CONNECT LIVED EXPERIENCE
The Ghent connection: HOGENT
HOGENT is the largest University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Flanders offering a wide range of programmes at eight campuses across the cities of Ghent and Aalst, in the Flemish part of Belgium. EQUALITY//ResearchCentre is one of the research centra at Hogent. it sees knowledge by experience as a third form of knowledge which should be embedded in research, policy and education. Many researchers involved in EQUALITY//ResearchCollective also teach at the Departement of Welfare studies.
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This interdisciplinary research centre aims to counter the social exclusion of human beings in vulnerable living situations and aims to improve their quality of life and the guarantee of human rights. Its activities are guided by two large frameworks, that of Quality of Life and of Human Rights. Including people living in vulnerable situations as active partners in all research activities is a priority.
The Ghent connection: UGent
Ghent University is a top 100 university and one of the major Belgian universities. Ghent University was ranked 66th in 2019 in the Shanghai ranking of world universities. After decades of uninterrupted growth, Ghent University is one of the leading institutions of higher education and research in the Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands). This project will be led by the Department of Special Needs Education The information about this department (its activities, staff, etc.) can be found below.
The Department of Special Needs Education at Ghent University focuses on research and education around support for and quality of life and social participation of children and adults in vulnerable situations. Four lines of research are distinguished at the department, including mental health and addiction recovery, disability studies and inclusive education, supporting vulnerable children and families and the orthopedagogical approach of children and adults with emotional and behavioural
disorders.
The Ghent connection: ONT
Our New Future is a self-advocacy movement of, for and by persons with (intellectual) disabilities, founded in 1997. Self-advocates with (intellectual) disabilities fight for their rights and ownership over their own choices and decisions. As a movement of self-advocates, they radically counter the image of dependent, compliant and passive persons with disabilities. They support people to speak up for themselves, make decisions, take responsibility, make choices, gain insights, participate ... in order to participate and count in our society.
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People with (intellectual) disabilities carry the movement, but they do not do this alone. There is a support network within the organization of coaches. The coaches support both in the practical and the substantive organization of the movement.
Our New Future entered into a structural partnership with the Department of Special Needs Education at Ghent University in 2005. In this way, Our New Future can contribute to the theorization of people with (intellectual) disabilities, self-advocacy and empowerment from a day-to-day experience and lived reality. On the other hand, students have the opportunity to learn to provide support and gain insight into the wisdom of people with (intellectual) disabilities themselves.
