Social Justice at the UIB: Equity- and Equality-based Teaching
The UIB—your university—is committed to social justice. But what does this mean and why is it important for the academic world? Social justice can only be achieved through the awareness of two essential values to our teaching: equity and equality.
The Support for People with Special Needs Office is a UIB Service aimed at ensuring the inclusion of those with a disability in higher education. By taking student diversity as our starting point, we provide support to students and help them successfully keep pace with their university degree studies. Specificities do not impact value: everybody is worthy and able.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa as a Teaching Metaphor for Special Needs Support
Teaching is the foundation that supports a unique tower. Every student is a tower that remains upright thanks to solid foundations—teaching that ensures any vulnerability receives support.
As in real life, the problem in Pisa is the ground beneath the tower, not the building itself. In this sense, the UIB aims to be truly inclusive and diverse by shoring up the foundations of each of the towers on our campus day by day. The Support for People with Special Needs Office guarantees the rights of all those who wish to construct their future at the university: your future. This is why it promotes quality teaching based on equal opportunities where all students have a place.
It is not special education. It is education for all. It is inclusivity.
Progressing towards a Fairer World
Special needs are not a problem but rather part of the solution. Teaching can contribute to this solution by supporting all students, with a more focused approach with certain groups. We are clear about one thing: there are no disabled individuals, only disabling environments.
What is the UIB working towards?
We are committed to inclusive values:
- Solidarity
- Sustainability
- Equality
- Equity
- Hope
And we will achieve all this together.
A more inclusive university can help build a more inclusive society.