Studying with a disability

“People with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, psychological, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full, effective and equal participation in society.” (Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

Various health impairments can arise both from birth and throughout a person’s life; these may be short- or long-term, and visible or invisible. The Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Education Act, the German Basic Law and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guarantee you the right to study free from discrimination and with equal opportunities.

Worms University of Applied Sciences offers you a range of options to successfully complete your degree without barriers. However, many students with disabilities are unaware of their rights and often only seek advice from support services once they have started their studies. It is therefore best to find out more before you begin your studies and seek advice.

Consultancy services

The services provided by the Representative for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses include:

General information on accessibility in higher education
. Accessibility does not merely mean ensuring that buildings are accessible, but also providing information, literature and learning materials, as well as technical aids such as study and communication support, and making reasonable adjustments in teaching sessions.

Advice and information on adjustments and applications
for hardship cases Applications for adjustments can be made to the relevant examination board after enrolment. Applications for a place on a degree programme on the grounds of hardship must be submitted together with the application for admission. Information on the procedure for applying for measures to compensate for disadvantages can be found on the Examinations Administration page.

Help and support with applications for measures
to compensate for disadvantages Depending on the nature of the impairment, there are individual options for compensating for a disadvantage. We would be happy to advise you on which option is most suitable in your case. Under Section 26 of the Rhineland-Palatinate Higher Education Act (LHG) (as at October 2020), upon application by students with disabilities, the representative for the interests of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses is entitled to attend oral examinations.

Advice on optimising your studies

General information on accommodation, meals, transport, integration support, etc.

On-site consultation

Consultation appointments can be arranged by telephone on +49 6241 509-186 or by email at studiummitbeeintraechtigung@hs-worms.de.

Further sources of information and advice: