Individualising Inclusion: an ethnographic exploration into  studying with dyslexia at Leiden University (Institute for  Advanced Computer Science)

Using the Disabilities studies and Anthropological method of entangled ethnography, this research found thatsome disability experts and parts of Leiden University aim for more explicit, systemic framing towards seeing studying with disabilities and dyslexia though the social model of disabilities. However, Leiden University has predominantly used an individualistic framework in keeping with the medical model of disabilities. Any changes or aims for the university usually occur also within the individualistic framework. Further, a possible culture of constructivism at LIACS aligns to the individualistic framing of LU to further put the blame and burden of studying with dyslexia onto the individuals with it. Although studying with a disability like dyslexia at LU isa centralised system and has many great experts working on it, there is an absence of knowledge on and education about studying with a disability and dyslexia in staff and students. This might have led to dyslexia primarily...Show moreUsing the Disabilities studies and Anthropological method of entangled ethnography, this research found thatsome disability experts and parts of Leiden University aim for more explicit, systemic framing towards seeing studying with disabilities and dyslexia though the social model of disabilities. However, Leiden University has predominantly used an individualistic framework in keeping with the medical model of disabilities. Any changes or aims for the university usually occur also within the individualistic framework. Further, a possible culture of constructivism at LIACS aligns to the individualistic framing of LU to further put the blame and burden of studying with dyslexia onto the individuals with it. Although studying with a disability like dyslexia at LU isa centralised system and has many great experts working on it, there is an absence of knowledge on and education about studying with a disability and dyslexia in staff and students. This might have led to dyslexia primarily being dealt with using extra-time adjustments. A strategy of avoidance is highlighted as a way some students at LIACS deal with the barriers of studying with dyslexia. Overwhelmingly, even if some parts of LU wish for change towards the social model or beyond model of disability, LU currently operates with a medical model of disability in practice. Until active steps are taken to move past the medical model of disability at the university, it will be difficult to see what advantages might lie beyond.Show less

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Individualising Inclusion: an ethnographic exploration into studying with dyslexia at Leiden University (Institute for Advanced Computer Science)