Inclusive approach on higher education: challenges and experiences of a nucleus for faculty and student support

desafios e experiências de um núcleo de apoio discente e docente

Abstract

In Higher Education, inclusive practice is recent, this totally new pa-norama requires that higher education institutions develop support and follow-up policies with actions that go beyond the availability of vacancies. In addition to this, the legal requirements for course evaluation and recognition also require evidences of inclusive practices in the university environment. The objective of this paper is to describe the performance of NADD – Núcleo de Apoio Discente e Docente (Nucleus for Faculty and Student Support) of two University Centers of the city of São Paulo. NADD was created in 2015 and, since then, develops inclusion actions in the university context with a program titled “Atenção Especial” (Special Attention). The focus of this program is the reception and support of students with disabilities, learning difficulties and other disorders through identification, intervention strategies, referral and orientation. Currently, 193 students guided by a service protocol that includes several actions to favor the inclusion of these students since their initial interview accompany the program: reinforcement, peer, leveling, student support courses, referral to health clinics, partnership with health professionals, physical accessibility and assistive technology. The results of the program have promoted, in addition to the broad awareness of the entire academic community, the favoring of inclusion and permanence of these students in a receptive, inclusive and legitimate environment.