Adjustments to compensate for disabilities/impairments

Beratung für Studierende mit Behinderung

Adjustments to compensate for disabilities (Nachteilsausgleiche) are neither a privilege for students with impairments nor do these adjustments mean that students with impairments are subject to less rigorous standards in examinations or assessments. Rather, such adjustments provide conditions in which students can complete coursework and take examinations in a fair way.

Students often have difficulties when it comes to acknowledging their own impairments to themselves and others. Often, they do not claim adjustments out of fear or shame. Others put their academic success at risk by wrongly evaluating their performance and the obstacles in their studies caused by the impairment.

Many of the resulting difficulties can be avoided if you are well-informed about the topic of adjustments to compensate for disabilities right from the start.

Students who are in danger of being at a disadvantage in examinations due to a disability or chronic illness are entitled to adjustments. This right to adjustments for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses is established in many legislative texts in Germany:

In the German Basic Law (Article 3)
In the German Higher Education Framework Act (Section 2 and Section 16 HRG)
In the Higher Education Acts of the German Länder (Article 2 para. 3 BayHSchG)
In examination regulations and
In the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Adjustments for students with a disability and/or chronic illness are supposed to enable students to complete their studies and examinations under equal conditions. This is the case for instance, when students suffer from

Somatic diseases
Mental illnesses
Motor impairments
Sensory impairments
Speech impairments
Partial performance disorders
Autism spectrum disorders

Everything to know about the KU’s adjustments

[Translate to Englisch:] Nachteilsausgleich der KU. Im Bild: Studentin und Beraterin sitzen sich gegenüber

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FAQ

Who can I contact about my questions?

Please contact the Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, Dr. Renate Hackel-de Latour, with any queries you might have. Besides the responsible chairperson of the board of examiners, she is the contact for your claims for adjustments.

How do I apply for adjustments?

A handwritten and signed application (see last point) with suitable evidence on the impairment in an examination situation has to be sent to the chairperson of the board of examiners. Original document only, please do not send a copy of your letter. The chairperson will then reach a decision by themselves or after consulting the Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses and will then inform the student by letter of their decision. A copy of this letter will be sent to the Examinations Office. The student must show the lecturer this letter in good time before any examination. We recommend students to consult the Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses beforehand.

What types of adjustments are there?

Adjustments can take different forms:

Extra time to complete examinations and extra preparation time
Adding the amount of time a student has spent on breaks to their examination time
Extension to the examination time by the time the student has spent on breaks
Examinations in separate rooms with individual supervision
Longer deadlines for written assignments and final theses
Changing the type of examination
Modification of practical examinations
Permission for use of supporting materials and aides
Provision of adjusted examination documents
Non-consideration of spelling mistakes in written examinations

Are there also adjustments for written assignments and final theses?

Yes, even for written assignments and final theses you can claim adjustments. In particular, an extension of the submission deadline is possible.

Do I have to apply for adjustments for every single examination?

No, if your disability is not likely to pass, you can apply for permanent adjustments. In case of a passing impairment, such as a bone fracture, temporary adjustments can be claimed for all or only individual types of examination.

Do adjustments only apply to examinations?

No, in classrooms, students can also work according to their individual disabilities. Of course, you can always bring along your own assistive equipment or use a computer, if this is necessary due to your impairment.

Where can I get more information?

The following documents explain the adjustments in more detail. However, so far, they are only available in German. We recommend you contact your Officer for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses to help you with any remaining questions.

Nachteilsausgleich wegen ständiger Behinderung/Beeinträchtigung für alle Prüfungen

Vorübergehender Nachteilsausgleich für einzelne Prüfungen

Vorübergehender Nachteilsausgleich für (eine) Prüfungsforme(n)