The Government grants ARES an annual subsidy (in accordance with the decree of 3 May 2019 governing measures relating to higher education and research) to organise an annual call for projects aimed at higher education institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (FWB).
The aim of the call for projects is to promote the inclusion of students in their studies by improving the accessibility of higher education institution buildings through the implementation of infrastructure and/or equipment improvements. These improvements make it possible to:
- Reduce barriers related to the disorders and/or illnesses affecting the students concerned.
- Provide better access to learning activities within institutions.
- Make lasting improvements to the daily lives of students with disabilities.
Practical information
The call for projects is open every year between the beginning of February and the end of March via an online form.
Projects are selected by an independent jury in June and the decisions are announced in July.
To be eligible to submit one or more projects, the call for projects sets out the following conditions:
- Be submitted by a higher education institution (HEI) recognised by the FWB, including adult education institutions providing higher education.
- Propose adaptations and/or equipment within the buildings for an amount between €10,000 and €100,000 (€120,000 in the case of a partnership between several HEIs).
- Promote inclusive higher education and meet the accessibility needs of students affected by all types of disability (not exclusively people with reduced mobility). Responding to the needs of several types of disability is a priority.
- Meet the five criteria established by the decree (in accordance with the decree of 3 May 2019 governing measures relating to higher education and research)
In figures
Following the first four editions of the call for projects since 2022, the call for inclusion projects has benefited:
- 37 higher education institutions from four types of education
- 64 concrete and diverse projects,
- for a total budget of €3,945,587.4
Support for the call for projects: in order to help applicants prepare their applications as effectively as possible, the CESI has decided to provide HEIs with regular, free access to the services of accessibility experts, who are tasked with drafting an accessibility audit report for their buildings and/or answering their questions as they prepare their applications. For more information on this subject, please contact ARES at the following address: aap.inclusion@ares-ac.be.
In order to carry out relevant and consistent modifications in accordance with current accessibility standards, it is recommended that you take into account the SECU-E movement chain:
Parking (P):
- Provide parking spaces for people with reduced mobility.
Entrance (E):
- Equip the entrance door with an automatic opening system with motion detection.
- Install an access ramp at the entrance door.
Circulation (C):
- Provide floor guidance from the site entrance to the classroom for visually impaired people.
- Make the main buildings and premises (classrooms, lecture halls, library, toilets, etc.) accessible by installing a ramp, a stair lift, a lift, etc.
Use (U):
- Fit out toilets to make them accessible (provide a space measuring 220 x 220 cm, a sink at the correct height, etc.).
- Install a magnetic induction loop at the entrance and in classrooms for people with hearing impairments.
Evacuate (E):
- Provide evacuation equipment in addition to a fire response team.
- Teaching aids (digital tools) for students with visual or hearing impairments, specific learning difficulties or motor impairments: tablets, adapted PCs, specific software, adapted video conferencing equipment, etc.;
- Height-adjustable or tilting tables;
- Sufficient electrical sockets at the correct height.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact ARES for more information about the call for proposals or for any other information about inclusive higher education or CESI - aap.inclusion@ares-ac.be.