Supportmodel

The introduction of the new support model in compulsory education and the additional resources made available for it provide an opportunity to optimise the scheme for students with disabilities in higher education as well.

From 1 September 2017, the transitional measures that were in place during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years regarding GON (integrated education) guidance for students with disabilities in higher education expired, giving way to a new ‘inclusive higher education’ regulation.

That regulation establishes that from academic year 2017- 2018, guidance for students with disabilities will become a clear mandate within the policies of all colleges and universities. The institutions themselves are responsible for operationalising the support model inclusive higher education.

With the guideline ‘Support model inclusive higher education: from policy to practice’, SIHO informs institutions about the new regulation, and offers information and inspiration to translate the policy into practice.

At the request of Flemish minister of then Education Hilde Crevits, the SIHO evaluated the concrete implementation of the new regulation. The SIHO report shows that the new regulation has led to many benefits in practice, both for the student, the educational institution and the supervisors. Of course, there are still specific growth opportunities on which the SIHO is in further consultation with the Flemish government.