UT-Austin Special Ed Exchange at NTNU
The Department of Special Education at NTNU has a longstanding partnership with the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin), facilitating numerous academic exchanges. The most recent exchange involved a delegation of 13 students led by Professor Kathryn Tackett from UT-Austin's Department of Special Education, who arrived to participate in a study-abroad course on special education in Taiwan.
The course aimed to broaden their understanding of diverse professional backgrounds related to special needs groups and raise awareness of special education. The curriculum covered special education systems, legal trends, current status, and issues in both the U.S. and Taiwan, with discussions on intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments, and ADHD.
The UT-Austin students and faculty arrived in Taiwan on June 6th, commencing a month-long immersive exchange based in NTNU's Bo’ai Building. On the day of their arrival, they were warmly welcomed with a guided campus tour provided by two Smile Ambassadors. Following the tour, students from the NTNU Department of Special Education introduced local eateries and departmental information. The day's events concluded with a welcome tea reception organized by the Department of Special Education and sponsored by the NTNU College of Education.
NTNU President Wu Cheng-Chih, Dean Tian Hsiu-Lan, and Academic Affairs Director Liu Mei-Hui attended the tea reception, along with over 20 faculty and students from the Special Education Department, led by Department Chair Liu Hui-Mei. The relaxed social event, featuring Taiwanese foods and bubble tea, provided an opportunity for both informal academic and cultural exchange.
The exchange program featured a special lecture series by Professor Chiu Chun-Yu from NTNU's Department of Special Education. Topics included Taiwan's natural environment and cultural background, allowing students to reflect on the status of people with disabilities in Taiwan. The lectures also covered the development of Taiwan's disability policies, the implementation of the CRPD, and differences between Taiwan's and the U.S.'s special education systems, such as lunchtime practices, contact books, and disability certifications. Other areas addressed included higher education for students with disabilities, dual-elderly families, political participation of people with disabilities, the impact of the internet, and their involvement in sports, arts, cultural activities, and religious events. This lecture series provided an in-depth understanding of disability issues and special education perspectives in both countries.
NTNU Professor and UT-Austin alumna Chang Chien-Hui arranged for the program attendees to visit the Taipei School for the Visually Impaired and the Taipei Special Education School. These visits showcased barrier-free facilities, curriculum features, and the characteristics of the student body. At the Taipei School for the Visually Impaired, the group observed tactile maps, adapted teaching materials, visual aids, and participated in a music class. At the Taipei Special Education School, they toured rehabilitation rooms, multisensory stimulation rooms, practice factories, and specially designed hallways with large traffic lights for teaching safety and wide barrier-free ramps. The UT-Austin group gained a comprehensive understanding of Taiwan’s special education system and received handmade souvenirs from the students.
Outstanding NTNU alumnus Du Yi-Zheng, who has received the Ministry of Education's public scholarship and will pursue graduate studies in the U.S. in the fall of 2024, shared his experiences in special education. Drawing from his background in general schools, volunteer work, and his role as a special education teacher, Du discussed the services provided in Taiwan's general schools, curriculum design, teaching materials, and tools. The class concluded with a discussion on the differences in placement types between Taiwan and the U.S., the implementation of the "Least Restrictive Environment" principle, and the benefits and challenges of promoting inclusive education.
Beyond academic exchanges, the participants from UT-Austin also visited significant historical and human rights sites in Taiwan, such as the Jingmei Human Rights Museum and the 228 Peace Park. They also explored traditional Taiwanese cuisine and local customs, enriching their cultural perspectives and gaining a deeper understanding of Taiwanese lifestyle and values. This experience expanded their academic knowledge and provided profound cultural experiences during their exchange trip.