Page 27 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

healthcare, cultural activities, and education (Agency for Mobility and EU

Programmes – AMEUP, n.d.).

To promote the social dimension in higher education, Erasmus+, the EU mobility
programme in the field of education, training, youth, and sport for the period 2021-

2027, has a primary objective of fostering equal opportunities, accessibility,
inclusion, diversity, and fairness in all its actions. As a part of this commitment,

"Inclusion and Diversity" has been identified as one of the top priorities of the
Erasmus+ programme (European Commission, 2023). The Erasmus+ Programme
Guide outlines potential barriers that may impede students' participation, both as a

single factor and in combination with other factors:

• Disabilities: This encompasses physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory
impairments that, when combined with various barriers, may hinder an

individual's full and effective participation in society on an equal basis
with others.

• Health problems: Barriers may arise due to health problems, including
severe illnesses, chronic diseases, or other physical or mental health
conditions that prevent individuals from participating in the programme

(education).
• Barriers related to education and training systems: This includes

individuals who encounter difficulties within education and training
systems for various reasons, such as school dropouts, NEETs (individuals
not in education, employment, or training), and low-skilled adults. While

other factors may also contribute, these educational challenges are often
linked to personal circumstances and are typically a result of an education

system that imposes structural limitations and/or fails to fully address the
specific needs of individuals.

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