ІNCLUSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PHILOSOPHICAL AND SOCIAL CONTEXT

Abstract

The article analyses the problem of implementing inclusion in higher education in various developed countries. The author reviews the main international declarative and legal documents that form the basis for the implementation of the principles of inclusion in society in general and in the educational sector in particular. The author traces the connection between changes in public consciousness and activities of higher education institutions in the respective countries with regard to the adoption of the principles of equality and inclusion. It has been found that the implementation of the principles of inclusion in higher education is possible in societies with a high level of community well-being, as evidenced by the higher education systems of highly developed countries that are at the forefront of promoting inclusive university education. That is, inclusive practice in higher education, which is not a compulsory educational level, is developing thanks to social activism and support from government institutions. In fact, the task of the university is to provide a favourable inclusive educational space for a student with special needs. The author draws attention to the fact that promoting an inclusive form of education in a higher education institution should not impair the quality of educational services and limit the level of professional competencies acquired by a person with special needs. The author identifies the key problem of inclusion in higher education - achieving stability in its provision. The author believes that this stability can be achieved through the implementation of the following steps: equal admission of an applicant with special needs; effective training in an inclusive educational space with the acquisition of a full set of professional competencies and the ability to implement the acquired professional elements in professional activities. In the author's opinion, the current progress on the part of Ukrainian society has received a peculiar vector sequence: formation of an understanding of the demand for higher education for people with special needs; search for effective and efficient inclusive formats for organising the educational process in a higher education institution; creation of a unified and universal system of inclusive higher education, which will be integrated into the local educational strategies of a particular higher education institution. This algorithm harmonises the aspirations and wishes of a person with special needs and the capabilities and transformations of the university.