Inclusion at the university from the perspective of students with special needs: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study that was conducted to analyze the statements of students with special needs about their process of inclusion in a university in Santa Catarina State, concerning pedagogical factors, the physical structure of the institution and interpersonal relations. Three students in health related fields at that
university were the subjects of the study, and data was collected through structured interviews. Theoretical support came primarily from the studies of Stainback and Stainback (1999), Mittler (2003) and Beyer (2006). The analysis was characterized as thematic dialog. The results indicate that the students with special needs studied opted for academic fields that provided opportunities for approximation and contribution with the people served. It was found that the university performs an important role in the process of inclusion of people with special needs, that the search for college courses by people with special needs has grown; and that the university studied still needs to adapt physical structures and pedagogical factors to offer students with special educational needs training in the professional positions they seek.