The National Star Model of Accessibility Support Centre for University Students in Montenegro

1. Support and Inclusion of students with disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Montenegro The National Star Model of Accessibility Support Centre for University Students in Montenegro Prof. RamoŠendelj, University of Donja Gorica, Montenegro ramo.sendelj@gmail.com Ivana Ognjanović, PhD, University Mediterranean, Montenegro ivana.ognjanovic@unimediteran.net Prof. Lefkothea Kartasidou, University of Macedonia, Greece lefka@uom.edu.gr

2. I- Introduction II- Adaptive systems process for developing support systems for students with disabilities in Montenegrin HEIs through III-National Assistive Star Model IV- Implementation V- Future work and Discussion

3. I- Introduction • In many countries, university regulations, teaching processes and student organisations are adopted in order to provide full support for students with disabilities providing equal opportunities for studying, acquiring new knowledge and skills, and expanding social links and connections • Even though the recommendations are clearly established and reference models of assistive support centres are developed in many countries, developing countries are still lagging behind in the provision of support to SwDs • TEMPUS project titled ‘Support and inclusion of students with disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in MNE’.

4. Main challenges in Montenegro (i) the absence of a coherent and integrated system of financial and benefits support for students studying at HEI’s, (ii) the lack of a progressive and holistic support system – one that bridges ‘transition stages’ between school-higher education and work; (iii) the lack of specialized administrative and academic staff trained to give proper support to SwDs; (iv) the low level of technological infrastructure intended to facilitate the inclusion of students in HEIs; (v) poorly-developed pedagogical support for guidance and counselling; (vi) variability in the provision of environmental support infrastructure, such as signage, ramps and specialised accommodation facilities; (vii) the lack of a coherent structure to support collaborative action between different stakeholder groups; and (viii) the lack of opportunities to support greater awareness of the needs of SwDs. • STAR MODEL of students’ support : Student Advisory Office (SAO) as a central organization with branches organised as specific Units at each HEI.

5. II-Adaptive systems process for developing support systems for students with disabilities in Montenegrin HEIs through

6. III- National Assistive Star Model The Strategy Framework should address the following regulatory reforms: • The absence of a coherent and integrated system of financial and benefits support for students studying at HEI’s • The lack of a progressive and holistic support system – one that bridges ‘transition stages’ between school-higher education and work • The lack of specialized administrative and academic staff trained to give proper support to students with disabilities • The low level of technological infrastructure intended to facilitate the inclusion of students in HEI • Poorly-developed pedagogical support for guidance and counselling • Variability in the provision of environmental support infrastructure, such as signage, ramps and specialised accommodation facilities • The lack of a coherent structure to support collaborative action between different stakeholder groups • The lack of opportunities to support greater awareness of the needs of students with disabilities

9. IV -Implementation • Charter for Students with Disabilities • Student Advisory Office (SAO) Medical and Psychological Support Service. Transportation assistance of students with disabilities. Accommodation in halls of residence/dormitories. Rights and duties assistance - HEIs support to SAO Administration Unit Teaching Unit Computer Centre for Students with Disabilities - HEI’s law regulative - Stakeholder Forum

10. V- Future Work and Discussion • Future plans of the Accessibility Unit of the University of Athens and potential extensions of our model include: – The creation of a digital library with accessible transcripts, and its integration with other digital libraries of the same content. – Development of a larger accessible educational material production unit, in order to quickly produce all necessary formats (like Braille, DAISY, large prints) and in larger quantities. – Funding Assistive Technologies for all the disabled students who need them. Electronic archives for disabled students merged with the general student records of the University. – The creation of an Open Source AT community. – Participation in new research and development projects. – Focusing on Global Academic Networking for knowledge dissemination and exchange.

11. QUESTIONS? Support and Inclusion of students with disabilities at Higher Education Institutions in Montenegro