Inclusive Education Perceptions, Practice and Policy : A survey study: Students experiences and stakeholders perceptions of the practice of education policy for inclusion of students with special needs in Higher Education

Abstract To expand knowledge on the practices and experiences derived from policies towards inclusion of students with special needs in higher education, the study compared stakeholders and student perceptions of practicing inclusion in a higher education institution in Mexico. A survey design with an on-line questionnaire as main data collection instrument was administrated to a proportional stratified random sample of 126 persons of the university community. Results revealed that although inclusive policy is present at the institution it is partially implemented in several of the inclusive education dimensions. Analysis of the data indicates that the institution is in a pre-competence state for inclusion. Therefore the present study recommends specific areas as priorities for the improvement of the institutional practices towards inclusion. The higher education institution that occupied us is in the right path; nevertheless it still has a long way to go to enhance the inclusion of students with special needs. Key words: perceptions, experiences, policy and practice, inclusive education in higher education, competence for inclusion