The impact of the Bologna Process on students with

disabilities

by Sven Drebes and Andrea Hellbusch (DP „Tandem in

Science“, Germany)

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Bologna-Process

Introduction of consecutive study system:

deep change in German higher education system

less opportunities of flexible study arrangements

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Aims of Bologna-Process

• increase students’ mobility

• higher comparability of European degrees

• reduce average period of study

• raise graduations

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Consequences on disabled students

• stricter regulation of new study courses leads to less individual flexibility

• exam modifications are not assured in the new regulations yet

• missing of compensations in admission leads to discrimination of disabled applicants

• meeting the costs for special needs in master courses is not assured yet

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German DP “Tandem in Science”

Coordination of the developmentpartnership by Paul-Ehrlich-Institute

Main objective:• to improve the conditions for vocational

training, (further) scientific qualification and employment opportunities of disabled employees in the field of science and research

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Bologna-Workshop

September 2006:

• DP hosted an expert workshop dealing with the consequences of the Bologna-Process for disabled students

Result: recommendation for adjustments to prevent disadvantages in university admission, workload, course and examination regulation

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Recommendations

1. Admission to university

Preferred admission for disabled students in case that:

• waiting time cannot be bridged in a suitable and reasonable manner

• a disability or severe illness would make a later beginning impossible, or

• there is a link between disability and a limited professional choice

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1. Admission

• admission procedures at universities have to be created barrier-free

• involvement of Disabled Students’ Officers or other experts upon request of the applicant with the disability/ chronic illness

5% of the study places should be reserved for disabled students

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2. Workload

• possibility of adapting the workload to disability must be provided

• no penalties if workload can not be met because of disability

• opportunities for learning by oneself have to be maintained

• substitution of practical modules

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3. Examinations

• compensations and modifications have to be possible in all types of exams

• these have to be reached in a simple, transparent and unboureaucratic way

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Mainstreaming

• worked-out recommendation is supported by different organizations

• recommendation was presented at several official occasions

• hosting of public panel discussion in Berlin in July 2007

• appointment with the “Council of accreditation of study courses”

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Contact

Sven Drebes

drebes@behinderung-und-studium.de

Andrea Hellbusch

andrea.hellbusch@uni-dortmund.de

Thank you for your attention!