BARRIERS TO INCLUSIVE CULTURE IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

The article examines the main barriers (physical, academic, assessment-related, organizational and staffing, socio-psychological) that hinder the effective implementation of inclusion in the educational environment of higher education institutions. The impact of these barriers on the formation of an inclusive culture in educational institutions is examined. The results of an empirical study based on a student questionnaire survey (N = 98) are presented. The survey showed that 75% of students assess the accessibility of the educational process as medium/low (3–3.5 out of 5), which confirms existing problems with inclusiveness despite a high level of awareness. A gap has been identified between the declared goals of inclusion and the actual practice of its implementation at universities.