Santa Maria Health School (SMHS) further strengthened its commitment to inclusion, accessibility and student wellbeing through the participation of psychologist Sónia Oliveira Pereira in the International Staff Week “Through Accessibility to Academic Excellence”, held from 18 to 22 May 2026 at Jagiellonian University (JU), Kraków, Poland.

This Erasmus+ mobility opportunity provided direct exposure to innovative institutional strategies and structured accessibility policies implemented in Higher Education. The programme brought together professionals from several European countries to discuss current challenges and best practices related to accessibility, inclusion and equal opportunities for students.

Key topics addressed throughout the week included:

  • Accessible Infrastructure: analysis of minimum architectural accessibility standards to support the international mobility of students and staff with specific needs;
  • Technology and Innovation: discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence and assistive technologies in enhancing accessibility within academic environments;
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL): reflection on the growing importance of universal approaches to teaching and learning that benefit all students;
  • Safety and Inclusion: practical workshops on the evacuation of persons with specific needs and the development of Individual Evacuation Plans.

The programme also provided an opportunity to learn more about the work of the Centrum Dostępności UJ (Jagiellonian University Accessibility Centre), a pioneering service with more than twenty years of experience promoting equal opportunities through its comprehensive umbrella accessibility system.

The Staff Week coincided with the celebration of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) on 21 May, further reinforcing the relevance and timeliness of discussions surrounding accessibility and inclusion in Higher Education.

Reflecting on the experience, Sónia Oliveira Pereira highlighted:

“This was an extremely enriching, intensive and transformative experience, both personally and professionally. The exchange of knowledge among colleagues from different European countries was truly inspiring. Throughout the Staff Week, we had the opportunity to explore diverse realities, policies and practices related to accessibility and students’ universal rights, gaining valuable insights that will contribute to supporting our students in a more inclusive and equitable way at Santa Maria Health School.”

SMHS extends its sincere appreciation to Jagiellonian University and, in particular, to the entire team of the Jagiellonian University Accessibility Centre for the excellent organisation of the programme and their warm welcome.

Special recognition is due to Dr. Ireneusz Białek (Director of the Accessibility Centre) for his inspiring vision and leadership, as well as to Dr. Katarzyna Duraj-Per, Dr. Justyna Malesa and Dr. Aneta Bilnicka, whose support and dedication were instrumental in creating a valuable environment for dialogue, collaboration and shared learning.

Participation in this Erasmus+ mobility contributes directly to SMHS’s internationalisation strategy and supports the continuous enhancement of initiatives related to student wellbeing, mental health promotion, accessibility and inclusion within the institution.