Portsmouth PhD student advocates for disabled voices in education at UNESCO event

An autistic Portsmouth doctoral student has advocated for embedding disabled voices in education policy and practice in front of global experts and educators. 

Juliette Gudknecht, who is completing her PhD in Psychology, gave the opening speech at an event on the International Day of People with Disabilities (December 3), hosted by SDG4 Youth and Student Network in partnership with UNESCO and the Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity at the University of Portsmouth.

The panel discussion addressed barriers to higher education for persons with disabilities, bringing together self-advocates, policy experts, and educators. 

They explored actionable solutions for equitable access and participation in higher education, aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically goal 4 (SDG4): Quality education for all.

Participants highlighted the need for coordinated, transnational efforts to dismantle systemic ableist barriers and emphasised the importance of including the voices of persons with disabilities in all discussions on inclusive education.

Ms Gudknecht, who is a member of the SDG4 Youth and Student Network, opened the talks using the slogan, “Nothing about us, without us”. 

Speaking after the event, she said: “I believe awareness and acceptance of disabled students' needs, which aren't necessarily "special" but their human right, is a pressing issue that affects the more than 1.3 billion persons with disabilities globally. It’s also critical that we highlight the lack of educational opportunities for women with disabilities in regions like Afghanistan, who face additional barriers with ableism.”

Dr Steven Kapp, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology with autism at the University of Portsmouth, also spoke at the virtual event. He shared insights on the implementation of frameworks for creating fair and diverse educational environments and stressed the importance of disability cultural competence training led by disabled individuals. 

Dr Kapp is part of a group of academics, known as FORRT, who last year called for better inclusivity in higher education, to combat harmful assumptions about neurodivergent (e.g. autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and dyspraxic) people. 

“Education settings around the world - including universities - need to do more to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that students have access to and benefit from the curriculum”,  explained Dr Kapp. 

The event featured speakers from countries including Uganda, Afghanistan, Australia, Lebanon, the US, and the UK, underscoring the importance of cross-border collaboration to address these challenges.

In closing, Dr Emine Gurbuz from the University of Portsmouth summarised the event’s discussions and issued a call to action for governments and higher education institutions to prioritise systemic reforms, universal design principles, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities. 

The University’s Centre for Interaction, Development and Diversity is committed to address social problems, enhance the local and wider community, and improve educational and diversity policy and practice.