Embedding inclusive education initiatives and access routes into the higher education landscape in the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

The Inclusive National Higher Education Forum (INHEF) was established by stakeholders who want to develop real and meaningful higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities across the Republic of Ireland. The impetus towards, and the rationale for inclusive education represents the confluence of several different factors, including social, political, and educational ideological paradigms. INHEF has been collaborating for inclusion since 2018 with a shared vision and mission for the Irish higher education sector. The inclusion of adults with intellectual disabilities in higher education requires real and meaningful change within the university sector. Together, INHEF is committed to celebrating diversity and nurturing societal equ ality through equity of access to quality education. However, the academy must open its doors to people with intellectual disabilities and thereby create a rich learning environment which cherishes all the people of our nation equally. This paper seeks to present the barriers to establishing programmes of inclusive education for adults with intellectual disabilit ies and developing a fully inclusive higher education sector within the Irish landscape from a micro -level, to a macro, socio-polit ical view. Additionally, this paper will introduce some of the opportunities which are afforded to higher education providers by a collaborative forum such as the INHEF, and it is intended to highlight key developments in the Irish context.