Telematic universities increasingly popular with disabled and SLD students, and among those who choose them the 60% plus it comes to graduation. All the data in the AteneiOnline.it research.
In the 5 years prior to the latest statistical surveys, the number of students with disabilities or SLD enrolled in a university course has more than doubled. Even more significant is the growth in the same period in the number of students enrolled in online universities, more than tripled. Among the latter there is also an incidence of students with disabilities or SLD more than a third higher than that recorded at traditional non-state universities (ANVUR data / USTAT).
It is in this context that AteneiOnline.it, Italian portal of reference in Distance University Education, found it necessary to create a in-depth research dedicated to disabled and SLD students in telematic universities, and to the support services reserved for them by them.
According to the research results, ben 80% of the telematic universities analyzed already offer students with disabilities or SLD additional time to take the exams, as well as the possibility of using compensatory tools during the tests. Several universities also offer assistance in writing and reading during the exam, as well as the right to choose the most accessible examination method. The economic concessions offered by various universities are also significant, with cost reductions ranging from 25% of university installments up to the total abatement of these.
From the analysis conducted, the services offered seem to significantly facilitate the student's life and progress towards graduation: it emerges in fact, for telematics, a degree attainment rate by students with disabilities and SLD of 60% higher than that recorded in traditional universities.
Alex Gaetani
Read here Data and analysis in full version.
Source: Press release Universities online