Samenvatting

This bachelor thesis presents the findings of Dutch Occupational therapy students during an Erasmus mobility at the Angel Kanchev University of Ruse. The aim of this bachelor thesis is to define and support the role of occupational therapy within inclusive education in Ruse, Bulgaria. To define how occupational therapy can fulfil a role within inclusive education both literature and practical research have been executed. The peer-reviewed literature reviews focussed on how schools can support their students with special needs and what the role of occupational therapy in the inclusive education setting can be. The practical research contained interviews with related parties and observations in schools that are practicing inclusive education. Findings show that a sustainable collaboration between partners is the most important factor of including occupational therapy in the educational environment. Schools can contribute to inclusive education providing involved parties with the resources they need, creating individual learning programs and adjusting the curriculum based on the abilities of the students. Occupational therapists can support inclusive education by assessing the student’s strengths and challenges, the occupational demands, the environment and providing advice towards partners who are involved in the student’s education. This report will describe how occupational therapy can contribute and how these findings can be implemented in Ruse, Bulgaria.