BERT info

Background 

Approximately 15% of the global population, over 1 billion people, live with disabilities, with 80% residing in developing countries, facing limited access to healthcare, education, and employment. Despite global efforts, inclusive education encounters challenges in creating an accessible environment for people with disabilities due to inaccessible facilities, lack of assistive technologies, societal stereotypes, and negative attitudes toward people with disabilities. On the other hand, Education is a fundamental human right that must be accessible to all individuals rather than being reserved as a privilege for a few individuals. Hence, the BERT project aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities article 24 and Sustainable Development Goal 4, ensuring equitable and inclusive education for all while supporting Finland's development policy to eradicate poverty and leave no one behind.

Objectives

The project's main objective is to contribute towards the enhanced capacity of higher education institutions in East Africa to break down barriers hindering the full inclusion of persons with disabilities into society in the digital era.​

Specific Objectives 

  • To strengthen the capacity of partner HEIs to support the inclusion of students with disabilities through promoting multidisciplinary rehabilitation, accessibility (inc. digital), and assistive technology in the education system. ​
  • To improve the quality of education and capacity of the partner institutes to develop and create innovative solutions to barrier-free learning environments. ​

Project Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will undertake various activities, including:

  • A landscape analysis will be conducted to assess the regional requirements for fostering inclusive education, thereby identifying key areas for intervention and improvement.
  • Establishing a regional stakeholder network to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences, particularly in mapping and enhancing accessible digital learning tools and assistive technologies.
  • Implementing the necessary pedagogical and curriculum amendments will be made interdisciplinary to accommodate the diverse learning needs of individuals with disabilities.
  •  Efforts will be made to increase the participation of persons with disabilities within partner higher education institutions, thereby promoting inclusivity at all levels.
  •  Key findings from the project will be disseminated, and materials developed will be shared widely to foster awareness and understanding of inclusive education practices.

Partners 

Jamk University of Applied Sciences (Jamk)- Coordinator 

Jamk is a Finnish higher education institution in Jyväskylä, Finland. It offers various bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in technology, business, health and social studies, and culture. JAMK focuses on providing practical and industry-relevant education, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning experiences. Currently, the University has over 8,500 students and 700 employees. Read more. 

Institute of Rehabilitation is part of the School of Health and Social Studies at Jamk University. The Institute is a center for education, development, and research in multidisciplinary rehabilitation.  It advocates for digital-first rehabilitation that empowers people to manage their health, well-being, and rehabilitation needs. Currently, over 850 students are studying rehabilitation. Read more.  

Tampere University is a community of 21,000 students and over 4,000 staff members. The university was created in 2019 through a merger between the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology with seven faculties. Tampere University is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. Almost all internationally recognized fields of study are represented at the University. Readmore 

The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) is a public university with the School of Education (SoE) offering a range of specialized programs, including diplomas in Inclusive and Special Needs Education, Physical Education and Sport Sciences, and Early Childhood Education. SoE also provides various degree programs and recently introduced master's degrees in education, focusing on topics such as Youth, Gender, and Development, Teaching Kiswahili to speakers of other languages, and Language Education. Students pursuing the Diploma in Inclusive and Special Needs Education receive Community-Based Inclusive Development training covering disability and rehabilitation. Readmore

The University of Rwanda (UR)

The University of Rwanda (UR) has a vision to be a leading University that develops highly enterprising graduates prepared and dedicated to building a more just and sustainable society locally, nationally, and globally, with appropriate innovations that advance quality of life. The Regional Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and eHealth (CEBE) is part of the University of Rwanda. It is conceived as an institution that will provide administrative leadership, intellectual capacity, and the resource infrastructure required to accelerate the delivery of cost-effective, technology-supported healthcare services in Rwanda and the surrounding region. Read more