Studying with a disability or chronic illness

Source: https://www.fau.eu/studying/organizing-your-studies-and-where-to-go-for-advice/studying-with-special-requirements/studying-with-a-disability-or-chronic-illness/ Parent: https://www.fau.eu/

In order to allow inclusion, participation and equal opportunities among students, FAU offers consultations for students with disabilities and chronic diseases.

FAU’s Liaison Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses is the person anyone interested in studying who has a disability or chronic illness should contact to discuss all matters relating to studying at FAU (for instance, admission to the degree program, accessibility, examinations).

Consultations are confidential.

Further information is available below followed by a list of links to various internal and external advisory offices.

What is compensation for disadvantages?

When at university, compensation for disadvantages are measures taken to compensate for any difficulties caused by your disability during your studies and in examinations. They are always tailored individually to each specific case and are not allocated on a “one size fits all” basis. They depend, for example, on the extent of the disability and the degree program studied.

Compensation for disadvantages does not entail any advantages.

The achievement goals stipulated in the degree program and examination regulations remain the same. Students with disabilities and/or chronic diseases are entitled to compensation for disadvantages, but not necessarily in the form they would like.

Requirements to apply for compensation for disadvantages

In order to apply for compensation for disadvantages, students must have a disability and/or chronic illness as defined in Section 3 of the German Federal Act on Equality for People with Disabilities (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz, BGG):

• Disability: “Persons are considered to have a disability if it is highly probable that their physical or intellectual ability or mental health will deviate from that which is generally expected for their age for a period of more than six months, thereby affecting their ability to participate in society.”
• Chronic illness: According to guidelines applicable in Germany, “an illness is defined as being serious and chronic if it has to be treated by a doctor at least once every quarter for a period of one year or longer (long-term treatment).”
• Pregnancy: There is no need for compensation for disadvantages in the event of a pregnancy. If you have any questions relating to examinations, please contact the Examinations Office directly. Further information and advice

How to apply for compensation for disadvantages at FAU

Please note that different rules apply for State Examinations.

1. 1. Preliminary proceedings

Write an email outlining your situation to beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.de. We will arrange a consultation to clarify which type of compensation for disadvantages is required.

After the appointment, you should send a currently valid medical certificate from a medical specialist as a pdf scan to beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.de. We do not require any originals!\ A medical certificate must include the following:

Doctor’s recommendation for compensation for disadvantages

Diagnosis or at least symptoms (and expected duration)

Effects on studying and examinations 2. ### 2. Letter of recommendation for compensation for disadvantages

You receive an email from us with a letter of recommendation for compensation for disadvantages and your medical certificate as an attachment, which you should then forward to the Examinations Office (you will receive the contact details from us). In the text of the email you should write: “Hiermit beantrage ich einen Nachteilsausgleich gemäß dem Empfehlungsschreiben im Anhang” (I would hereby like to apply for compensation for disadvantages pursuant to the letter of recommendation attached). 3. ### 3. Review and notification

The Examinations Committee at your faculty checks your case. Once it has been checked, the Examinations Committee will send you an official notification of the compensation for disadvantages by post.\ Please submit this notification to the examiner at least one week before the examination in order for the measures to be implemented.

Advice and contact

FAU’s Liaison Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses is the person anyone interested in studying who has a disability or chronic illness should contact to discuss all matters relating to studying at FAU (for instance, admission to the degree program, accessibility, examinations).

Consultations are confidential.

Contact

• Email: beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.de
• Phone: +49 9131 8561112

Advisory services

The following lists further relevant advisory services available at FAU.

Representatives for disabled and chronically ill students at FAU

Contact

• Email: beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.de
• Phone: +49 9131 85-61112

Deputy Disability Liaison Officer

Contact

• Email: beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.deEmail: salome.hoefler@fau.de
• Phone: +49 9131 85-71218

Further counseling centers within FAU

General questions:

Advice for the disabled or chronically ill on spending time abroad and special funding available as part of the Erasmus program:

Independent point of contact pursuant to Section 25 BayHIG (Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act) for anti-discrimination

Harriet Ziegler

Counseling centers outside FAU

• Counseling service of Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg (Psychologisch-Psychotherapeutische Beratungsstelle des Studentenwerks Erlangen-Nürnberg)
• German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk); advice for prospective students and students with a disability
• Center for Self-Determined Living with Disabilities (Zentrum für selbstbestimmtes Leben Behinderter e.V.)
• Pfennigparade Help for disabled people starting a career
• District of Middle Franconia (Bezirk Mittelfranken)
• Guide on distance learning for students with disabilities from Consortium for Lifelong Learning (Arbeitsgemeinschaft lebenslanges Lernen)
• Social psychiatric service from Caritas Erlangen

FAQ on compensation for disadvantages in examinations

The following gives answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding compensation for disadvantages.

When should I apply for compensation for disadvantages?

Please contact beeintraechtigt-studieren@fau.de in good time. Ideally as soon as you start university or at the beginning of the semester. Please bear in mind that the Examinations Committee responsible has to check and approve your application for compensation for disadvantages and the examiner must plan for the approved measures (e.g. providing a separate examination room). If an application is submitted at too short notice for the Examinations Committee to grant its approval or for the approved measures to be implemented, you must sit the examination in accordance with the conditions stipulated in the examination regulations.

When and how are teaching staff and examiners informed about my compensation for disadvantages?

It is up to you to inform the examiner after registering for the examination, but at the latest one week before each examination, that you have been granted compensation for disadvantages and what you need in order to take the examination in accordance with the terms of your compensation for disadvantages. All you need to submit is the final notification of compensation for disadvantages (without your letter of recommendation and medical certificate). This does not include a diagnosis.

