The National Centre for Research and Development

  Project title

Accessible MCSU

  Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej (Maria Curie-Skłodowska University) in Lublin

  Name of programme

Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development

  Competition

Accessible Higher Education Institution

  Project value

PLN 1 790 449.20

  Funding value

PLN 1 726 849.20

  Project delivery period

from 01/02/2020 until 30/09/2022

Have a look at the outcome of our work

 

 

 

 

What problem does our project solve?

The project responds to the need to increase the accessibility of the Higher Education Institution for the benefit of people with special needs in a variety of respects - architectural, communication, information, as well as what is extremely important at the level of increasing the awareness of the academic community.

As a part of the project, two Strategies were created to support organisational changes in accessibility at the higher education institution, i.e. the Social Responsibility Strategy of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin for Persons with Disabilities. Consciously and Responsibly - Education in Diversity and the Strategy for Universal Design at the University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska. Both documents were translated into English and Ukrainian. The three guides related to accessibility were developed. The strategies and other materials were posted at the link: https://www.umcs.pl/pl/publikacje-i-przewodniki,23566.htm. Both strategies are being implemented.

A series of 10 educational and informational films on studying and coping with difficult situations in terms of disability was created. Details can be found at: https://www.umcs.pl/pl/filmy,24969.htm

A series of panels/workshops were held to present knowledge on, inter alia, different forms of disability; importantly, self-advocates as well as good practices were used very frequently.

Through the organisation of study visits, the competences of the employees of the Disability Team were raised thanks to a cooperation with Higher Education Institutions in Poland and abroad, e.g. European University Viadrina, Frankfurt an der Oder, Gediminas Technical University in Vilnius.

An important aspect of the operation of the Higher Education Institution is the care of the mental health of students and employees at the level of individual support, but also a creation of appropriate spaces. To this end, inter alia, renovation and adaptation work was carried out to fully meet the needs of people with disabilities (OzN) of the following rooms: 2 training rooms, a room for a psychologist, 2 rooms for students with mobility impairments in the Student House and 2 mental comfort rooms in two Faculties. For the purpose of increasing safety of persons with disabilities, 9 evacuation chairs for people with disabilities (OzN) were purchased, together with training of persons to operate them.

To address communication needs, including digital ones, the MobiSupport application of the MCSU was created. The application facilitates the management of support for applicants, students, doctoral students and employees with special needs at the MCSU. Details can be found at: https://www.umcs.pl/pl/aplikacja-mobiwsparcie-umcs,23326.htm.

Furthermore, on the main page of the Higher Education Institution, there is a point (icon), when clicked, that refers the interested party directly to the place related to the accessibility of the Higher Education Institution.

Who will benefit from the outcomes of the project?

As a part of the project, 88 employees of the MCSU improved their knowledge and competencies in terms of solutions for increasing the accessibility of the Higher Education Institution in social, organisational and didactic terms. Moreover, about 350 persons participated in a series of 10 meetings (discussion panels, workshops) with experts in the field of raising awareness and knowledge on accessibility in space and society for people with disabilities.

The results of the project can be used by anyone wishing, for example, to improve their knowledge of accessibility or who has a need for psychological support. Among other things, employees can use the publications produced as a part of the project implementation. All materials developed are available on the project website. The solutions introduced have a visible impact on the entire academic population of the MCSU, in particular students with disabilities.  The results of the project, e.g. the services of a psychologist, can be used by students. The results of the project are also used by the employees of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Psychological Support. The quiet rooms at the individual faculties can be used by students, doctoral students or employees.

The rooms prepared within the Babilon Student Residence Hall are used by students with disabilities.

The prepared sensory room includes, inter alia, calming and relaxation classes conducted by psychologists.

What was the most challenging aspect of the implementation of the project for us?

The major challenges in the implementation of the project were the pandemic - a situation completely impossible to forecast in any risk analysis of the project. On the one hand, there was great concern, uncertainty, prolonged restrictions, and on the other, the need to adapt the structures, resources and organisation of work in the project to the prevailing situation. A huge challenge was the need to change the forms of support possible and thus ensure that the effects planned in the project were achieved.

Our advice to other Applicants

When implementing an accessibility project, people with disabilities must be consulted and decision makers must be included in the project implementation.