Studying with a disability and chronic illness

Before you apply

Preparation

What do I want to study? Where do I want to study? Think about these questions regardless of your impairment. Your own abilities and interests are decisive.

Once you have made your decision, you should research the conditions at your chosen university and place of study carefully:

• Are the teaching and learning spaces accessible without barriers?
• Are the necessary medical specialists available on site?
• Does the university have special programmes for students with disabilities?

Allow sufficient time to prepare for your studies and the application process. It is also best to make an appointment with the Contact and Information Centre for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (KIS).

 

Application

The same applies to prospective students with and without disabilities: The formal admission requirements must be met (e.g. A-levels).

If admission to the desired degree programme is restricted, prospective students can increase their chances of admission by providing evidence of the serious effects of their impairment and submitting a hardship application for immediate admission to the degree programme (i.e. without taking the A-levels into account).

While you are here

Structural accessibility

Whether accessibility, orientation aids, induction loops or quiet rooms – structural accessibility is not yet a given everywhere. KIS can apply to the university for smaller construction measures or the purchase of special equipment. Therefore, please contact KIS with your requirements in good time. If access to events cannot be provided, please also contact the KIS.

 

Accessibility in teaching

Accessibility standards also apply to digital and print media. Unfortunately, they are not always met. KIS supports you in the needs-based implementation of lecture materials.

Appropriate precautions in courses

Lecturers and fellow students should take your needs into account appropriately. This can mean that everyone uses a microphone, that the images in a presentation are verbalised or that you receive the lecture notes for preparation and follow-up. But it can also be about adapting break arrangements to your needs or organising office hours in such a way that you can also make use of them. Contact the lecturers with your requirements at an early stage. Bear in mind that lecturers need to understand the specifics of your study situation. Ask for confidentiality and agree which information may be passed on to third parties. In case of conflict, ask KIS for support.

 

Support during your studies

Compensations for disadvantages during studies are measures that compensate for impairment-related difficulties in the course of studies and in examinations.

Support services such as study assistants, aids, transport services, etc. can be financed via integration assistance. The type and scope of this depends on the individual impact of your impairment on your chosen degree programme. KIS will support you with the application process if required.

• Further information on integration assistance (German only)
• Recommendations of the BAGüS (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der überörtlichen Träger der Sozialhilfe und der Eingliederungshilfe, German only)

 

Lending conditions of the University Library

The University Library grants students with disabilities and chronic illnesses special lending and usage conditions.

Further information on the lending conditions of the University Library (German only)

Application form for lending conditions for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses (German only)

After you graduate

Employer service for severely disabled academics

The Employer Service for Severely Disabled Academics (Arbeitgeber-Service für schwerbehinderte Akademiker) of the International Placement Services (Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung, ZAV) is a nationwide service. It is the point of contact for both employers and jobseekers with regard to the recruitment and employment of severely disabled academics.

The ZAV provides placement-orientated support to severely disabled academics with a degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung, GdB) of at least 50 who are looking for work.

This includes

• Placement of job offers
• Targeted, applicant-orientated job acquisition
• Utilisation of existing networks
• Clarification of funding and support options
• Advice on application strategy

Contact:

Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV)
Arbeitgeber-Service für schwerbehinderte Akademiker
Villemombler Straße 76
53123 Bonn

Phone: +49 228 50208 2876

Email: zav.sbakademiker@arbeitsagentur.de

The ZAV addresses all disciplines, university graduates, young professionals, applicants with several years of professional experience or with management experience and shows steps that can lead to success on the labour market – in conjunction with an individually developed approach.