Information sheet
Legal foundations for disabled students
We see equal opportunities for people with disabilities in terms of equal opportunities to study and barrier-free access to the university as a core objective of our work.
Sources of law
- Das Universitätsgesetz (UG02)
- Das Bundesbehindertengleichstellungsgesetz (BGStG)
University Act
You can find the University Act in the legal information system of the Federal Chancellery:
http://ris.bka.gv.at/bundesrecht/
The special consideration of the needs of students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses is an important part of the guiding principles of universities according to § 2 para. 11 UG. The guiding principles are those guidelines that are decisive for the way in which the tasks that the universities have to fulfill are implemented.
Section 59 (1) no. 12 UG regulates the examination modalities for disabled and/or chronically ill students:
„Den Studierenden steht nach Maßgabe der gesetzlichen Bestimmungen Lernfreiheit zu. Sie umfasst insbesondere das Recht auf eine abweichende Prüfungsmethode, wenn die oder der Studierende eine länger andauernde Behinderung u. / o. chronische Erkrankung nachweist, die ihr oder ihm die Ablegung der Prüfung in der vorgeschriebenen Methode unmöglich macht, und der Inhalt und die Anforderungen der Prüfung durch eine abweichende Methode nicht beeinträchtigt werden.“[1]
According to UG02, disabled and/or chronically ill students can take examinations in a modified examination mode that meets their needs in consultation with the lecturers. Uniability, the working group of disability representatives at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences, cites the following example:
A blind mathematics student receives the exam details for each written exam on a USB stick and solves the examples on her portable Braille computer. She is also allowed double the examination time.
Federal Disability Equality Act
This law has been in force since January 1, 2006. It regulates the equality of people with disabilities in Austria and aims to eliminate or prevent discrimination against people with disabilities and thus ensure the equal participation of people with disabilities in life and society and enable them to lead a self-determined life.
The text of the law as well as amendments and explanations can be found at:
http://www.bizeps.or.at/gleichstellung/rechte/
If you have any legal questions regarding the Federal Disability Equality Act, please contact the Federal Social Welfare Office:http://www.bundessozialamt.gv.at
Contact via email: Reinhold.Beer@basb.gv.at
If you have any questions regarding the legal basis and services for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, or if you experience a discriminatory barrier or discriminatory behavior during your studies, please contact us. We will be happy to support you.