Students win ENLIGHT Inclusion Award for accessibility projects
(22-10-2024) Gaëlle Leon and Marie De Cordt win the ENLIGHT Inclusion Award. This award recognizes their efforts to tackle physical barriers for students with disabilities.
Students with disabilities are often confronted with barriers in their daily learning and living environment. Steep slopes that prevent access to lecture halls or inaccessible terraces at student restaurants have a major impact on their social and academic integration. Such obstacles are not only a physical challenge, but also a mental burden that can lead to feelings of isolation.
Tangible improvements
In response to these challenges, students Gaëlle Leon and Marie De Cordt started several initiatives. Gaëlle: “Through accessibility rounds, we try to create awareness of the needs of students and staff with a disability. On the other hand, we indicate what needs to be adjusted to make buildings more accessible. After our rounds, many adjustments have already been made on various campuses.”
In co-creation with student associations, Marie developed a Guide for Inclusive Events. Gaëlle: “Inclusion is often overlooked within general events. Thanks to this guide, student associations, and of course other Ghent University students, now have a starting point and a guide full of tips and tricks to make their events more inclusive.”
Furthermore, the students also launched the Meldpunt Versterkpunt. Ghent University students can use it to report obstacles that deny them access to buildings. An email with a photo and a description of the obstacle ensures that a solution is found quickly.
“Proud and honored”
The ENLIGHT Inclusion Award was presented during the ENLIGHT Teaching & Learning Conference at the University of Tartu, Estonia. Gaëlle received the award from Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk. Gaëlle: “What we do often seems like several small steps. When you receive an award like this, you really feel the importance of all the work we put into it and how important it is to put inclusion on the map in general. We are very proud of it.”
Marie: “This award gives us the recognition that we are on the right track and that our projects are appreciated. We feel very honored to be part of this. We hope that this award will also make more people within Ghent University aware of the work we do and of the fact that true inclusion can only be achieved if we work together with the entire university.”
