Project News
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Greek version of Autism&Uni Best Practice Guides published
We are excited to announce that the Autism&Uni guides are now available in Greek. Dr Despina Papoudi from the University of Thessaly, who coordinated the...
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City University London launches Autism&Uni Toolkit
After several months of setting up and extending the Autism&Uni toolkit, City University London launched it to their autistic students in October 2023. Lucy Witten,...
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Technological University of the Shannon Midlands in Ireland adopts the Autism&Uni toolkit
Róisín Kelly, Learning Support Tutor at TUS, explains the needs her institution identified and how the Autism&Uni toolkit helped meet those needs. The Disability &...
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We have launched French versions of the Autism&Uni Best Practice Guides
We are pleased do announce the launch of the Autism&Uni Best Practice Guide in French. It is the 7th language the guides have been translated...
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Swiss case study added to German version of the Best Practice Guides
While working on a French translation of the Autism&Uni Best Practice Guides, our Swiss partners at the University of Fribourg and the University of Applied...
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What inclusivity means – Brilliant interview with Harriet Cannon of the University of Leeds
I’ve just been listening to Harriet Cannon, Disability Support Team Leader at the University of Leeds, talking about how autistic students can best be supported...
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Falmouth Exeter Plus adopts the Autism&Uni toolkit
Nikki Brown, Inclusive Learning Manager at Falmouth Exeter Plus, explains how the Autism&Uni Toolkit was implemented at her institution. Falmouth Exeter Plus is a shared Student Services provider for Falmouth...
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University of Sheffield: Looking back after launching the Autism&Uni toolkit more than a year ago
Alison Jones, Disability Transition Officer, of the University of Sheffield’s Disability and Dyslexia Support Service on the Autism&Uni toolkit which was launched in summer 2019....
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Durham University launches the Autism&Uni toolkit
Rebecca Horsfall, Disability Adviser at Durham University, talks about adopting the toolkit and how it became a bit of a life-saver during the first Covid-19...
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University of Warsaw launches the Autism&Uni toolkit in Polish
The University of Warsaw is the biggest higher education institution in Poland, offering courses to about 50,000 students in 21 departments. A part of the...
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Studying remotely in times of social distancing
Harriet Cannon and Nicola Martin are experienced higher education disability practitioners. In the Spring of 2020, they co-ordinated the creation of guidance for autistic students...
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University of Bath launches the Autism&Uni toolkit to add to their range of transition services
Tash Hobbs, of the Disability Support Team at the University of Bath, explains how the Autism&Uni Toolkit adds an extra layer of support to their...
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Autism&Uni helps greater numbers of young adults on the autism spectrum to gain access to Higher Education and to navigate the transition successfully. It received EU-funding from its conception in October 2013 until March 2016. Since then, project partners in the 5 participating countries promote the outputs in their respective countries. This website is maintained by Leeds Beckett University.
Autism&Uni has created two FREE resources that Higher Education Institutions across Europe can adopt:
A set of Best Practice Guides for HE managers, academics and support staff The guides are written in an accessible way and inform you about autism in the HE context, what is considered good practice and what you can do to support autistic students well. |
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An Online Toolkit for autistic students to give them the information and strategies needed to manage the transition to university We invite universities to adopt and adapt the toolkit, and make it available to their students. |
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What did we do?
We conducted a multinational survey, reviewed research literature, and mapped educational provision and legislation in the five partner countries to find out about the needs and aspirations of autistic students, and to define current good practice across Europe.
We then took our insights and turned them into material that universities can use to learn more about autism, the good practice that exists, and what can be done to support students effectively and efficiently. We also translated good practice and first-person accounts into material that students can learn from and reflect on, so that the challenges they may encounter are less daunting and unexpected.
We involved autistic students at every stage of the project, surveying their needs and aspirations, and seeking feedback on content and design solutions. Their expressed needs and preferences have shaped the project’s end products.
What is our strategy?
Our approach is two-fold: adapting the Higher Education environment so that it becomes more inclusive and supportive, and also to give students the tools and strategies they need to navigate Higher Education effectively:
Our Vision
01 Widening access
Greater numbers of young adults on the autism spectrum will gain access to higher education. Educational opportunities for people with autism spectrum disorders will improve across Europe.
02 Support for HE institutions
Institutes of higher education will be supported in their task of accommodating students on the autism spectrum. By mapping good practice and by providing tools and information we will help staff in the HE community to fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities towards any student with the potential to succeed.
03 Better experience
Young adults on the autism spectrum will be able to negotiate the challenges of entering higher education and adjusting to its demands. They will find higher education institutions prepared to understand both strengths and challenges stemming from their autistic characteristics.
04 Participation
Autistic people are involved in the project right from the start, giving real agency in designing solutions for the challenges students on the autistic spectrum face.