Ugo Demangeon, a 4th-year environmental engineering student at UniLaSalle Rennes, is pursuing a dream: to promote greater inclusion of students with disabilities within engineering schools. In addition to his coursework, the Rennes-based student is actively involved in the Diversity and Inclusion division of the BNEI, the National Office of Engineering Students. This role led him to launch a project to raise awareness about disabilities through the creation of a serious game.
Handécap, a serious game designed to train student councils
It all started with an observation: “At engineering schools, only 2% of students have a disability.” He attributes this figure in part to the difficulty of the coursework. So, to raise awareness about support services, Ugo and his peers from the Diversity and Inclusion group decided to educate students about disability through a fun and engaging format. The Handécap project was born.
“We wanted to change perceptions of disabilities, especially invisible ones,” says Ugo, proud of all the work they’ve accomplished. To educate student councils across France on these issues, the BNEI team chose to develop a serious game. A format that is at once fun, educational, and immersive, it won over the jury of the SMERRA Foundation’s Student Initiatives competition. Last February, Handécap won first prize in the “Acting for Students’ Future” category, along with a €3,000 grant to help roll out the game. A source of pride for Ugo.
UniLaSalle, a school that stands out
With 9.4% of its students having disabilities, UniLaSalle stands out as a leader in higher education. “Two of its four campuses—UniLaSalle Beauvais and UniLaSalle Rennes—even exceed 10%,” says Xavier Quernin, UniLaSalle’s Disability Representative, enthusiastically.
This figure is made possible by the proactive support policy implemented by UniLaSalle’s Mission Handicap, which offers personalized solutions to the approximately 365 students with disabilities.
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Develop your projects while enjoying ideal study conditions: a closer look at the study contract
To carry out this project, Ugo Demangeon received a research grant as part of his studies at UniLaSalle Rennes.
This program, designed for students involved in major community projects, entrepreneurship, or elite sports, offers them a lighter course load so they can devote more time to their projects.
“In practical terms, I have fewer classes than the other students in my class, which frees up time for projects like Handécap,” Ugo agrees.
Community projects are certainly very time-consuming, but they also provide students who take the plunge with a wide range of skills. Team leadership, project management, teamwork… These are soft skills that are also acquired through hands-on experience.
That is why UniLaSalle considers students' involvement in student organizations to be an integral part of their education and values such qualities.
