1. Purpose

Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory educational environment where students with disabilities, disadvantaged students, and other vulnerable student groups have equal access to academic programmes, campus facilities, support services, and university life.

The IUH Inclusive Support Framework aims to establish a coordinated mechanism to provide appropriate support, ensuring that students with disabilities can fully participate in learning, research activities, campus life, and personal development throughout their university journey.

2. Scope

This framework applies to:

• Students with temporary or permanent disabilities;
• Students experiencing learning, physical, or social inclusion challenges;
• Faculties, academic units, administrative departments, and relevant stakeholders involved in student support activities.

The framework covers:

• Academic support;
• Campus accessibility;
• Physical and mental healthcare support;
• Participation in student activities;
• Inclusion and equal opportunities.

3. Coordination Unit for Disability Support

At IUH, disability support services are coordinated through the Office of Political Affairs and Student Support, which serves as the University’s focal unit responsible for supporting students with disabilities, disadvantaged students, and students requiring special assistance.

Within the Office, 03 designated staff members are assigned to coordinate disability support activities and provide assistance to students with disabilities. These staff members serve as the contact points for receiving support requests, identifying students’ needs, coordinating appropriate support measures, and connecting students with relevant university units throughout their academic journey.

The designated support staff work closely with faculties, academic units, the Youth Union, the Student Association, the University Medical Unit, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that students with disabilities have access to academic support, healthcare services, accessible campus facilities, and equal opportunities to participate in university life.

4. Guiding Principles

IUH’s student support activities are implemented based on the following principles:

• Equal opportunity and non-discrimination;
• Accessibility and inclusive learning environments;
• Respect for privacy and confidentiality;
• Student-centred support;
• Equal participation in academic and social activities;
• Continuous improvement based on student feedback.

5. Support Services and Activities

5.1 Academic Support

IUH provides academic support mechanisms for students with disabilities through coordination between the Office of Political Affairs and Student Support, faculties, and academic units.

Support activities include:

• Academic counselling and guidance;
• Coordination with lecturers to provide appropriate learning conditions;
• Consideration of suitable academic support measures based on individual needs;
• Personalised assistance for students facing significant learning difficulties.

5.2 Campus Accessibility Support

IUH continuously improves campus facilities to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities and facilitate independent movement within the university environment.

Accessibility facilities include:

• Accessibility ramps for mobility support;
• Elevator systems providing access to university buildings;
• Accessible restrooms;
• Barrier-free corridors and pathways;
• Accessibility signs and guidance information;
• Support equipment, including wheelchairs and necessary mobility assistance devices.

IUH has also developed an Accessibility Map for People with Disabilities at the Main Campus (12 Nguyen Van Bao Campus), providing guidance on accessible routes, entrances, elevators, restrooms, and support facilities across the campus.

5.3 Physical Healthcare Support

IUH provides healthcare support services through its on-campus medical unit, including:

• Primary healthcare services;
• First-aid support and emergency response;
• Health consultation and guidance;
• Coordination with external healthcare facilities when necessary.

These services contribute to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment for all students and staff.

5.4 Mental Health and Psychological Support

IUH provides counselling and psychological support services through the Office of Political Affairs and Student Support.

Support activities include:

• Assisting students in addressing academic and personal challenges;
• Providing psychological counselling and emotional support;
• Supporting students in adapting to university life;
• Providing guidance on life skills, wellbeing, and personal development.

For students requiring additional support, IUH coordinates with relevant units to provide appropriate assistance.

5.5 Student Life and Inclusive Participation

IUH encourages students with disabilities and disadvantaged backgrounds to participate equally in university activities, including:

• Student clubs and organisations;
• Youth Union and Student Association activities;
• Cultural, sports, and community engagement programmes.
• Employment Support for Graduates

Student activities are encouraged to consider accessibility and inclusive participation for all members of the university community.

Ms. Nguyen Thi My Hang, a K13 student who demonstrated extraordinary resilience, received continuous support and career connection from IUH.

5.6 Community Engagement and Innovation for Inclusion

IUH encourages students to develop innovative solutions that improve accessibility and quality of life for people with disabilities. Through academic projects, research activities, and community engagement programmes, students design and implement practical solutions that contribute to a more inclusive society.

IUH Automotive Engineering Students Develop a Stair-Climbing Wheelchair for People with Disabilities

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Office of Political Affairs and Student Support

The Office is responsible for:

• Receiving student support requests;
• Providing counselling and guidance;
• Coordinating support measures with relevant units;
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of student support services.

Faculties and Academic Units

Responsible for:

• Supporting students during academic activities;
• Coordinating with relevant units to provide appropriate learning conditions.

Functional Departments

Responsible for:

• Maintaining and improving accessibility conditions;
• Supporting infrastructure improvements and inclusive services.

7. Support Request Procedure

Students requiring support may follow the following process:

1. Students contact the Office of Political Affairs and Student Support;
2. The University receives and reviews the support request;
3. Relevant units coordinate appropriate support solutions;
4. The effectiveness of support measures is monitored and improved based on feedback.

8. Confidentiality and Privacy Protection

IUH ensures that information related to students’ health conditions, personal circumstances, and support requirements is treated confidentially.

Information is only shared with authorised individuals and units involved in providing necessary support services.

9. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

IUH regularly collects feedback from students, evaluates the effectiveness of support activities, and continuously improves policies and services to strengthen accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities within the university environment.

International References and Alignment

The IUH Inclusive Support Framework is aligned with internationally recognised principles and good practices, including:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD);
• UNESCO Inclusive Education Framework;
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by W3C;
• ISO 21001:2018 Educational Organizations Management Systems;
• International best practices on accessibility and inclusion in higher education.