Equal Opportunities or Hidden Inequalities – Disabled Students’ Ethical and Legal Challenges in Higher Education in the EU and Hungary

Abstract

The integration of persons with disabilities into higher education is a key social and policy issue all over the world. The presence or absence of an accessible environment, legal regulations, and institutional support fundamentally influences the educational equity and social inclusion of students with disabilities. Legislation treats this area as of utmost importance at both international, European Union and national levels. Although the majority of society claims to be verbally accepting of people with disabilities, in practice, there is often insensitivity towards their limitations and needs. This prejudice, stemming from ignorance, has a harmful impact on the affected individuals and contributes to the persistence of exclusionary behavior. The aim of this study is to present, using the method of legal source and literature analysis, how this area is regulated at the EU level and how these norms are enforced in Hungarian higher education at the member state level.