EAP: The Equal Access Unit for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs begins operation

At the Hellenic Open University, the Equal Access Unit for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs will soon be operational, as part of the implementation of the project “Supporting Interventions for Equal Access for the Disabled in the E.A.P.”. The mission of the Unit is to ensure the full participation of Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs in all educational, research and administrative activities carried out at our University.

For the activation and medium-term support of the Unit, in excellent cooperation with the Region of Western Greece, a proposal was submitted with the aim of absorbing an amount of 1,019,092 euros from the new NSRF 2021-2027 for the support of Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs.

The Region of Western Greece approved and included with its decision no. of social cohesion and human resources in the Region of Western Greece”. Through the inclusion of the above Act and the activation of the Equal Access Unit, the Foundation aims to implement one of the main forecasts and actions of its “Strategic Planning for the period 2022-2025” which concerns Student Care and “inclusion” with equal treatment of people with special educational needs.

Indicatively, in addition to the Psychosocial Support Services already offered by KESYPSY, the following services are mentioned:

• Availability of a list of accessible books,

• Electronic Accessibility to educational platforms,

• Training of staff and volunteers to support VATS and students with SEN

• Support students with deafness or hard of hearing in Greek Sign Language

• Providing individual assistive IT technologies and facilitating electronic accessibility, etc.