Inclusion and higher education: a flourishing future?

Abstract

The challenges university faces nowadays are manifold. One of these is encouraging
the processes of social inclusion, in a perspective of lifelong
learning for all and of openness of the weak as well. Undoubtedly, in the last
decade, applications from students with disability in Italian and foreign universities have risen steadily. However, this access presents problematic areas
and often it does not turn out in an active participation of the most vulnerable
ones, an issue which should not be underestimated. For these reasons,
this PhD research, still in progress, aims to explore, through the use
of a new methodological procedure starting from the Capability Approach,
capabilities of students with disabilities to learn and to live inclusive experiences
in the academic context, represented in particular by the University
of Turin. The purpose is to provide for upgrading practices and services
offered by the University, in order to strengthen the agency of such students
and to support the link between their time at university and their independent
living.