Students’ readiness for involvement in the inclusive university education: a sociological aspect

Modern education focuses on the development of inclusion, which implies equal access to training of incapacitated persons and people with disabilities. The higher education plays a special role in this regard. The development of harmonious educational space is hindered at the interpersonal level of students with disabilities and without them. The paper presents the results of a survey of students (n = 307) conducted at Novosibirsk State Technical University in order to reveal the attitude of healthy students to the inclusive education. The findings demonstrate that most respondents have a positive attitude to inclusive education but they think that they have to face its obstacles and risks, so healthy students and students with disabilities should not be taught in the same group. The majority of students do not consider the reluctance to study together as a trouble. On the contrary, they look at it from another aspect and believe that it takes more time and effort to arrange this process. In conclusion, the authors recommend the university administration and student communities to provide a favorable environment for developing the inclusive educational space.