Specific Educational Needs
“Everyone has the right to education with a guarantee of the right to equal access opportunities and academic success”,
Article 74 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic of 2 April 1976.
According to the principles of an Inclusive School, the University of Algarve has implemented a set of specific conditions based on the recognition of the right to difference, while maintaining the high parameters and quality of the teaching and learning process.
The Office
The Support Office for Students with Specific Educational Needs is made up of a teacher who coordinates the office, a teacher from each of the organisational units and a representative from the Social Action Services of the University of Algarve.
GAENEE functions
- Welcome students with Specific Educational Needs;
- Analyse students' requirements, assess their specific needs and prepare a Technical-Pedagogical report in order to assign the student Specific Educational Needs status;
- Work alongside teachers and management bodies of the organic units to mitigate disadvantages and respond to their needs;
- Monitor students with Specific Educational Needs;
- Identify technical aids/supports;
- Promote awareness/ run training sessions within the educational community;
- Seek to eliminate structural barriers;
- Ensure the application and compliance with the Students with Specific Educational Needs Statute at UAlg.
The aim is:
- That all students have an equal and quality education;
- That all students have access to an education that respects their needs and characteristics;
- To facilitate students' transition to active life, so that they are included in society, to which they rightfully belong, with the greatest autonomy and independence.
What are specific educational needs?
Students with Specific Educational Needs are considered to be those who, because they have certain specific conditions, may need a set of particular educational resources, during all or part of their school career, in order to facilitate their academic, personal and academic and social development. It should be noted that these conditions can be permanent or temporary.
In this sense, it is necessary these students are granted equal rights so that they can participate in all spheres of academic life successfully.
In order to promote their inclusion, it is important to adopt appropriate and anti-discriminatory measures and solutions. As such, a set of measures have been defined to be applied to students with Specific Educational Needs to guarantee their access and the continuation of studies at the University of Algarve (see Support Regulation for Students with Special Educational Needs).
The application of these measures should be considered in accordance with the principle that the education of people with Specific Educational Needs should take place in the least restrictive environment possible, without, however, giving up the high parameters and quality of the teaching and learning process.
