Studying with a disability

More information about studying with a disability

• Facilities during an exam

  Because of your disability, you may be entitled to extra facilities during exams. You can discuss this with your academic advisor.

  The organization of the exams will see on the attendance list which facilities you may use, so that a place in the (possibly separate) room is arranged and the invigilators are informed.

  Facilities and corona

  Because of the corona measures, a large part of the education and exams takes place at home and online. This may affect some of your assigned facilities. Please contact your academic advisor about this.

  Extra time during the exam

  If you are entitled to extra time, your exams will be extended by half an hour.

  You take the exam in the regular room. Take a seat in the back of the hall, room or block, so students who finish their exams early will not disturb you. Does your exam take place in multiple blocks and / or rooms (for example, blocks 02, 04, 05)? Then you take a seat at the back of the block or the room with the highest number (in this case at the back of block 05).

  Extra toilet visit during the exam

  If you have permission to "use the toilet during an exam", you may also go to the toilet during the first 90 minutes of the exam. Choose a place close to the toilet. This will make things easier for yourself and you avoid disturbing your fellow students unnecessarily.

  Eating, walking or administering medication during exam

  You can get permission to eat, walk or administer medication during exams. The condition is that you disturb other students as little as possible. For example, food that crumbles, cracks or smells strongly is not allowed. If you have permission to walk or to administer medication, leave the room briefly.

  Take an exam digitally

  Do you have permission to take your written exams digitally? Then you use a "facilities room". Fixed computers are set up in two rooms, on which your exam is prepared.

  Taking an exam in a separate room ("facilities room")

  If taking exams in the regular hall leads to serious impediments in your home, which has a negative effect on taking your exam, you may take your exam in a separate room (the "facilities room"). This provision is granted in exceptional situations and only if it is really necessary.

  During VU-wide exam weeks the facilities rooms are located on the first floor in the Filosofenhof in the Main building of VU Amsterdam (1G wing). A facilities room consists of a number of small, low-stimulus rooms in which both written and digital exams can be taken by small groups of students.

  Laptop

  In exceptional cases it is possible to use a laptop for written exams.

  Dictionary for an exam

  • VASVU students
    If you have completed VASVU and want to use a dictionary during an exam in your bachelor's program, you must request permission for this. Ask the academic advisor about the conditions and procedure for your faculty.
  • Business Administration students
    Do you study Business Administration and do you have dyslexia? Then you can use an EN-NL dictionary for first and second-year exams that are taken in English. For more information, please contact your academic advisor in time.

  Other provisions

  Do you need a facility in connection with your disability that is not listed on this page? Then contact your academic advisor to discuss the options.

  Please note: you can request facilities at least 14 days in advance. After that it is no longer possible.

• Facilities on campus

  Because of your disability, you may need certain facilities on campus. Here you will find an overview of the facilities that are offered at the VU. If you want to make use of this, or need something else, please discuss this with your academic advisor.

  Adapted toilets

  This is the list of adapted toilets (in Dutch).

  Lockers

  You can store small aids and textbooks in a personal locker. Contact your academic advisor if you wish to be assigned a locker.

  Parking

  Parking passes are supplied through Parkeerbedrijf VU/VUmc. There are a few parking spaces on campus available for students. You can only get a parking pass if you already have a nationally valid parking pass.

  You can apply for a parking card using the Request for a parking pass for VU Amsterdam students with a disability (in Dutch).

  Don't you have a national or european disability card? Please make an appointment with Mariëlle Rozemond at 020-5989010 or m.h.rozemond@vu.nl from the ARBO service to have your eligibility for the pass determined.

  Facilities in lecture hall

  Do you need adapted furniture in an education room, for example because you use a wheelchair or special chair or because of another limitation? Contact your academic advisor to discuss the necessary adjustments in lecture halls.

  Quiet rooms

  If you are in need of a break during the day due to your disability you can use a rest room. You can reserve the space for a maximum of one hour at a time. 

  Pay attention. You can only reserve the rest room once you have received an access pass. You do this via Outlook or Outlook web: short guide (in Dutch).

   You can find the quiet rooms at the following locations:

  • In the Main Building on the first floor (1A-68)
  • In the W&N building on the fifth floor (WN-M514)
  • In the MF building (MF A-028)
  • In the New University Building on the sixth floor (NU 6C-35)

  Storage

  Due to your disability, you can use a storage space for larger aids. Please contact your academic advisor.

  Access lifts and buildings

  You can apply for an access pass for disabled entrances and elevators. Please contact your academic advisor.

  Is your VU card unusable or have you lost it? Arrange the replacement directly yourself via the Security Desk in HG-KC04. Within fifteen minutes you will have a replacement card with the same rights as you had. Your old pass will no longer work from that moment on.

  Other provisions

  Do you need a facility in connection with your disability that is not listed on this page? Then contact your academic advisor to discuss the options.

• Financial arrangements

  Profile Fund

  If you experience a delay in your studies, you can receive a financial contribution for your studies from the Profile Fund scheme. Contact your academic advisor to arrange the documentation for your application.

  Arrangements through DUO

  Sometimes it is not possible to graduate on time due to special circumstances, or you even have to stop studying completely. In some situations you can make a financial arrangement through DUO. More information can be found on the DUO website. The student counsellor and DUO will assess whether you meet the conditions. Therefore, please contact the student counsellor.

  Also view the flyer of the Expertise Center for Disability + Study for information about finances and studying with a disability: informatie over financiën en studeren met een beperking (in Dutch).