​

​

​

• The Arab Open University (AOU) measures and tracks applications and admissions for underrepresented groups, including female students, students with disabilities, and newly settled refugee students.
• The AOU strives to take planned measures to recruit and attract students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups.
• The AOU has a dedicated Diversity and Equity Committee, mandated by the administration to advise on and implement policies, programs, and training related to "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights" within the campus. ​​The Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee.pdf
  
• The AOU offers mentoring, guidance, and peer support programs to support students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups. Peer Support Program 2024-2025.pdf
  
• The AOU provides accessible facilities for people with disabilities.​​  Supporting Students with Special Needs​
  
  

The Arab Open University (AOU) is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment, offering a comprehensive range of support services for students, staff, and faculty with disabilities (physical, visual, auditory, and learning), to ensure equal opportunities and academic and social success.

First: Support and Assistance Services:

The University offers support through four main pillars:

1.      Academic Support:

• Customized Academic Accommodations such as extended exam times.
• Additional teaching services and specialized educational materials.
• Personalized support to ensure students' full participation in all academic activities.

2.     Assistive Technology:

• Provision of advanced technologies like screen readers, speech-to-text software, and hearing devices.
• This support aims to help students with visual and auditory disabilities engage effectively in their studies and university life.

3.     Guidance and Peer Support:

• The University offers guidance services and peer support programs to help students manage academic and personal pressures and achieve social integration.
• These services focus on ensuring psychological well-being and social inclusion.

4.     Disability Support Center:

• This center is a focal point for providing comprehensive support, including academic accommodations, counseling, and advocating for students' rights.

Second: Accessibility:

The University ensures equal access to all facilities and resources through the following measures:

1. Physical Accessibility:

• Infrastructure: The design and modification of all campus buildings to be fully accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities, including:
• Installation of ramps, elevators, automatic doors, and wide corridors.
• Provision of accessible restrooms in all buildings.
• Learning Spaces: Classrooms and lecture halls are equipped with accessible seating, adjustable desks, and sufficient space for wheelchair users.
• Transportation: Provision of accessible transport services, including buses equipped with lifts and designated seating.

2. Technological Accessibility:

• Digital Resources: Electronic resources (website, learning management systems, digital materials) are designed according to web accessibility standards to ensure ease of use by individuals with visual, auditory, and cognitive disabilities. ​​​​AOU- Sign language writing.pdf
  
• Technical Support: The IT department provides the necessary technical support for students using assistive technologies. AOU- Sign language writing- Video 1 Sign language writing- Video 2 Sign language writing- Video 3 Sign language writing- Video 4.
  

3. Orientation and Training Programs:

• For New Students: The University offers orientation programs to familiarize new students with disabilities with campus facilities and services.
• For Academic and Administrative Staff: Continuous training is provided to faculty and staff on best practices for supporting students with disabilities.

The Ultimate Goal:

Through these integrated services, the Arab Open University strives to provide a fair and enabling environment where students with disabilities receive everything necessary to achieve academic and social success.​

Additional AOU Accessibility Programs and Services

The Arab Open University provides accessibility schemes and accessible programs for individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities and integration into academic and university life. These programs include:

• Academic Support and Accommodations: The University offers specially designed academic accommodations to support students with disabilities. These may include extended exam time, access to alternative formats of study materials, and assistance from academic advisors and instructors to ensure students are fully engaged in their studies.
• Physical Accessibility: The campus is equipped with various accessibility features, including ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and parking spaces, to facilitate the movement of students and staff with mobility disabilities throughout the campus.
• Assistive Technology: The University provides assistive technology tools such as screen readers, speech recognition software, and other devices to support students with visual and auditory disabilities, ensuring they can access educational materials and participate in academic activities. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist students with disabilities is also included. ​DAMJ PLATFORM.pdf
  
• Support and Guidance Services: The AOU has established dedicated support services for individuals with disabilities, including counseling services to help students with disabilities manage psychological stress and achieve social integration, as well as a specialized disability support team to guide students on available resources and facilities.
• Inclusive Campus Activities: The University strives to make all campus events, extracurricular activities, and student organizations accessible to students with disabilities, ensuring their participation in a variety of experiences during their time at the university.

Through these programs, the Arab Open University demonstrates its commitment to providing equitable access and fostering an inclusive environment for students with disabilities.

The University offers an Academic Mentorship Program, where experienced professors provide one-on-one guidance to students with disabilities. These mentors offer academic guidance, career advice, and personal support, helping students identify and achieve their educational and professional goals.

The Disability Support Center at the Arab Open University provides comprehensive support to students with disabilities.

The Arab Open University offers a wide range of academic accommodations to ensure students with disabilities can fully participate in their courses.

The Arab Open University offers specialized psychological services for students with disabilities.​​​Graduation ceremony - student with special needs.jpg​.​

• ​The Arab Open University applies a reasonable adaptation policy/strategy, including an adequate funding mechanism for people with disabilities