Home – Home – Jornals – "Philosophy of Education" 2014 number 3

The article describes the possibility of reconstruction of the educational environment of universities to improve its social potential in conditions of transition to inclusive education. There is presented a new paradigm in the implementation of the policy of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities on the example of Polish and Russian system of higher education, compared problems and possible ways of their overcoming. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities declares higher education as an important tool to ensure social inclusion of persons with disabilities (in 2012 the Convention was ratified in Russia). Analysis of inclusion in Poland shows the presence of the main problem while implementing the Convention, namely, the exclusion of persons with disabilities on the environment in the learning process. It is required to solve the problems of educational programmes adaptation and the creation of a barrier-free environment, both in Poland and Russia. The new paradigm of disability, as opposed to traditional, draws attention to the ways of interaction between the disabled and the environment, society as a whole. The basis of innovative social policy (formed on the concept of civil rights) is to reform social institutions, as well as higher education, to include the disabled. A system of social services that people with disabilities can delegate its limited capabilities and allow them to live independently in the community is needed in the infrastructure of society. Thus, the learning process should be accompanied by a professional rehabilitation support. Availability of specialized teachers and psychologists in the structure of higher education institutions will be able to provide real support in the reconstruction of the educational environment and optimize educational programs.