During your studies, as a student with a disability, you may encounter various obstacles when preparing for classes, taking notes, attending a lecture, or in other parts of taking classes. Whatever your support needs, make an appointment with your student advisor.
With the study advisor of your program(Study Advisor - Free University Amsterdam) you will discuss what you need and what is possible. This may differ per faculty or program. Sometimes after this conversation you may also need to contact your professor yourself to discuss your support needs.
Examples of options include the use of special software to monitor classes, teachers providing a clear and predictable structure, and making educational materials accessible in advance.
What are we striving for?
Accessible education should become the norm, that is the goal. It provides benefits for students and faculty. Fortunately, the awareness of the need for this at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has increased tremendously in recent years.
A lot of work is being done to implement the UN Convention on Disability(wetten.nl - Regeling - Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - BWBV0004045). This includes listening to the input given by students of Disability RendezVU. Disability RendezVU is a sounding board group made up of students with support issues. Would you also like to contribute to the effort to make accessible education the norm? Contact us at InfopuntSMF.soz@vu.nl and join Disability RendezVU.
