Technology of Designing an Individual Educational Trajectory for Students with Disabilities

Abstract

Students with disabilities represent a highly heterogeneous group. The study was based on the hypothesis that creating variable special conditions for students with disabilities as part of the design of individual educational trajectories (IETs) will ensure the success of higher education for disabled people. The article describes the logic and stages of research on the creation and implementation of technology for designing an individual educational trajectory for students with disabilities. The materials were formed as a result of the implementation of the practice at Cherepovets State University over 5 years. Four IET options are described in detail, with each option concentrically increasing the conditions to account for the needs and capabilities of the student. The study involved 873 disabled people (765 applicants and 108 students). The study included assessing the requests of applicants with disabilities, designing and implementing individual educational trajectories, monitoring the adaptation and satisfaction of students, and evaluating the effectiveness of students with disabilities in mastering the educational program. The results obtained show an insufficient starting level of applicants’ readiness for the conscious construction of an individual educational trajectory. Additionally, data were obtained on the difficulties related to emotional and interpersonal adaptation for students with disabilities. Continuous dynamic monitoring of the requests from disabled individuals for special conditions and productive interaction among all participants in the design of IETs ensures improved adaptation indicators (statistically confirmed by the use of φ angular Fisher transformation), stability of the contingent of students with disabilities, and academic success.