FAQ Studying with disabilities and/or chron. Diseases

Compensation for disadvantages is intended to compensate for disadvantages caused by impairments.

They are anchored in law and can be applied for by students with disabilities or chronic illnesses for the organization and execution of their studies, e.g. in accessing the university, in studying, in examinations, in obtaining BAföG or in using university libraries.

Especially for students with disabilities or chronic illness, it is not possible to comply with time or formal requirements. In order to compensate for the lack of room for maneuver in the organization of studies and to adjust examination conditions, individual compensation for disadvantages becomes necessary.

The disadvantage compensation may not be noted in the certificate. In principle, students with disabilities and chronic illnesses are entitled to compensation for disadvantages, but not to a specific form of it.

Students who demonstrate a long-term impairment (longer than six months) may apply for disadvantage compensation.

A severely disabled person's ID card is not required for the application.

If the disadvantage compensation is required for an examination situation, the affected person should contact the responsible examination board and the examiner early enough to clarify all formalities.

If the disadvantage compensation concerns the modification of the study conditions (e.g. individual study plan, relocation of an internship), it will be checked in advance who is responsible for the respective approval.

In the case of a disadvantage compensation that affects the thesis, the disadvantage compensation is submitted in writing to the examination board/examination office.

An appeal can be lodged against a rejection.

If you have any questions or need support, please contact our Social Counseling Service.

The application for disadvantage compensation must be submitted in writing to the examination board or examination office or other designated offices.

In the application, the desired examination modifications must be named and their necessity must be justified. The health impairment and its specific effects on the examination must be documented. Suitable evidence can be, (one or more):

• Statement from the treating psychotherapist
• Treatment reports from hospital or rehab stay
• Statement from rehab provider
• Approval notices from providers of integration assistance
• (Severe) disability certificate or assessment notice from the pension office
• Statement by the university's representative for the disabled

An appeal can be lodged against a refusal.

In the online library (external link, only available in German) of the German Student Union, a lot of information is available under this keyword: General leaflets, guides.

There you will also find information on special diseases and impairments such as

• Autism
• dyslexia or dyscalculia
• mental illnesses
• visual impairments

For students with a disability or chronic illness, there are a number of special regulations regarding BAföG that affect the following areas:
- Age limit
- Income assessment
- Asset allowance
- Maximum funding period
- Change of degree program
- Loan repayment

To discuss your individual situation, please make an appointment with the Social Counselling or contact our Student financing.

If students are temporarily unable to pursue their studies due to illness, BAföG will be paid for a maximum of three additional months.

If the absence lasts longer, the responsible BAföG office must be informed in order to avoid reclaims. Payments will then be suspended until you resume your studies. In this case, you should consider whether it makes sense to take a leave of absence from your studies. During this time, under certain conditions, you can apply for basic security benefits (via SGB II or SGB XII) at the responsible Job Centre.

If you would like advice on this: our Social Counselling Service will support you.

The Studierendenwerk Darmstadt, as well as the two universities, have numerous buildings and locations.

On Wheelmap.org everyone who benefits from barrier-free/ground-level buildings will find information. It doesn't matter if you're in a wheelchair, have a buggy, use crutches, ...

TheIt is best if you describe the effects of your disability/chronic illness, e.g. level access, a parking space for a walker/wheelchair, light signals, ...

Please also contact the Housing Service team (in person, by email or by telephone) and indicate that you have applied for a room.

Please bring documents of proof about your impairment when you are invited to a personal appointment by us (disability certificate, hospital report, ...).

Yes, this is possible if you are entitled to public transport because of your disability. In this case, you can have the portion of your semester fee for the semester ticket reimbursed.

The reimbursement is handled by the AStA of your university (General Students' Committee). The AStA requires proof of disability and a valid token. You can get the token from the pension office. Ideally, the stamp should begin with the semester, i.e. on 1st of April or 1st of October.