Good Practice Guide
Person-Centered Design for Disability in Higher Education
Discover how European universities are transforming inclusive education through participatory methodologies, universal design, and the active involvement of persons with disabilities.
Download PDF Explore ContentThe Design2Freedom Project
This guide presents the outcomes of a European collaboration between universities and social organizations to promote inclusive education through Person-Centered Design, Universal Design, and active participation of persons with disabilities.
Period: December 2023 - June 2026
Funded by: Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-HED)
Partners: 5 institutions across Spain, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Belgium
Mission: Transform higher education through participatory and inclusive methodologies, fostering collaboration between universities and social organizations, ensuring active involvement of persons with disabilities.
Our Approach is Based On
Person-Centered Approach
Persons with disabilities as active participants, mentors, and co-designers—not passive beneficiaries.
Universal Design
Creating accessible environments and materials from the start for everyone, removing barriers proactively.
Universal Design for Learning
Flexible teaching methods that respond to diversity through multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.
Participation & Co-Design
Collaborative development with students, faculty, and persons with disabilities throughout all project phases.
Rights-Based Approach
Aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Sustainable Development Goals.
Inclusion & Sustainability
Building sustainable, equitable educational systems that benefit entire communities and future generations.
Three Universities, Three Experiences
Vilniaus Kolegija (Lithuania)
University of Applied Sciences
📊 What they did: 3-day Hackathon with students, lecturers, and NGOs
👥 Participants: 38 students, 14 lecturers, NGO representatives
✅ Results: 6 assistive technology solutions for real accessibility challenges
⭐ Satisfaction: 90%+ participants felt like active learners
Solutions Developed:
- "Sounding Direction" - Helps visually impaired individuals identify arriving buses through audio cues
- "Sense Way" - Accessible queue management systems for banks and institutions
- "Takto" - Orientation aids for navigation in large buildings and clinics
Universidade da Coruña (Spain)
Research Centre for Information Technologies (CITIC)
📊 What they did: Design4Occupation - semester-long inclusive design course
👥 Participants: 92 people (61 students, 12 lecturers, 6 researchers, 13 NGO representatives)
✅ Results: 6 prototypes solving daily life challenges
⭐ Satisfaction: 4.36/5 overall benefit rating | 4.93/5 utility of person-centered approach
Challenges Solved:
- Inclusive dice cup - Accessible board game equipment for people with limited mobility
- Mobile ramp - Portable solution for wheelchair users to overcome steps
- Stand up - Walking stick holder for independent pickup and placement
- Hold it tight - Adapted cutlery with customizable grip and easy cleaning
- Bag rescue - Backpack accessibility solution for electric wheelchair users
- Long range - Object grabber for handling different types of objects
Key Finding: 100% of students felt like active agents in the learning process and were motivated to apply inclusive principles in the future.
Technical University of Košice (Slovakia)
Access Centre for Inclusive Education
📊 What they did: Lecture series + One-day Hackathon + UDL training seminar
👥 Participants: 81 students, 26 lecturers, 5 pedagogical advisors
🏫 Faculties: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering & Informatics, Arts
⭐ Satisfaction: 97% felt their needs were considered | 80%+ overall satisfaction
Key Activities:
- Integrated lectures on disability, diversity, Universal Design, and assistive technologies
- Hackathon: "Assistive Technology for Improving Accessibility and Inclusion" (April 15, 2025)
- Seminar: "Applying UDL Methodology in Higher Education" (May 20, 2025)
- Collaboration with Slovak Union of Blind, Košice Self-Governing Region, and other partners
Lasting Impact: New mental health initiative created, ongoing partnerships with disability organizations, and methodologies integrated into regular university services.
What Works: 6 Proven Strategies
Co-Design with Persons with Disabilities
Include them as mentors, challenge authors, and evaluators—not just beneficiaries. Their lived experience guides authentic solutions.
Real-World Challenges
Base projects on authentic problems from lived experience. Students are more engaged when solving real problems with visible impact.
Interdisciplinary Teams
Mix students from engineering, design, social sciences, and health. Each discipline contributes unique perspectives for comprehensive solutions.
Flexible Assessment
Allow multiple ways for students to demonstrate learning without compromising academic quality. Adapt to individual circumstances.
Faculty Training
Provide educators with tools and knowledge on inclusive methodologies, Universal Design for Learning, and accessibility standards.
Accessible Materials
Offer content in multiple formats (text, audio, visual) following WCAG standards. Design for accessibility from the start.
Criteria for Identifying Good Practices
✓ Impact
Tangible improvements documented through evaluation data
✓ Sustainability
Can be maintained over time beyond project funding
✓ Transferability
Adaptable to different contexts and institutions
✓ Innovation
Novel approaches addressing emerging needs
✓ Participation
Active involvement of all stakeholders
✓ Validation
Empirical evidence and systematic evaluation
Impact & Results
Policy Alignment
- ✓ UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) - Full alignment with Articles 9 and 24
- ✓ Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality, inclusive, and equitable education
- ✓ European Pillar of Social Rights - Equal opportunities and access to education
- ✓ European Higher Education Area - Inclusion, digitalization, and social responsibility
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Complete documentation with theoretical framework, pilot descriptions, evaluation data, and implementation guidelines.
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