Educational inclusion and visual impairment: memories and preliminary findings of a process of institutional change

Abstract

This document summarizes the results of the follow-up done with professors, peers and relatives of two students with visual disabilities admitted during the first semester of 2017 for the programs of Psychology and social communication of the Politécnico Grancolombiano. In addition, the document shows the perceptions of the two students about their inclusion process and it´s evaluation of the pedagogical and administrative actions that have been implemented and those that are under development. Qualitative and quantitative measurements were carried out through interviews and the application of the Attitude Scale developed by Arias Gonzalez, Arias Martínez, Verdugo Alonso, Rubia Avi and Jenaro Ríos (2016) to professors and students. Finally, is taken under consideration the biweekly follow-up records done with the students to identify institutional changes derived from their admission and to design possible actions of institutional improvement in the process. The results of descriptive analysis of the collected data showed changes in the university’s inclusive culture, as well as in the educational practices of each one of the disciplines in which the students are linked. Undoubtedly, the change has been positive, there are small, but well-structured institutional advances and improvement actions are presented,
arising from the results of a first academic semester, which are in process of being implemented.