ROC Rijn IJssel receives certificate for most inclusive VET website in the Netherlands
“Only when all students feel seen and supported can they truly flourish.” – Karina Visscher, director Rijn IJssel
Rijn IJssel today received the hallmark and accompanying certificate ‘Most inclusive VET website 2025’. The certificate was presented by Tom de Beer of ECIO to Karina Visscher, director of Rijn IJssel. The hallmark will be visible on the Rijn IJssel website. This recognition emphasizes the importance of inclusive online information for VET students. Almost a third of students need extra support due to learning difficulties, disabilities or chronic illnesses (JOB Monitor 2024). For them, it is essential that facilities are easy to find and understand so that they can participate optimally in education.
In addition to Rijn IJssel, Mondriaan and Deltion are also among the top three VET schools that scored high on the national criteria for inclusive information literacy.
“With this certificate, we recognize schools that take inclusion seriously and show that good information literacy contributes to equal opportunity.” – Frank Schoonbeek, ECIO
User-friendly and inclusive for all students
Some students need extra support due to, for example, a chronic condition, autism, ADHD or other support needs. Especially for them it is important that information is clear, findable and inclusive. Karina Visscher says that the hallmark contributes to the core values of Rijn IJssel to make education possible for everyone.
“Accessibility is a condition we offer our students. At Rijn IJssel, we believe that every talent counts. This hallmark confirms our commitment to clear, inclusive and findable education.” – Karina Visscher, director Rijn IJssel
How do students experience inclusion in education?
The JOB Monitor 2024 shows that many mbo students have trouble finding the right support. 32% of students, who indicate a need for extra support, do not know if their teachers are aware of it. This makes it all the more important that schools like Rijn IJssel offer an inclusive and easily findable online environment, in which students can immediately see what facilities are available and where they can go for help.
“It is very important that vocational schools recognize students with support needs as well as provide them with the information and resources they need.” – Tom de Beer, ECIO
Dozens of criteria for review
Rijn IJssel’s website was rated on more than 30 criteria, including:
- Findability of information about counseling and facilities;
- Use of clear, non-stigmatizing language;
- digital accessibility (such as keyboard navigation, subtitling and text alternatives);
- attention to recognizability, neutrality and timeliness in communication.
The information is pretty easy to find all, and Rijn IJssel does differ from other schools in that. Now it’s almost better than special education. – student by experience
Week of Accessibility
The presentation took place during the national Week of Accessibility (October 6-12, 2025), in which inclusive education is central this year. A fitting moment to make visible that all students should have access to clear and findable information about facilities and (financial) regulations in education.
Check out the photo impression below:
Watch the video below:
Unimpeded study
The Seal of Approval is part of the national plan of activities Unhindered Study in MBO. This plan is financially made possible by the Ministry of OCW. The goal is to help students with support needs have a successful study experience in the mbo.
Through onbelemmerdstuderen.nl, students will find, among other things:
- Information about facilities and counseling
- Explanation of laws and regulations
- Contacts within one’s own school
- And a test that guides them through the available options.
Together we contribute to equal opportunities in education and make studying possible without barriers.
