A first-year camp is also organized for students with disabilities

When studies begin, higher education institutions organize freshman camps, but not everyone has the opportunity to participate in them. This year, Vytautas Magnus University had a unique opportunity to participate, both for those who are very eager and full of energy, and for students with disabilities - everyone has the right to integrate into student life.

The aim is to show that all students are equal

The camp, which has already become a tradition and is organized by the Vytautas Magnus University Student Representative Council (hereinafter referred to as VMU SA), provides a unique opportunity to get to know the university, get to know a part of student life, chat with older students and other first-year students, and spend a weekend in a very meaningful way. “Balanced Freshman 2014” will take place on two weekends in September this year (6-7 and 13-14). It is important to emphasize that this year the camp will be unique – people with disabilities will also have the opportunity to participate. In addition, the aim will be to familiarize VMU students with the problems of integration of the disabled, promote tolerance, break stereotypes, and show that everyone is equal at Vytautas Magnus University.

The first freshman camp is also adapted for students with disabilities

This organized VMU SA freshman camp, adapted for students with disabilities, is the very first in Lithuania. When we asked Justinas Petkus, the President of the Vytautas Magnus University Student Representative Council, how and who came up with this idea, we received a detailed answer: “I wouldn’t call it an idea, maybe more of an initiative or a step that all higher education institutions’ governments need to take. And we did it because we actively work in the social field. Vytautas Magnus University has the largest number of disabled students in Lithuania, who are equal and the same as everyone else, so it is very important to integrate them into the VMU community and provide them with equal opportunities to participate in all VMU SA activities. The freshman camp is like a first acquaintance with the university, the Student Representative Council, with future classmates and the VMU community.” Justinas also believes that more such camps and initiatives should arise, after all, a student with a disability is exactly the same person as everyone else. However, it is important to pay attention to teaching other students how to deal with people with disabilities - after all, they also want to get involved in university activities, participate everywhere, communicate and to studySometimes we have to deal with various stereotypes or excuses like "I don't know how to deal with it," so it's important to explain that people with disabilities are not exceptional, they need the same things as everyone else.

Students with disabilities respond positively

Martynas Vitkus, a student at Vytautas Magnus University who has movement and reaction disorders, says that if he were a first-year student again, he would definitely take advantage of this opportunity to participate in such a camp. “This is a great opportunity to join the team, get to know future students and more, and the biggest plus is the time spent having fun. I am very happy with the Student Representative Council for taking this step and I hope that everything will continue to go only for the better,” says the guy. Martynas has a clear position – participation in such activities has mutual benefits, and it is also much easier for people to open up in such an environment. According to him, most disabled people feel shy in a different environment with new people, and ordinary people who have not encountered this also feel quite uncomfortable. Therefore, all this is a great medium for getting to know each other better and socializing. It is also extremely important to ask the people themselves what kind of help they may need, since not everyone is brave enough to ask for it. In addition to all this, Martynas himself encourages first-year students with disabilities who are hesitant about participating to make the right choice and not miss this great opportunity to have fun and integrate into the student community. According to him, such an experience is priceless and comes only once in a lifetime.

So, more such initiatives for people with disabilities should be encouraged. We must allow them to successfully integrate into society and show that we are all equal. In addition, it is extremely important not to single out people with disabilities from others - they should be treated the same as all other people. Also, regardless of who you are, everyone should be given the opportunity to participate in the camp. So if you still have doubts, we wish you to make the right choice!