1. Who can apply for compensation for disadvantage?
Students with impairments that limit their ability to study can apply for compensation for disadvantage. These include diagnosed impairments and conditions such as AD(H)S, autism spectrum disorder, mental health challenges, dyslexia and dyscalculia, impaired mobility, hearing impairment, visual impairment, and chronic illness.
2. What is compensation for disadvantage?
Compensation for disadvantage typically includes adjustments to the study and exam conditions to ensure the student is not limited in his or her ability to study. Compensation for disadvantage ensures equal access to studying for all students, irrespective of their impairment. Compensation for disadvantage is the most immediate and direct way to remove barriers a student might encounter in their studies.
Students entitled to compensation for disadvantage must acquire and demonstrate the same skills and meet the same admission requirements as their peers. Typically, supporting measures are adaptations of the study and/or exam setting and overall infrastructure (cf. question 11).
The academic ordinances of the HSLU’s Schools regulate studying with an impairment and guarantee the right to compensation for disadvantage. These rules apply to all education programmes as well as continuing and executive education formats.
By promoting the removal of barriers and more inclusivity in teaching, the HSLU can reduce the number of instances where compensation for disadvantage is required.
3. Where can I submit my application for compensation for disadvantage?
The application form and proof of impairment must be submitted to the relevant head of programme at the applicant’s School.
4. What documents will I have to submit when applying for compensation for disadvantage?
To be eligible for compensation for disadvantage, students must submit proof of impairment in the form of a detailed medical report and/or assessment by a qualified specialist unit and a completed application form.
Proof of impairment: to obtain compensation for disadvantage, a detailed medical report and/or assessment by a qualified specialist unit is required. It must contain a current and detailed diagnosis setting out the impairment’s likely impact on the student’s academic performance (revising, exams, etc.) in detail. If the impairment is temporary, this must be noted in the report or assessment.
Students applying for compensation for disadvantage fill out the relevant application form themselves. The application form for compensation for disadvantage can be found here.
You are required to refer to or reference the report submitted as proof of impairment in the “information about the impairment” section of the application form.
Describe the tasks and situations in your studies where you expect to encounter difficulties under “Expected effects on my studies”. This must be based on the document you submit as proof of impairment.
Name the specific type(s) of compensation for disadvantage required in the “Application for special provisions and support from the university” section. You can do this based on your personal experience with things that have helped you with your studies and education in the past.
Read the fact sheets on barrier-free learning available on the website of the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning for more information on the different forms of compensation for disadvantage.
5. Who can help me with questions around compensation for disadvantage?
The Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning and your head of degree programme both offer advice on the subject.
6. Are different students entitled to different measures when granted compensation for disadvantage?
Yes, it is important that students consider their own personal situation when applying. Sharing a diagnosis such as ADHS with others does not necessarily mean the necessary measures are the same as well. Specific study and exam conditions also play a role in the design of the measures granted.
7. Who decides whether compensation for disadvantage is granted?
The relevant head of programme decides whether compensation for disadvantage is granted.
8. Do I have to observe a deadline when submitting my application?
The HSLU has an application period to apply for disadvantage compensation for assignments and exams. To ensure the measures required can be put in place when needed, applications must be filed within the first third of the modules in question.
Applications that do not concern assessed assignments can be submitted any time.
9. Are students with compensation for disadvantage required to perform at the same level as their peers?
Yes, all students must acquire and demonstrate the same skills and knowledge and meet the same admission criteria. General ability to study and take exams is a requirement. The degree awarded is equivalent to one earned without compensation for disadvantage.
10. If I receive compensation for disadvantage, will it be mentioned in the graduation documents?
No, your graduation certificate will not mention compensation for disadvantage.
11. What kinds of compensation are available?
Supportive measures for disadvantage compensation typically take the shape of adaptations of the study and exam settings and of the general infrastructure. Possible measures to ensure equitable study and exam conditions include, but are not limited to (cf. concept of studying “barrier free” with physical impairments on the website):
• Additional time granted to complete seminar papers, homework, bachelor’s and master’s theses
• If in-person attendance is required for an assessed assignment: replacement with other forms of academic achievement (e.g., additional homework, distance learning)
• Homework assignment instead of giving a presentation
• Change in requirements for internships
• More time granted for exams
• Option of writing an exam in a separate room
• Rest times granted during exams that do not count towards the official time available
• Splitting of an assessed assignment into smaller sub-assignments
• Extension of period between exams
• Written assignments to complement oral exams or full substitution of oral by written exams
• Admission or provision of additional technical resources
• Use of personal assistance (e.g., sign language interpreter, speech-to-text interpreter, or other)
• Option to withdraw from exams in case of acute symptoms appearing
• Student gets course materials early.
12. Who can I talk to if the compensation for disadvantage or the measures granted are unsuitable?
If you have a documented impairment with the potential to impact your study performance, you are entitled to compensation for disadvantage. Both its form and the measures approved depend on your current health; there is no entitlement to a specific measure.
Please refer to the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning in case of queries or problems.
13. What are the responsibilities of the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning?
The Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning provides advice around accessibility for students with an impairment. It is available free of charge to students and employees of the HSLU alike.
The Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning provides personal advice and support for students with an impairment. The Contact point only acts upon request. Its role is to offer advice; it has no decision-making power.
If required, the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning provides assistance with the drafting of applications for compensation for disadvantage. It advises the heads of degree programme in the design and correct implementation of accessibility measures.
The Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning also offers general advice on the topic. It champions a barrier-free university for students with impairments. The team of experts at the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning comprises lecturers from the Lucerne School of Social Work’s Competence Centre for Disability and Quality of Life.
14. Do I have to go through the Contact Point to apply for compensation for disadvantage?
There is no need to consult the contact point first when applying for compensation for disadvantage. You can directly submit the required documents to your head of degree programme.
15. Does the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning charge a fee for its services?
The Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning offers its services free of charge and without restrictions.
16. Will information about my impairment and challenges be shared with anyone?
Medical and diagnostic data are protected private information. The head of degree programme consults them to decide on the approval of compensation for disadvantage.
Full confidentiality is granted concerning the grounds for compensation for disadvantage, while the measures approved may be shared with all parties involved.
It is the students’ decision whether and how to inform their environment.
17. Who will inform my lecturers about my compensation for disadvantage?
The head of programme ensures lecturers are notified about any measures approved as compensation for disadvantage or directly informs them him- or herself.
18. Can I apply for compensation retroactively, after failing an exam?
If you have failed an exam, you cannot retroactively change this result by applying for compensation for disadvantage. You must submit your application before taking the exam and observe the relevant deadlines.
19. Are people who struggle with German entitled to compensation for disadvantage?
Insufficient German language skills are no grounds for compensation for disadvantage.
20. Where can I find more information about studying with an impairment?
Learn more on the website of the Contact Point for Barrier-free Learning.
Among other things, it provides information about application periods, the application form for compensation for disadvantage, the concept of “barrier-free” at the HSLU, and fact sheets to promote barrier-free learning and on creating accessible documents.
Learn more about compensation for disadvantage on https://www.swissuniability.ch/