How long does compensation for disadvantages remain valid?

Compensation for disadvantages remains valid for the duration of one degree program at the longest, for example until such time as you complete your Bachelor’s degree program. If you decide to continue your studies and take a Master’s degree, you must reapply for the compensation of disadvantages. For some illnesses, it is necessary that the doctor includes a date on the medical certificate after which they would recommend reassessing the restrictions. Accordingly, the compensation for disadvantages is only valid until this date. At the end of the day, it is the Examinations Committee that decides on the duration of the compensation for disadvantages.

Which examinations does the compensation for disadvantages apply to?

The compensation for disadvantages applies to all university examinations at FAU, including those at the Language Centre and those during taster courses. Compensation for disadvantages issued by FAU is usually also accepted by the Virtual University of Bavaria (vhb).

What type of compensation for disadvantages is available?

• Extension of working time for course and examination assignments (such as written examinations, written assignments and final theses).
• Replacing oral with written achievements and vice versa, if the acquisition of the relevant skills can be proven via another type of examination.
• Permission to use technical aids in written or oral examinations (e.g. laptop, magnifying glass)
• Taking the examination in a separate room
• Extension to intervals between individual examinations
• Amendments to the rules for placements and excursions

Depending on the individual case and certificates available, other solutions are also plausible.

Is the fact that I was granted compensation for disadvantages stated in my degree certificate?

No, unlike in schools, compensation for disadvantages is not stated on your final degree certificate.

Who is informed about my impairment?

We treat your matter with confidence. In the first instance only those responsible for students with a disability can access your documents. In the next stage (if you decide to apply for compensation for disadvantages after the consultation), then also the Examinations Office and the Examinations Committee at your faculty.

When is there no need to apply for compensation for disadvantages?

• In the case of temporary restrictions, such as if you have broken the hand you write with. In this case, you can provide notification of illness by submitting a doctor’s certificate. Please contact the Examinations Office directly. If you decide to take part in the examination, the regular examination conditions will apply. It is not possible to receive compensation for disadvantages. No health-related restrictions can be taken into consideration after the examination.
• If it is necessary to change the room for an accessible room. Please contact the Examinations Office directly.
• In the case of pregnancy: If you have any questions relating to examinations, please contact the Examinations Office directly. Further information and advice: https://www.fau.de/education/beratungs-und-servicestellen/beratungsangebote/schwangerschaft-und-mutterschutz-im-studium/
• You can apply for an extension to the longest possible duration of studies or the preliminary phase (GOP) directly using the relevant forms, there is no need to apply for compensation for disadvantages.

Applying for compensation for disadvantages for State Examinations

You must file an application for compensation for disadvantages with the relevant ministries. The procedures and deadlines vary. We are happy to provide advice, if so requested.

• Law: Submit an informal application for compensation for disadvantages to the state judicial examinations office (Landesjustizprüfungsamt): https://www.justiz.bayern.de/landesjustizpruefungsamt/ansprechpartner/
• Teaching degrees: Send a signed application for compensation for disadvantages directly to the examinations office of the Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science and the Arts.\ Address: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Unterricht und Kultus – Prüfungsamt, Salvatorstraße 2, 80333 München.\ The examinations office of the Bavarian State Ministry of Educations, Science and the Arts is responsible for State Examinations and the Examinations Office of FAU for module examinations, following the procedure for granting compensation for disadvantages that is in place at FAU.
• Medicine/Dentistry: To apply for compensation for disadvantages, please contact the state examination office for medicine, pharmacy and psychotherapy: landespruefungsamt@reg-ob.bayern.de
• Pharmacy: To apply for compensation for disadvantages, please contact the state examination office for medicine, pharmacy and psychotherapy: landespruefungsamt@reg-ob.bayern.de

Further information

Read further for useful information on the topic.

Assistance during your studies

If you require assistance during your studies – such as a reader, assistant or sign language interpreter – you can apply for the costs of these to be covered by the regional social welfare authorities. The district authorities of Middle Franconia in Ansbach are responsible for students at FAU. If the district authorities are not able to pay a subsidy, you can contact the “Dr.-Willi-Rebelein-Stiftung” in Nuremberg.

Accessible accommodation

Anyone who can prove a degree of disability of at least 70 percent can apply for preferential consideration for a place in student accommodation run by Student Services. There are six places in FAU student accommodation at FAU Campus Erlangen (South) for students with limited mobility.

Admission to degree program

During the application procedure on hochschulstart.de and at FAU, there are a few additional things to take into account. If the degree program you would like to study is subject to a selection procedure, you can file a request for special consideration if you have a disability. When places are being allocated, you can file an application to be allocated a place at a certain location if you rely on being able to study in this location. You may also be able to base a claim on these reasons if you have a chronic illness. However, you should seek advice before submitting an application.

Accessibility of buildings

FAU has a large number of old buildings, not all of which are fully accessible yet. The University is working towards making its buildings accessible, but it will take time. Please do not hesitate to contact the FAU Disability Liaison Officer if you have difficulties getting to your destination, such as your lecture theater or an office. Steps to improve accessibility at FAU are being taken within the framework of the diversity audit “Vielfalt gestalten” (2016-2018) of the Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft.

"BliSeh" project

“BliSeh” is a project f or blind and visually-impaired students at FAU. It provides advice on technical facilities, compensation for disadvantages and starting a career. Above all, it offers key qualifications for blind or visually-impaired students. Point of contact: Dr. Wolfgang Krebs.