General information

The tasks of the representative for students with disabilities are legally based on the Higher Education Framework Act (§ 2 para. 4), the Thuringian Higher Education Act (§ 5 para. 7 and para. 8) and the basic regulations of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (§ 1 para. 7). The tasks of the Representative for Students with Disabilities essentially include coordinating the various programmes for disabled and chronically ill students, representing the interests of those affected within the university and providing advice in individual cases of conflict.

Individual equalisation measures

Applicants and students with disabilities should contact the representative for students with disabilities as early as possible to discuss the necessity, type and extent of compensation for disadvantages and to assert their claims. The organisation of the compensation measures must always be arranged individually. They must be applied for. Possible forms can be found in the recommendation for the implementation of compensation for disadvantages for disabled or chronically ill students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

Recommendation on the implementation of compensation for disadvantages for disabled or chronically ill students at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses often have to struggle with disability-related disadvantages when starting and completing their studies, which result from legal requirements regarding the timing of their studies and the organisation of performance assessments.

The universities are obliged to create equal conditions for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, among other things through the provisions of the Higher Education Framework Act that have been converted into state law. Individualised compensation for disadvantages is intended to prevent discrimination and ensure participation in university life.

Section 49 (3) of the ThürHG stipulates the inclusion of regulations for the compensation of disadvantages for disabled or chronically ill students in the examination regulations of the universities. At Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, this has led to the inclusion of the passage
"If the candidate can credibly demonstrate that he/she is unable to take examinations in the intended form in whole or in part due to a prolonged or permanent physical disability, the candidate shall be permitted, upon application to the responsible examination board, to take the examinations within an extended processing time or to take equivalent examinations in another form. A medical certificate may be required for this purpose."
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The design of the compensation for disadvantages

The organisation of the compensation for disadvantages is the responsibility of the relevant examination board on the basis of a Case-by-case examination. It is recommended that the following points are taken into account:

1. Proof of disability or chronic illness must generally be provided in the form of a severely disabled person's pass or, if this is not available, an official medical certificate.
2. The type and scope of the examination modifications should be discussed in advance with the student concerned and, if possible, already be the subject of the application. The contact person for the student is the Student Service Centre and/or the respective examination board chairperson. In principle, there is no entitlement to a specific form of compensation for disadvantages.
3. Any form of compensation for disadvantages must provide equivalent performance requirements.

Possible forms of compensation for disadvantages

The following non-exhaustive list contains possible forms of compensation for disadvantages:

• Written instead of oral examination (e.g. for students with hearing or speech impairments)
• Oral instead of written examination (e.g. for blind students)
• Term paper instead of presentation (e.g. for students with hearing or speech impairments)
• Time extensions for exams (e.g. for students with motor impairments)
• Separate room for exams or placement at the edge of the exam room (e.g. for students with anxiety disorders)
• Use of technical aids (e.g. notebook) or personal assistance (e.g. sign language interpreter)
• Consideration of periods of illness and limited ability to work in the assessment of examination periods and coursework (e.g. extension of examination periods for theses, written examinations, term papers, etc.)
• Not taking into account withdrawals due to illness/disability in the number of possible exam retakes
• Substitution of compulsory attendance by other achievements (e.g. additional homework)
• Modification of practical examinations through the use of assistants and technical aids; possibly replacement by other services
• Amendment of internship regulations, possibly also waiver of proof of internship
• Modification of excursion regulations, possibly also waiver of proof of excursion
• Modification of registration formalities for the enrolment of compulsory courses