Do you have a disability, impairment, illness, or condition that may impact your studies? Erasmus University wants everyone to participate and enjoy their time as a student. Whether you have ADHD, are blind, (partially) paralyzed, depressed, dyslexic, hearing impaired, or chronically ill, studying can come with extra challenges. You might struggle with planning, mobility, listening, reading, maintaining an overview, or communication. On this page, you will find a lot of information and tips about studying with a disability.
Provisions
Do you have a disability and want to know how the university can support you during your studies? First, contact your study advisor to discuss which facilities and arrangements you can apply for. It’s best to do this before the academic year starts so that arrangements can be made in time. However, you are always welcome to schedule an appointment later in the year, even if you don’t have a disability but need (temporary) help or want more information about the possibilities.
Examination provisions
Exam provisions are always assigned on an individual basis. The examination board decides which provisions you are eligible for. Possible provisions include, for example, extra time of 30 minutes, reading or magnification software, or extra bathroom breaks. Self-study Facilities
Additionally, you can request several facilities from the SMF team (for self-study), such as:
- Access pass for certain elevators and doors
- Reading software for self-study
- Parking licenseOpens external
- Locker
- Peer coach
Tips for Students with a Disability
Besides the support and guidance that EUR can offer you, the following tips might help. These are general tips that apply to many students with disabilities. However, each student is different, and we are here to see what works best for you! Below, you will find specific tips for different types of disabilities that can be helpful for studying. If you have good tips that can be added, please let us know (email smf@eur.nl)!
- For group assignments: At the beginning of a group assignment, clearly communicate what you can and cannot do. Make a clear division of tasks so that everyone does what they are good at, and you can complement each other.
- Exploring the campus: It can often be helpful to explore the campus with a fellow student before the start of a study block. Find out which routes are best to take from one building to another. Combine the useful with the enjoyable and finish with a lunch or a drink.
Sharing notes: Ask your fellow students if you can exchange notes. This way, you can check if you’ve covered the most important topics from the lecture. (They can also check their own notes, as even without a disability, you sometimes miss something during lectures).
- Extra study time: Allocate some extra study time when preparing for lectures and reading your literature. Break the material into smaller sections so you have time to process the new information, rest, or deal with unforeseen circumstances.
- • Create a plan: A plan can be very useful when studying and juggling other responsibilities. Be sure to schedule breaks and time for fun activities too! A plan shouldn’t be crammed with study sessions.
Functional impairments
See below for different types of disabilities, what they involve, and tips that are specifically applicable to them.
Workshops and Study Skills Training
During and after studying, you’ll need various skills. Some people find these skills more natural than others. The Student Support Team organizes various workshops. Think of workshops like "Master Study Obstacles with Effective Study Strategies" and "Managing Your Inner Dialogue." There are also sessions on Planning, Time Management, Procrastination, Coping with Stress, Networking, and Job Applications. Check out the schedule for all possibilities.
Student Support and Advice
At EUR, a diverse and knowledgeable team is available to help you with various questions. For matters related to your disability and your studies, it’s important to contact your study advisor as soon as possible. If you have other questions about your studies or career, finances, or if you want to develop certain skills, check out the website of our student support team.
Peer Coaching
A peer coach is a student with a disability who understands the challenges you face. This peer coach can help with procrastination, planning, taking on activities, or you can ask for concrete help.
International Office
Do you want to go abroad for an internship or study and have higher costs due to your disability? The EU may cover part of these costs through the Erasmus+ grant.