The Kwame Nkrumah University of Sciences & Technology [KNUST] in Ghana collaborated with Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences in 2022, to produce a Guideline on Inclusive Architectural Design Concepts and Strategies for Technical Vocational Education Training, with funding from BMZ and support by GIZ. Congratulations to the editors of this publication: A. Oppong, A. Plummer, A. B. Marful, D. Y. A. Duah, J. A. Danquah.
This book was published against the backdrop of the Global Education Monitoring Report, published by UNESCO in 2020. The report flagged the persistent and troubling inequalities in education and clarifies that „Inclusion in education is about ensuring that every learner feels valued, respected and can enjoy a clear sense of belonging.”
The guidelines scrutinize the feasibility, importance and impact of inclusive architectural design concepts and strategies for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Ghana. They further explore the applicability, relevance and efficiency of the curriculum, institutional infrastructure and support systems.
The guidelines promote a safe space for learning, by highlighting the concepts that facilitate accessible and barrier-free TVET in Ghana, regardless of a student’s identity and ability. They promote TVET institutions to become spatially and structurally accessible and barrier-free.
The concepts provide a step by step holistic and fully inclusive space, which is conducive for effective teaching and learning. They redefine accessible facilities to be seen beyond a solution for the inclusion of people with disabilities, but as a general prerequisite for training, education, and personal development. Although the lessons and case studies refer to the Ghanaian culture, prerequisites and standards, the findings from them may be applied to other regions of Africa in general.
Great strides and dedication have been taken to compile these guidelines and research on this topic. This is KNUST first groundbreaking book on including youths with disabilities in TVET ecosystems. It comes with a complete universal design and in an accessible version for the print disabled. The hype behind this book is unquestioned as it also has best practice examples of how to create inclusive TVET.
A lot of colleagues in development cooperation are already implementing inclusive measures in partner countries, and we are confident that this publication will motivate many to learn from the community of practice. We hope to see innovative inclusive TVET measures, whose lessons can be shared within the Living Inclusion Network.
Article by LIN Team
