Being a student with Specific Learning Disorder at university: some results of an exploratory survey within the University of Bologna

Abstract

The research aims to explore the state of the art of educational inclusion for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) at the University of Bologna from the point of view of some students with SLDs, exploring their perceptions of and experiences with equal opportunity support practices to access content and accessible educational materials and environments. An analysis of the most recent scientific literature, and of the main surveys carried out at a national level in Italy, shows that, especially since the new millennium, the number of students with disabilities and SLDs is constantly increasing in Italian universities. Consequently, over the last 15 years, some reference frameworks have been promoted at an institutional level to support the design of accessible educational environments and resources. Moreover, considering the widespread nature of new digital technologies, the availability of services to support inclusion is broader than ever. It is in this landscape, still full of challenges and questions, that the following investigation comes to fruition.