Enabling the full participation of university students with disabilities: seeking best practices for a barrier-free language centre

Recent research has shown that 3.4% of university students in Finland have a diagnosed or observed illness or disability that affects their learning at the university level. The University of Jyväskylä Language Centre embarked on an organised, ongoing research and intervention project to enable appropriate teaching practices to suit the needs of all students. The process, thus far, has shown there is a need to clarify the rights and obligations of students and teachers to enable an atmosphere of mutual trust. A survey of the Language Centre teachers showed that all had taught students with disabilities during their university careers. Teachers wanted more information about disabilities, suc…

Planning teachers' professional development for global education 1

Group consultation was used with educators at different stages of their careers as an innovative research tool in the development of both pre- and in-service teacher training for world citizenship education. The themes identified by the teachers were quite broad, and included the need for more educational philosophy, varied educational methodology and the skills to collaborate with other teachers in order to create a “culture of consultation in schools”. Involving teachers in the field was found to be essential in identifying critical areas for training, as well as for appropriate means and implementation. A survey of seminar participants (n 35) showed new paths for development in the area …

Research to engage voices on the ground in educational development

The article discusses how a variety of qualitative methods could be used for investigating the engagement of the voices on the ground, where the change is expected to happen. It also reviews how qualitative research approaches involve students and teachers, the so-called “target groups” of educational development, as subjects, rather than objects. The qualitative methods are presented here for their potential in engaging the voices on the ground. Actor-centred inquiry and participatory action research consist of data collected, analysed and reported, in collaboration between researchers and the research subjects. Enabling the subjects as autonomous actors to take part in the analysis of the…

Human dignity in the learning environment : testing a sociological paradigm for a diversity-positive milieu with school starters

Educational research from Tanzania 1998–2008 concerning persons with disabilities: What can we learn?

The global Education For All process and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have increased the attention given to marginalised and excluded groups showing the need to enhance the education of persons with disabilities. In Sub-Saharan Africa a number of poorly disseminated studies investigate education of persons with disabilities. This paper provides an analysed overview of a decade of Tanzanian studies and reports on the education of persons with disabilities produced from 1998 to 2008. Key findings are highlighted and gaps in the research identified and suggestions are offered for future investigations. The education of persons with disabilities needs to be addre…

As Capable as Other Students: Tanzanian Women with Disabilities in Higher Education

Globally, persons with disabilities are underrepresented in higher education. In sub-Saharan Africa, where opportunities for higher education are especially limited, women are unlikely to continue their education. This research investigates women in Tanzanian higher education with the double marginalisation of being a woman and having disabilities. The women were interviewed on what factors enabled access and participation for their educational success. A thematic analysis of qualitative data was applied. All of the women interviewed were motivated to complete their degrees. Key enabling factors were encouragement from their families and previous teachers, full participation in student life…