Studying with a disability or chronic illness

About 6-9% of students at the UvA have a disability, impairment or a chronic disease.

If your disability or illness might cause you problems studying, attending classes, or finding accommodation, you should contact the university in good time, preferably at least six months in advance.

To have any needs you may have taken into account, you will need a medical report. If you don't have one or have any questions about what will be required, please contact a student counsellor.

Please be aware of the fact that many of the university buildings are period buildings, located in the city centre. So not all buildings, lecture rooms and facilities are easily accessible.

Who can help?

Contact the programme manager who can refer you to a student counsellor. They can answer your questions about material and immaterial support, accessibility and housing.

For psychological problems, you can contact the Student Psychologists. For study related psychological problems such as RSI and stress, you may also contact the Student Doctors. The Dutch association for Disabilities and Study can also provide support.

If you need assistance in job hunting, the UvA's Student Career Centre can help you out.

What are the options?

Resources

A range of practical aids are available, including speech software, large screen computers and scan facilities. Additional academic counseling adjustments to the program and exams may be possible as well, under certain conditions. If you have occasional expenses linked to your disabilities, not reimbursable through another body, there is an emergency fund to which you can apply.

Examples of support and facilities include:

• extra exam time
• appropriate furniture and workplaces
• adapted study pace
• a ‘buddy' to help with planning and other study related skills

Study delays

If you need extra time for your studies because of your disability, it is possible to extend the period in which you receive a study grant from DUO - IB-Groep by twelve months, on the condition that you are receiving a scholarship (Prestatiebeurs).

Accommodation

In some cases, students with a disability may be given priority for housing. For questions about accommodation for students with disabilities, the student counsellor may advise and help you.

Career counselling

The Student Career Centre (SCC) has career counsellors who can give you advice about finding a job and how best to communicate your disability.

Workshop and Training

Once a year (April to June) there is a training course about job-hunting with a disability. There's also training about studying with dyslexia.

More information

• Service & Information Centre
   This includes the student services:

                 -Student Counsellors
                 -Student Psychologists
                 -Student Career Centre
                 -Student Doctors

• www.ib-groep.nl
• Association for Disabilities and Study, Utrecht. Website (English version): telephone: 030-2753300
• Student Charter - gives practical information
  about studying at the UvA