Long-term disability
If you have a long-term disability that affects your studies, you can apply for targeted study support during your time at Uppsala University. The type of support available in Swedish universities is directly related to your studies. Please note that the support available in Swedish universities may differ from the support available in your home university. To find out what support is available, please contact a coordinator.
What is a long-term disability?
A long-term disability might be reading and writing difficulties/dyslexia, mental disorders, neuropsychiatric disabilities, hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical disabilities, or chronic illnesses.
A disability is, according to the Discrimination Act (SFS 2008: 567), a:
permanent physical, mental, or intellectual limitation of a person’s functional capacity that as a consequence of injury or illness existed at birth, has arisen since then, or can be expected to arise.
If you have a temporary injury or illness, you are not covered by this support. If you need support during the period that you are injured or ill, you should turn to your department's study counsellor.
Targeted study support
If your application is approved, the following support services may be available.
Note-taking support
If you are unable to take notes during lectures or other university lessons due to a disability, you can receive note-taking support. This is when one of your classmates takes and shares notes with you. Note-taking support does not replace attendance. You can only receive notes from lectures that you participate in.
Adjusted examinations
There are different types of adjustments for examinations, such as extended time, taking the exam in a smaller hall, or writing on a computer instead of writing by hand.
Please note that coordinators write a recommendation for examination adjustments. The decision for possible adjustments is taken by the responsible department.
At Klostergatan 3 and Råbyvägen 95 in Uppsala, there are examination halls for students with special needs.
Sign language interpreter and interpreter
The university is responsible for deaf, deaf blind and hearing-impaired students receiving sign language (please note that the sign language is Swedish sign language) or writing interpreters (spoken Swedish-Swedish text, spoken English-English text) in all types of teaching.
You can receive an interpreter for everything that is related to your studies; lectures, lessons, study visits, group work, seminars and more. Note that you should contact a coordinator well in advance in order for this support to be in place at the beginning of the semester.
Mentor
If you have a disability, you can get a mentor to help you with your studies. A mentor can assist you in planning and organising your studies, as well as provide tips for study strategies.
You can have the mentor support for one or more semesters.
Support from a fellow student
A fellow student can act as a guide for those with visual impairments who initially need help finding their way around the campus area, such as in lecture halls and libraries.
Other support in your studies
There is also other support, in addition to the targeted study support, that you can take advantage of, for example, Language and reading resources. You can download spelling programs, get language guidance at the Language Workshop, and if you have a reading disability there is the possibility to borrow audiobooks, e-textbooks or braille books.
If you need to study at a lower rate, due to your disability, please contact your study counsellor. Together, you can discuss your options and if possible, make an individual study plan suited to your needs and capabilities.