On behalf of the University Board, the Internal Audit Office has reviewed the University's educational support and study-related adaptations for students with disabilities. The aim has been to clarify if there are guidelines and routines fit for purpose, if students are treated fairly and if processing is legally secure. The review also looked into the effectiveness of follow-up.
Over the last ten-year period, the number of students granted disability-related study support has increased remarkably at Umeå University. This follows a national trend with an increase in the number of students in need of support in relation to the total student population. As a result, this creates a need for people to learn more about disabilities, legal requirements and accessible methods of instruction. It also requires access to more support measures.
Positive feedback on internal governance and organisation
A positive observation made in the audit report is that the University's current procedures contribute to clarifying roles and responsibilities, and they set up good conditions for legal certainty and non-discrimination. The same goes for the University's organisational model, which is assessed to provide good prerequisites for spreading uniform working methods and routines, for instance through having contact persons for student support at departments and at certain study programmes.
Need to continue to guide and improve follow-up
The report describes that the scope of study support for students with disabilities has gradually increased, but that digital support systems have not developed at the same rate. Several sub-processes are burdened by inefficient working methods and routines that are risky from an information-security perspective.
"One observation presented in the report is that departments and equivalent units need continued guidance whilst awaiting more expedient system support. This involves processing of personal data when administering support measures," says Susanne Hellqvist, Audit Director.
Another observation is that follow-up needs to be improved. The report suggests that a relevant university-wide forum should discuss what ought to be followed up and by whom.
"I've interviewed a selection of all parties that could provide relevant input. One perspective that is only partly captured in the report is the teachers' situation, for instance their workload, challenges in teaching and learning and other prerequisites for teaching," says Susanne Hellqvist.
"I'm pleased that the Internal Audit Office's report shows that the University has a well-functioning internal governance when it comes to study support for students with disabilities. To meet the increased demand for support, we need to review guidance and system support to help the educational side of the University's activities. Regarding follow-up of our student support, I hope that the new coordination group for sustainable student life can contribute with valuable perspectives," says Hans Wiklund, University Director.
The Internal Audit Office's recommendations
As a result of their observations, the Internal Audit Office has given the following recommendations to the University Management:
- Departments and equivalent should continue to receive guidance on how to document decisions on support measures in accordance with what is stipulated in the procedures.
- Departments and equivalent should receive guidance on how data on support measures for students with disabilities can be stored and processed.
- The University should review how follow-up of study support for students with disabilities could be improved in respect of statistics and relevant key figure, etc.
Measures to improve processes involved in student support
The University Management concurs with the Internal Audit Office's conclusions and with their proposals to improve the processes involved in study support for students with disabilities. The measures the University Management is planning to implement are the following:
- Offer support and opportunities to discuss how to process decisions on support measures to contact persons and decision-making officers at departments.
- Conduct a review with the aim to clarify guidance regarding the processing of sensitive personal data at departments and equivalent when it comes to study support for students with disabilities. The review should also include the possibility to use appropriate digital support systems.
- Assign the new coordination group for sustainable student life the task of discussing needs for relevant statistics to follow up study support for students with disabilities and drafting a proposal to be discussed in relevant strategic councils.
Would you like to learn more?
Read the Internal Audit Office's report, which is available in Swedish.
Do you have questions about the report? Please contact Susanne Hellqvist.
Do you have questions about what measures the University Management is taking? Please contact Hans Wiklund.
Related information
The Internal Audit Office is tasked with conducting audits and offering advice to bolster the University's operations. The Office reports directly to the University Board but is fully independent.
Read about the Internal Audit Office.