Studying With Disability

Swiss universities support measures and activities for students with disabilities or impairment.

Swiss universities are equally welcoming of disabled and non-disabled students. They are legally required not to discriminate and provide “barrier-free” access to the campus and to education and knowledge.

How to get advice and support?

Many Swiss universities have established an equal opportunity/gender & diversity or a special needs/disability office where advice and support are provided, the relevant contact persons are identified, and you are able to explain your own special needs.

Note:

• If you need reasonable adjustment or support, bring along written proof of your impairment. This is a “must” in order to receive the necessary support.
• Don’t forget to do this well in advance of the start of the semester or exams, as these procedures take time!

You may clarify what learning and exam support is available in case you need additional learning resources and/or extra time in tests and exams.

In addition, student counselling may also act as a source of advice.

The website www.swissuniability.ch (German/French) offers a collection of the respective links of the Swiss universities.

Accommodation: there are also options for special needs accommodation requests, which means you might get help in finding “barrier-free” housing.

Fun and leisure: even “special needs” social and sports events and tours on campus for wheelchair users can be organized if you contact your disability/special needs office or the student organisations.

Financial support: you may also ask your university or the mobility foundation MOVETIA www.movetia.ch, whether special financial support (disability insurance) for students with disabilities is available.

Link

• Swiss organization for people with a disability: AGILE (German/French)