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Barrier-free to academic success

Studying with a disability or chronic illness – focus on your strengths. Students with physical, mental or psychological disabilities or impairments, as well as those with chronic illnesses, receive targeted and reliable support at SRH University. Our accessible study programmes accompany you from the start of your studies to a successful career start.

A young woman in a wheelchair sits smiling in a library, holding books in her hands. In the background, shelves filled with books are visible.
Learning disabilities are influenced by various factors such as ADHD, dyslexia, and memory issues. Support and educational elements are also highlighted.

What we offer for your studies

  • Advice on individual support options during your studies
  • Information and assistance with compensation for disadvantages in university admission and examinations in cooperation with the examination offices
  • Advice on the need for barrier-free infrastructure
  • Information on funding opportunities for care and assistance services or vocational rehabilitation
  • Vocational rehabilitation concept on the Heidelberg campus
A person in a wheelchair is sitting in front of a modern building with large orange letters spelling the word 'core.
As a student with a disability, I constantly encounter obstacles. But at SRH University in Heidelberg, I find the freedom to educate and develop myself into the person I want to become. Freedom begins not only in architecture, but is also evident in interdisciplinary studies, inclusive educational opportunities and individual support.
Maike-Martina Lochschmidt – BA Social Work student at SRH University, Heidelberg campus

Some background information

Every person has strengths – the key is to recognise and nurture them.
Around 16% of students at German universities have a physical or mental impairment that affects their studies (22nd Social Survey of the German Student Services Organisation, 2024).

For many years, SRH University has been supporting students with health impairments on their path to successfully completing their studies. Founded in 1969 as an ‘institution for the vocational rehabilitation of people with disabilities,’ we remain committed to this tradition. Our goal is clear: to give all students the opportunity to successfully complete their studies and ease their transition into working life.

Studying with a physical or mental impairment or a chronic illness often presents particular challenges. Questions arise such as:

  • What options do I have in exams if, for example, I need more time or an aid?
  • How can I catch up on courses if, for example, I have to spend a longer period in hospital due to my impairment?
  • What aids am I allowed to use in everyday university life? Where can I apply for them?
  • What are the spatial conditions like if I need a wheelchair or have a visual impairment? ……
     

For us, inclusive studying at SRH University means:

We focus on inclusive offerings even before students begin their studies:

  1. Study information days, collaborations with institutions such as the Stephen Hawking School, and individual counselling during the information and application process.
  2. Regular communication with our students helps to further break down existing barriers.
  3. Individual counselling at all stages of the programme ensures that students receive the best possible support.
  4. Through training and further education, we sensitise staff and students to an inclusive teaching and learning atmosphere.

It is not always easy to apply for disadvantage compensation. Often, the underlying thought is that one does not want to gain an advantage. However, disadvantage compensation is not an advantage. Rather, as enshrined in Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is about giving people with disabilities equal access to higher education. The examination board always decides on disadvantage compensation on the basis of individual and situation-specific health conditions. It is important to understand which measures enable appropriate compensation.

The examination regulations provide a legal framework for this.

Compensation for disadvantages can be granted, for example, in the form of:

  • time extensions
  • approval of technical aids
  • writing assistance or other measures tailored to individual needs.
We are here for you Please feel free to contact us at any time if you need assistance.

Even before you start your studies, we provide individual support in the form of advice and information on suitable programmes. 

Here you can find the flyer

Please feel free to contact us