About our information and advice centre
The Contact and Information Centre for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (KIS) and the University Board Representative for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses have the task of working towards the implementation of the HRK recommendation "A University for All" at the University of Würzburg, taking into account equal opportunities and participation in studies, in order to make a significant contribution to improving the study situation of students with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
The work of the Contact and Information Centre for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (KIS) is based on the applicable laws, such as the UN CRPD, the Disability Equality Act (BGG), the social laws, in particular the Social Code on Basic Security for Jobseekers (SGB II), the Social Code on Participation and Rehabilitation (SGB IX) and the Social Code on Social Assistance (SGB XII) or the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act.
The Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act came into force on 1 January 2023.
The obligation to ensure the participation of university members with disabilities and chronic illnesses was newly enshrined in Art. 24. It now states: "In performing their duties, universities shall promote the effective realisation of the equal participation of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses in university life by taking appropriate precautions and shall take this into account as a guiding principle."
The obligation to appoint a representative for the interests of students with disabilities and chronic illnesses is also enshrined in Art. 24. It is provided by law (Art. 118) that a representative for students with disabilities from a university within the Studierendenwerk's area of responsibility is represented on all administrative boards of the Studierendenwerk.
Art. 84 contains the obligation to provide for compensation for disadvantages in examinations: "(...) Approval shall be refused if the examination regulations (...) do not take into account the special needs of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses within the meaning of the Bavarian Equal Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act to ensure their equal opportunities."
Representative for the interests of students with of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses:
(1) 1 The University shall appoint a person from among the full-time employees of the University to act as a representative for the interests of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses and to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in their studies.
2 The University shall also appoint a deputy.
3 The student representatives in the Senate shall submit proposals.
(2) 1 The representative and his or her deputy shall be elected by the Senate from among the full-time employees of the University.
2 The election shall be for the duration of the Senate's term of office; it shall take place before the expiry of the term of office of the current representative and his or her deputy.
3 Re-election is permissible.
4 If a representative or their deputy leaves office prematurely, a by-election shall be held for the remainder of the term of office.
(3) 1 The representative shall not be bound by instructions within the scope of his or her activities and shall participate in the decisions of the University insofar as these concern the interests of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
2 Otherwise, Art. 24 para. 2 and 3 BayHIG shall apply.
(4) 1 The representative shall support the Presidential Board in its task of taking into account the special needs of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses when organising study conditions.
2 He or she advises students with disabilities or chronic illnesses and the faculties on any problems that arise and submits a report on the situation of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses to the Presidential Board, the Senate and the Student Parliament once per academic year.
3 She or he is
1. to be involved in good time by the responsible faculty in the planning of construction measures and
2. in changes and revisions to examination and study regulations
.
Our tasks in detail:
- Counselling for prospective students, students, graduates and teaching staff, the building department and the state building authority
- Analysing the current state of accessibility for people with mobility and sensory impairments
- Creation of information material on the topic of studying and disability
- Tutor training and organisation of further training courses
- Cooperation with institutions of the University of Würzburg (student counselling, examination office, student office, student advisors, ...), with the City of Würzburg and the Studierendenwerk Würzburg (student services)
- Further development and maintenance of the homepage
- Cooperation with supra-local organisations (e.g. Sozialverband VdK e.V., Deutsches Studierendenwerk e.V., Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Kultus und Unterricht ...)
- Representation of the representative at symposia and conferences
Our services:
We support and advise students as well as all teaching staff, university bodies and committees in didactic, structural, socio-legal and organisational matters.
In addition, we offer a conversion of course materials ino accessible formats for students with visual impairments/blindness and dyslexia.
We also offer aids and equipment in our assistive equipment loan service that students with disabilities can borrow to participate in courses. Lecturers whose courses are attended by students with disabilities can also borrow the equipment to make their courses accessible.
