INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION: REFLECTIONS FROM A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

The number of enrollments of people with specific educational needs in higher education has grown significantly due to public policies that emphasize, stimulate and promote entry into higher education institutions, stimulating a modification of such institutions towards educational inclusion. Considering these aspects, this article aims to discuss inclusive education in Higher Education, especially highlighting the legislative path and the experience of a university in the Brazilian Northeast. The methodology for construction includes the review of narrative, qualitative literature, involving the analysis of academic texts that deal with inclusive Education in Higher Education. As an illustration of the effectiveness of these aspects, the article also aims to present, as an experience report, how the process of implementation of the Accessibility and Inclusion Center of the University of Pernambuco Campus Petrolina (NAI-Petrolina) took place. The initial results of this process of implementation point to the solidification of inclusive initiatives, through the recognition by students of the existence of the NAI, as well as with the increase of partnerships and adherence of professors to inclusive pedagogical actions and guidelines, from various courses on the Campus. This represents a significant advance for the institution towards the ideals of inclusive education, in line with Brazilian legislation, and brings points of necessary improvements for an inclusive process in the higher education sphere.