2016_03_08_jesus-sposito
Jesús Spósito: "20,695 people with disabilities are studying this academic year in on-site universities in Spain, 7% more than in 2014".
The technical director of the Social Council of the University of A Coruña closed the cycle 'Training to understand disability' of the University.
"The University is becoming more accessible for people with disabilities. If we look at the guide of Attention to Disability of Universia Foundation, currently in Spain there are 20,695 people with disabilities studying in on-site universities, 7% more than in 2014". This was stated at the University of Navarra by Jesús Spósito, director Technician of the Social Council of the University of A Coruña and director of project of the program 'Espazo compartido' of this same university center.
He also stressed that Spain's position in this regard is not very different from other European countries such as France or Germany. However, with regard to the inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities, not in official degrees, but in the perspective of university extension, Spain is being a pioneer with specific training programs aimed at these groups.
On the evolution of society's understanding of disability, Esposito stated that we are moving from an existentialist perspective to a pro-autonomy perspective:"We have gone from thinking that 'we have to help them' to empowering them, we are contributing to equipping people with disabilities with tools, which is much more manager because we get a citizen plenary session of the Executive Council and capable".
He also reminded that we have to see disability as an opportunity that generates value: "If we come to conceive disability as a talent and teach organizations to manage it, we will be able to change that social stigma. The core topic is in understanding that people with disabilities not only have rights, but also the capacity to contribute to the social, economic and cultural progress of a country".
Mr. Spósito participated in the last session of the cycle 'Training to understand disability', which this year has reached its third edition. The cycle, in which 400 people participated, including employees, students, associations of people with disabilities and people from different public schools in Navarra, was closed by the Alumni Vice President , Tomás Gómez-Acebo.