HandiWeek 2026: a week to raise awareness of inclusion issues at university

Imagined for the entire UPHF community, the 2026 program features conferences, workshops and immersive experiences to better understand people's realities and help practices evolve.
For almost 10 years, HandiWeek UPHF has been a key event in raising awareness of the need for a truly inclusive university, helping to change things for everyone through dialogue and experience. Many thanks to the Relais Handicap team who are behind this project.

An initiative rooted in the sustainable and inclusive university strategy

A pillar of the university's Disability Master Plan, HandiWeek is a lever for action to achieve success for all publics. Its aim is twofold:

• to raise awareness among the university community of the challenges of disability, whether visible or invisible, and of digital accessibility;
• to inform those concerned of the support measures and study accommodations available to them.

Remember that in higher education, students with special needs can benefit from accommodations ranging from the adaptation of exams to that of study conditions, via specific human or technical aids. The aim of all these arrangements is to guarantee equal opportunities and success in their academic careers. HandiWeek helps to make them widely known, and also helps to de-dramatize and destigmatize the fact of resorting to them.

Throughout the week, events devised by the Relais Handicap UPHF will tackle disability from a variety of angles. Awareness-raising, sport, professional insertions, inclusive pedagogy, immersive experiences, legal framework: in 2026, the program is once again very comprehensive.

HandiWeek 2026 program

Understanding disability and inclusive policies

Conference, "20 ans de la loi handicap : quels impacts pour l'Université"

This conference will take stock of Law no. 2025-102 of February 11, 2025, which has profoundly structured accessibility and inclusion policies in France. It will be conducted by Ms. Malika Boubékeur, national advisor Compensation/Autonomie/Accès aux droits/MDPH and Mr. Nicolas Merille, national advisor accéssibilité at APF France Handicap.
This conference will be preceded by contributions from colleagues and students, testifying to the support provided at the university.
Location: Amphi 150, Matisse building - Campus Mont Houy
Duration: 2h
Free access

Putting yourself in the other person's shoes

> Handi'Dej - "vis mon handicap à table"

This immersive meal offers participants an experience in a visually impaired or deaf situation, with one arm immobilized or forced to use a wheelchair. A concrete way of thinking about accessibility by experiencing people's everyday difficulties.
Dates & venues:
April 1, 11:30am-1:30pm, RU de Cambrai (RU)
April 2, 11:30am-1:30pm, Valenciennes RU (Campus Mont Houy)
Public: open to all, students and staff

Sport and inclusion

Hosted by STAPS students, this inclusive sports day will offer everyone the chance to discover adapted sports activities: boccia, showdown, serious game or motor courses.
. Location: Gymnasium A & B - Campus Mont Houy
Open to students and staff
. Free access

Disability and the world of work: understanding the issues, mobilizing energies for integration

Printemps du Handicap with Cap emploi

Specifically designed for UPHF teachers and administrative staff, the aim is to understand, through role-playing, working conditions in a disabled situation and the levers favoring professional integration.
Dates & venues:
March 31, 2pm, Maubeuge Campus
April 1, 2pm, Cambrai Campus
April 2, 2pm, Mont Houy Campus, IMTD
Public: UPHF administrative and teaching staff
. On registration until March 25: @email

Summer Jobs Fair, cluster of handi-accommodating companies

A must-attend event in the university spring, this fair enables students to meet local recruiters and discover a variety of professional opportunities, including those offered by companies most committed to the employment and inclusion of people with disabilities. Find out more.
Date: April 2, 2pm to 5pm
Location: IMTD, Campus Mont Houy (Tram T1, university stop)
Public: students
Free access

Ateliers insertion pro

Boosting your CV, getting the job interview right or boosting your networking with AI: three practical workshops have been devised to prepare disabled people for their entry into working life.
Date: April 3, 11am to 1pm
Location: Maison des services aux étudiants (MSE), Campus Mont Houy
Public: students
Free access

Towards a more inclusive pedagogy for the success of all

Workshop - raising awareness of inclusive pedagogy

A reflective workshop for teachers. The session will question current pedagogical practices and identify concrete, easily actionable avenues to make teaching more accessible to all.
Date: April 2, 2pm to 5pm
Location: room 114, Bât. Matisse, Campus Mont Houy
Public: teachers and administrative staff involved
Register

A convivial closing time

To extend the exchanges and share initial feedback from HandiWeek 2026, the MSE will open its doors to all, for the time of a closing drink. It will take place on Friday April 3 at 1pm. We look forward to seeing many HandiWeek participants.