The Up the Hill Project – inclusion for people with a disability in university
The Up the Hill Project, supported by Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, encourages the participation of adults with a range of disabilities, including intellectual disability, in the social and educational life of Flinders University.
The Project aims to provide an inclusive and supportive opportunity for people with a disability, with support from a Peer Mentor, to access the University environment, develop social skills and social networks, and experience a range of educational opportunities and activities.
We spoke with Academic Project Advisor, Dr Fiona Rillotta about the project.
What do Up The Hill Project participants do?
Participants attend classes of their choice to develop skills and help them work towards future opportunities. At the start of each semester, participants will nominate topics in which they are interested. Peer mentors support participants to be involved in one of their nominated topics. This peer support aims to enhance participation and inclusion at university for everyone.
What is most rewarding for you about the Up the Hill Project?
Watching the participants’ enthusiasm, learning, and personal growth overtime, as well as all the things that participants teach their learning partners. I also like hearing about inclusive teaching practices by the teaching staff, and how participants are supported and encouraged to join in with class group discussions, activities, and assessments.
Are there any major accomplishments that stick out in the past 25 years?
There have been many. Some of the biggest developments have been about making sure that Up the Hill Project participants have the same university experience as their peers, including: choosing topics of interest from across the whole university (the program started out with just disability degree topics); accessing online learning systems; student ID card access; and graduation ceremonies.
What do you hope to see happen in the next 25 years of the Up the Hill Project?
We really hope to strengthen the pathways for participants and graduates beyond what the Up the Hill Project is currently offering, so, to be able to provide support with transitioning to further study and/or employment opportunities. We also hope to have a structure so that participants who wish to embark on a degree qualification have the opportunity to do so in a supported way.
“I’m so excited to have graduated from Flinders. The three years I spent there was thoroughly fulfilling and an enriching experience. I learnt new things about topics I’ve researched over and over again before starting out at Flinders.”
TIM, UP THE HILL PROJECT GRADUATE