Our mission:

Learning to care, care for learning – The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) functions within the organizational structure of Babes-Bolyai University (Rector’s Office). OSD facilitates and supports the inclusion of students with educational needs into the academic life, by identifying these needs and by informing the academic personnel about the learning needs of students with disabilities.

Values we promote: care, inclusion, diversity, respect, focus on the individual needs, accessibility and collaboration.

 Definitions of disabilities:

• According to the World Health Organization (2001) „disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Impairment is a problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations. Thus, disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives”.

Key principles for accessibility and inclusion through BSD

In our efforts to support equal access to education and inclusion in academic life, we follow fundamental principles that reflect both current legislation and the university’s commitment to students with disabilities:

• Accessible Communication: We ensure that all information and materials are available in a variety of formats, including nonverbal languages, Braille, audio format, large print, plain language, and augmentative and alternative media. This allows for equitable communication for all students.
• Diverse Language: We support the use of sign languages and other forms of nonverbal language, in addition to spoken language, to facilitate interactions within the university setting.
• Reasonable Accommodation: We provide appropriate modifications and accommodations in each student’s specific context to ensure equitable access to educational rights and services. Thus, CSD supports inclusion without discrimination on the basis of disability, ensuring equal rights and freedoms.
• Universal Design and Inclusive Design: We promote the design of university programs, services and environments so that they are usable by all people without the need for special adjustments. Universal design ensures generalized accessibility, while inclusive design responds to the unique needs of each user, capitalizing on the diversity of students.

How we support accessibility and inclusion of students with disabilities at UBB

• Consultancy to facilitate access for students with disabilities to the teaching-learning and assessment process
  • We provide support to identify the best solutions for the accessibility of the built environment, in line with current legislation, to ensure equal access for students with disabilities. These solutions include ramps, elevators, tactile carpets, digital wayfinding systems, systems for the hearing impaired in secretariats and assistive buttons.
• Providing individualized or group services
  • We provide specific individual or group support to address and resolve academic and social difficulties that may arise in the context of disability, ensuring equity in learning.
• Workshops for university teachers, administrative staff and typical students
  • We organize workshops and provide detailed resources to support academics, administrative staff and typical students in adapting courses and teaching materials, thus contributing to a better understanding of the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities.
• Information activities for teachers and administrative staff
  • We carry out activities to inform teachers and administrative staff about the educational needs of students with disabilities and to help implement inclusive practices.
• Information and guidance sessions to promote admission to Babeș-Bolyai University
  • We organize information and guidance sessions in high schools for students with disabilities, involving volunteers and students from UBB, thus promoting access to higher education.
• Interpreting in mimico-gestual language
  • We provide sign language interpreting services in courses and seminars to facilitate access for hearing-impaired students.
• Direct assistance for exam participation
  • We recommend the adaptation of examination conditions and provide direct assistance, including the presence of an assistant to accompany the student, to create a fair assessment environment for students with disabilities.
• Adaptation of course materials
  • We produce accessible materials through the Access Technology Assistance Center for the Visually Impaired, including Braille, audio, tactile graphics, large font text, and other formats that allow equal access to academic content.
• Initiating and promoting partnerships
  • We develop and promote activities and programmes in partnership with other services and departments of the University, public institutions and civil organizations, all aimed at supporting equal access to education for people with disabilities.

How to contact the CSD team:

Lect. univ. Dr. Marian PĂDURE – CSD Responsible

marian.padure [at] ubbcluj.ro, bsd [at] ubbcluj.ro

0723 245 385 385, www.facebook.com/csdubbcluj

Miclea EMANUELA EMANUELA – Special Education Teacher

emanuela.miclea [at] ubbcluj.ro

Dr. Răducu RUȘEȚ – Documentarist

ruset.raducu [at] ubbcluj.ro