Accessible Higher Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Slovenia with Slovenian Sign Language support - Slovenia

Despite legislative improvements and the constitutional protection of the Slovenian sign language, accessibility of higher education for the deaf and hard of hearing in Slovenia remains a major challenge.

In an effort to address this issue, as part of the development of solutions for the inclusion of non-traditional groups of students in higher education (under the Development Pillar of Funding measure -RSF: Development and implementation of the adaptation of study materials to the needs of non-traditional groups - S.C.1.2.), the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana decided on its own initiative to translate part of the lectures into sign language in order to encourage potential deaf and hard of hearing students to enroll at the faculty.

The adaptation of the bachelor study programme Political science - Public policies and administration is aimed at improving the inclusion of non-traditional groups of students, with a particular focus on blind, partially sighted, deaf and hard of hearing students (S.C.1.2.). The adaptation is based on the principle of UDL (Universal Design for Learning), a model of inclusive practice that aims to offer students the opportunity to achieve learning objectives and acquire competences through the use of a variety of pedagogical methods and material formats, and the possibility to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of (student-tailored) ways. The aim of the adaptation is to provide students with the opportunity to achieve learning objectives and acquire competences through the use of a variety of pedagogical methods and material formats, and the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge in a variety of (student-tailored) ways. This approach creates an inclusive learning environment that empowers students to be more independent and less in need of support.

In the elective course Youth and Politics of this study programme, adjustments have been made to better integrate non-traditional student groups into the study process. Due to financial constraints and limited founding, 20% of the course content has been adapted, with plans for further adaptations in future projects with increased funding.

Youth and politics for the deaf and hard of hearing (RSF – 4).

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