Windesheim once again best University of Applied Sciences for Students with Disabilities

For the third consecutive year Windesheim UAS is ranked first in the category of major universities of applied sciences when it comes to counselling students with disabilities.

This is the outcome of the annual study conducted by the Centre for Higher Education Information (C.H.O.I.), commissioned by the Expertise Centre for Disability + Study.

All themes above average

Windesheim scores above the national average on all themes. Windesheim students with a disability are particularly pleased with the understanding that lecturers and fellow students show of their disability, the digital provisions made for them and the facilities for test-taking adapted to their disability. Elske Siemonsma, Team Leader of Windesheim's Study Success Centre: “This is a great compliment for all Windesheim staff members who do their best for students with a disability. From the coordinators in the divisions and the lecturers to the management support office staff, caretakers and exam organization: the fact that our students are so satisfied shows that they are in fact really benefiting from all those efforts.”

Keeping in touch for feedback

The national C.H.O.I. study shows that students with a disability are critical of the information provision, intake and supervision of their studies. Although Windesheim’s scores on these aspects are still clearly above the national average, there is room for improvement of student satisfaction here. Rianne Bieleman, General Student Counsellor at the Study Success Centre explains: “It’s still rather difficult for students to find their way in all the information they’re getting. We continue to focus on improving our PR information and intakes, hoping to make them a little better every year. To do this, we’re keeping in touch with the students themselves, so we can get their feedback: what problems do you experience and what are your expectations? Even though we’re number one in the ranking, there’s a lot still to be done.” 

Windesheim has about 2,700 students with a disability, 13% of its total student population. Dyslexia is the most common disability, but the number of students with a neurological impairment such as autism and ADHD, mental illnesses or chronic diseases is steadily increasing.