Qualification of education specialists for 'inclusive education' in Saxony - a contribution to the development of an inclusion-sensitive university
Through the Education Specialists project, people with so-called cognitive impairments are trained as knowledge facilitators for teaching at universities.
The focus of the qualification measure is not on the impairment of the up-and-coming education specialists, but their qualification path and the associated opportunity to use, develop and exploit their individual potential at universities in an unimpeded manner.
As part of the process through which education specialists impart knowledge to students, teachers, experts and managers, examples are given not only of how inclusion can succeed in practice, but also of how it is experienced as a self-evident practice in the learning and teaching process. This actively designed reality permeates all areas of higher education.
The project consciously offers access to an educational institution, that, as a place of education, has an undisputed tradition of exclusion, produced by educational injustices.
Prejudices and various other barriers can be dismantled via the project. A broader awareness at the university for prevailing reasons for exclusion, which are perceived as 'natural' and which are caused by structural inequality and institutional discrimination, will result. Against this broader backdrop of knowledge, these conditions can be identified, analysed and conquered.
In this sense, the project can contribute to the full and effective participation of all university members, since it will significantly change and positively shape assumptions and perspectives on diversity.
The project can be understood as applied research that examines the described mechanisms pertaining to equal opportunity access to higher education, or mechanisms that prevent access to higher education, in order to establish an inclusive structure, culture and practice in academic education, continued education and beyond.
The qualification of the education specialists begins in February 2019 at TU Dresden. The beginning of the project was 01.08.2018.
The project is being conducted in cooperation with the Institute 'Inclusive Education' of the Christian Albrechts University of Kiel and the University of Leipzig, Faculty of Education, Pedagogy, Intellectual Impairments.