Inclusive Universities. Exploring the well-being of university students with special needs in Albania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.373.386Keywords:
university, students with special needs, inclusion, social wellbeing, AlbaniaAbstract
Aim. The purpose of this study is to explore the issue of the inclusion of university students with special needs (USSN) in universities and their social well-being, based on the case of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana in the Republic of Albania.
Methods. The methodology used is based on the combination of secondary sources, with primary ones, provided through the interview of the academic and administrative staff, parents and students.
Results. The study highlighted that in the Republic of Albania important positive steps have been taken in improving the legislation of Higher Education regarding the inclusion of UUUUSSN in universities. This has been successfully adapted to the Unaiversity Statute of the University of Tirana. Also, the study highlighted that even from the infrastructural aspect, some opportunities have been created for USSN in this faculty, but they are still insufficient. The lack of protocols and individual programmes for the treatment of USSN is a necessity. Regardless of these shortcomings and some people’s skepticism about the participation of USSN in university education, a friendly climate is created in this faculty, in function of the social well-being of USSN.
Conclusions. As a conclusion, the adaptation of the philosophy of inclusion in concrete practices is met with numerous challenges. Regarding the creation of a friendly climate in function of the social welfare of USNS, the case of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tirana constitutes a positive model, which should be promoted.
Downloads
References
Agran, M., Jackson, L., Kurth, J., Ryndak, D., Burnette, K., Jameson, M., Zagona, A., Fitzpatrick, H., & Wehmeyer, M. (2020). Why aren’t students with severe disabilities being placed in general education classrooms: Examining the relations among classroom placement, learner outcomes, and other factors. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 45(1), 4–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796919878134
Bahçalı, T., & Kasap, C. (2023). Özel gereksinimli üniversite öğrencilerinin öğrencilik deneyimlerinin incelenmesi [Examining university experiences of students with special needs]. Dicle Üniversitesi Ziya Gökalp Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 44, 41-59.
Barnard-Brak, L., Lechtenberger, D., & Lan, W. Y. (2010). Accommodation strategies of college students with disabilities. Qualitative Report, 15(2), 411-429.
Duka, A., Leka, K., Vampa, M., Bursová, J., & Jenisová, Z. (2024). The impact of climate in inclusive classrooms - influencing the motivation of students with special needs. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(1), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.1.303.314
Jarmoch, E. Z., Pavlíková, M., Gažiová, M., Paľa, G., & Ďatelinka, A. (2022). Social work and socio-pathological phenomena in the school environment. Acta Missiologica, 16(2), 130-145.
Keyes, C. L. M. (1998). Social well-being. Social Psychology Quarterly, 61(2), 121–140. https://doi.org/10.2307/2787065
Keyes, C. L. M. (2009). Toward a science of mental health. In S. J. Lopez & C. R. Snyder (Eds.), Oxford handbook of positive psychology (2nd ed., pp. 89–95). Oxford University Press.
Kondrla, P., Lojan, R., Maturkanič, P., Nickolaeva Biryukova, Y., & González Mastrapa, E. (2023). The Philosophical Context of Curriculum Innovations with a Focus on Competence Development. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(2), 78-92. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.2.78.92
Kuvendi i Shqipërisë (2015). Ligji për Arsimin e lartë në Republikën e Shqipërisë nr. 80/2015 [Law for Higher Education in the Republic of Albania nr. 80, 2015]. https://arsimi.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AKTET_NENLIGJORE.pdf
Leka, K. (2022). “Gawe” factors affecting teachers’ barriers to professional development: The Albanian case. European Journal of Training and Development Studies, 9(3), 16-28.
Olney, M. F., Kennedy, J., Brockelman, K., & Newsom, M. A. (2004). Do you have a disability? A population-based test of acceptance, denial, and adjustment among adults with disabilities in the U.S. Journal of Rehabilitation, 70(1), 4–9.
Quick, D., Lehmann, J., & Deniston, T. (2003). Opening doors for students with disabilities on community college campuses: What have we learned? What do we still need to know? Community College Journal of Research & Practice, 27(9-10), 815- 827.
Riddell, S., & Weedon, E. (2011). Access to higher education for disabled students: A policy success story? In S. Haines & D. Ruebain (Eds.), Education, disability and social policy (pp. 131–146). Policy Press.
Salend, S. (2006). Creating inclusive classrooms: effective and reflective practices (6th ed.). Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Teghe, D., & Rendell, K. (2005). Social wellbeing: A literature review. School of Social Work & Welfare Studies.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and Ministry of Education and Science Spain (1994). The Salamanca statement and framework for action on special needs education world conference on special needs education: access and quality. https://www.european-agency.org/sites/default/files/salamanca-statement-and-framework.pdf
Universiteti i Tiranës. (2018a). Statuti i Universitetit të Tiranës, 2018 [Statute of University of Tirana, 2018]. https://unitir.edu.al/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Statuti_2018.pdf
Universiteti i Tiranës. (2018b). Strategjia e zhvillimit të Universitetit të Tiranës 2018-2023. [Strategy of development of University of Tirana 2018-2023]. https://unitir.edu.al/wp-content/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs/web/viewer.php?file=https%3A%2F%2Funitir.edu.al%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F04%2FStrategjia-e-zhvillimit-UT-2018-2023.pdf&download=false&print=false&openfile=false
Zabeli, N., Kaçaniku, F., & Koliqi, D. (2021). Towards the inclusion of students with special needs in higher education: Challenges and prospects in Kosovo. Cogent Education, 8(1), Article 1859438. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2020.1859438
Zenelaga, B., Miftari, V., & Shehu Lokaj, A. (2024). New trends in students’ reading habbits. Human Research in Rehabilitation, 14(1), 177-192. http://dx.doi.org/10.21554/hrr.042417
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Brunilda Zenelaga, Aida Goga, Roman Králik
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
CC-BY
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. All authors agree for publishing their email adresses, affiliations and short bio statements with their articles during the submission process.
