Accessible University

The Accessible University Center advises and supports students and staff of OST Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences in overcoming challenges associated with neurodivergence or that result from a disability or chronic illness.

If you are experiencing academic challenges associated with neurodivergence, or as the result of a disability or chronic illness, you can apply for special academic consideration and reasonable adjustments to your assessment grades and performance records («compensation for disadvantages»).

Get in touch with us. We will be happy to offer you help and advice.

Students and executive education course participants

The center is geared toward students and executive education course participants

  • with physical impairments (e.g. hearing, visual, speech impairments, musculoskeletal disorders)
  • with psychiatric disorders (e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress)
  • with chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, rheumatism, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis)
  • neurodiverse individuals (e.g. students/course participants with dyslexia, dyscalculea, AD(H)D, autism) 

Support 

  • Advice on applying for compensation for disadvantages
  • Support with structural and technical obstacles
  • Networks for those entitled to compensation for disadvantages

Application

Neurodiverse students and students living with a disability or chronic illness may be confronted with problems that can negatively impact their studies. If you, as a neurodiverse student, or student living with a disability or chronic illness, are experiencing such problems, you can apply for special academic consideration and reasonable adjustments to your assessment grades and performance records («compensation for disadvantages»). 

Procedure

Contact the responsible accessibility officer at your place of study in good time for a confidential discussion. They will help and advise students entitled to compensation for disadvantages. To apply for compensation for disadvantages, please use the application form opposite (under Downloads).

Deadlines

In order to ensure that compensation for disadvantages is correctly implemented, it is necessary to submit the application, including the necessary documents, in good time to the Accessible University Center at your respective location.

Compensation for disadvantages can only be granted during the semester if the application is received by the Accessible University Center shortly after the start of the semester.

The deadline for final module examinations in the fall semester is week 45.
The deadline for final module examinations in the spring semester is week 15.

Enrolled students and executive education course participants should refer to the «Directive on compensation for disadvantages» on the Info Portal for further details and conditions.

For all members of the university

  • Information/advice on the topic of accessibility, studying and disability
  • Offers for professional contact with those entitled to compensation for disadvantages

For staff

  • Advice for day-to-day work when engaging with those entitled to compensation for disadvantages
  • Advice for neurodiverse staff and staff living with disabilities or chronic illnesses

For prospective students and external parties

  • Information/advice for prospective students and external persons/organizations

OST information sheets

The swissuniability.ch is a joint project of the Swiss Study and Disability Network (Netzwerk Studium und Behinderung Schweiz). The network is powered by the dedication of many members of Swiss universities, who continue to make a valuable contribution to the further development of the website with their knowledge and experience. The Swiss Study and Disability Network provides information sheets for teaching on various impairments as well as forms of neurodivergence.

«Accessibility» is understood to mean the equal and unrestricted access of all university members to buildings, premises, information, communication systems and technologies, services, resources, development prospects and relevant documents. Barriers are not only understood as physical or technical limitations, but also as attitudinal and environmental barriers. The Accessible University Center advocates for an accessible university that offers equal opportunities to all.

Do you have questions about the topic of accessibility, studying and disability? Do you require additional support? Would you like to apply for compensation for disadvantages? Get in touch with the contact person responsible at your place of study for a confidential discussion.

Downloads

Further information

«Accessible University» point of contact

Contact