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Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should support students with special needs, to ensure that their international mobility is successful and rewarding. In 2016, the University of Malta (UM) supported a student with special needs for the first time. This entailed a detailed review of the student’s specific needs, though it is the values underpinning the work that are the most noteworthy. The University built on existing good practice in supporting international mobility:

• As needs vary considerably, UM is flexible in reviewing and reacting to the individual on a case-by-case basis, engaging expertise in order to offer appropriate support
• The decision to disclose her special needs and the level of information to be shared with the host institution was taken by the student. The communication with the host, while supported by the University,  was successful because the student was well organised about the arrangements of her exchange. UM recommended supplementary action to help make the experience a success
• UM built trust and overcame hesitance by assuring the student that all information concerning her special needs would be confidential. This involved: i) good communication and coordination to establish confidence in the support offered to her, and ii) meeting the student’s parents to allay concerns about the arrangements for the exchange
• UM emphasises inclusive representation of people with special needs in Erasmus+ promotional material. The images  and details of support and funding available are sensitively presented to encourage students with special needs to participate.

EU resources to help develop support for mobile students with special needs: ‘MappED!’ provides information on the accessibility of university facilities, surrounding establishments and available services. ‘ExchangeAbility’ seeks to raise awareness of the barriers preventing students with special needs from participating in exchange programmes.