Impairment
Digital Diversity Guide
Good to know
The University of Siegen defines inclusion, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), as the equal participation of people with long-term health impairments. Accordingly, the focus is not on individual deficits, but on the social model of disability: Disability arises primarily from the interaction between health impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers in everyday university life. The University of Siegen views the recognition and consideration of these diverse life realities as a fundamental prerequisite for excellent research, teaching, and a spirit of solidarity.
- Disability & Severe Disability: Refers to physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that are highly likely to prevent people from participating equally in social life for more than six months. A severe disability is defined as a confirmed degree of disability (GdB) of at least 50.
- Chronic Illnesses: Long-term physical (e.g., diabetes, rheumatism, multiple sclerosis) and mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders) that can significantly limit participation, even if they do not necessarily meet the legal criteria for a disability.
- Neurodiversity: Refers to information processing that differs from that of the neurotypical majority (e.g., in autism, ADHD, dyslexia). In the spirit of neurodiversity, these characteristics are recognized as natural variations of human diversity and are taken into account in the design of research, teaching, and working conditions.
- Invisible disabilities: The vast majority of disabilities are not immediately apparent to others. Counseling sessions at the University of Siegen revealed that just under 59% of affected students have a mental health condition or neurodiversity, approximately 27% have another chronic physical condition, while fewer than 10% have a visible mobility, visual, or hearing impairment.
The University of Siegen considers it its mission to eliminate disadvantages faced by members of the university community with disabilities or chronic illnesses and to create a barrier-free and discrimination-free environment for research, teaching, learning, and work.
Best Practices & Support
At the University of Siegen, a variety of support services are available to students, faculty, and staff. These services are designed to break down barriers in everyday academic and professional life and to provide support tailored to individual needs.
The central point of contact for students and faculty for all questions related to disabilities.
Represents the interests of employees with severe disabilities, provides advice on personnel matters, and assists in equipping workplaces to meet specific needs.
You can find contact persons and additional information on the SBV website.
Email: sbv@uni-siegen.de
The Digital Teaching Team (TDL) provides methods and tools for accessible teaching design on the Digital Teaching portal.
The university is one of four partner institutions participating in the “Accessible Teaching” Knowledge Badge program, which includes a final exam and certification.
The Service Office provides FM receivers and portable induction loops for students with hearing impairments; the University Library offers computer workstations for blind and visually impaired students, as well as height-adjustable scanners. Exams and e-assessments can incorporate accommodations as needed, such as additional time or adapted hardware and software solutions. In addition, quiet rooms are available on campus, as well as accessible or low-barrier learning spaces (LEOs). More detailed information about the facilities and accessibility of the learning spaces can be found in the LEO Guide; quiet rooms are located in AR-HB 024, AR-K 220, ENC-B 017, PB-A 005, US-B 080, and US-C 108. See also the latest information in the University of Siegen’s guide.
Walter Krämer AStA
AStA Department for Social and International Affairs (SOZI) (Link to website)
Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 3, Room AR-H 105
Email: sozref@asta.uni-siegen.de
Phone: +49 271 740 4601
Psychological Counseling for Students (Link to website)
Emails:
emine.selvi@zv.uni-siegen.de
sophie.seeger@zv.uni-siegen.de
christina.eisenbach@zv.uni-siegen.de
Phone: +49 271 740 4300
University of Siegen Psychotherapy Outpatient Clinic (Link to website)
Email: pha@uni-siegen.de
Phone: +49 271 740 5550
Ombudsman for People with Disabilities for the City of Siegen
Mr. Carsten Hermann (Link to website)
Email: c.hermann@siegen.de
Phone: +49 271 404 2247
Ombudsman for the Interests of People with Disabilities (Disability and Inclusion Ombudsman) for the Siegen-Wittgenstein District
Mr. Rainer Groos (Link to website)
Emails:
gross@siegen-wittgenstein.de
sozialplanung@siegen-wittgenstein.de
Phone: +49 (0271) 333-1753
Invema e.V. (Link to website)
“Since 1993, we have been advocating forthe inclusion and equal participation of people with disabilities in all areas of life, as well as for theimprovement of living conditions forpeople with disabilities and theirfamilies.”
Information and Counseling Center for Students with Disabilities (IBS) (Link to website)
Email: studium-behinderung@studierendenwerke.de
Phone: +49 30 297 727 64
Practical Tips
For Students
- Getting in touch with the Inclusive University of Siegen Service Office early on helps clarify individual needs in a timely manner—especially when it comes to applying for accommodations for exams or coursework.
- It’s worth taking a look at the Service Office’s website: There you’ll find a collection of information, forms, and current contact persons for a wide variety of issues related to studying with a disability.
For Faculty & Researchers
- Making teaching materials accessible facilitates access to content for all students. You can find information, tips, and further guidance in the relevant section of our website, among other places, or feel free to contact us. For practical implementation in everyday university life, we also refer you to the comprehensive and practical materials from the Kompetenzzentrum digitale Barrierefreiheit.nrw, particularly the checklist on accessibility in digital teaching. Specific information on designing accessible websites using the University of Siegen’s content management system (CMS) can be found on the dedicated webpage. If you have questions or need individual guidance, please feel free to contact the Inclusive University of Siegen Service Office. We’ll be happy to advise you or refer you to the appropriate resource.
- Since most health-related limitations are invisible, an open culture of communication is helpful. When students bring up their own disabilities, quick and pragmatic solutions for everyday teaching can usually be found through a collaborative dialogue.
- Digital and hybrid teaching formats are a valuable and goal-oriented supplement to ensure that students who, for health reasons, are temporarily unable to attend in person can keep up with their studies.
- The Center for Academic Teaching (ZFH) and the Digital Teaching Team (TDL) offer helpful professional development opportunities and insights into inclusive and accessible university teaching methods.
For Administration & Staff
- Digital accessibility in everyday work means designing forms and administrative workflows so that they are accessible to everyone (for example, through screen reader-compatible PDFs). For practical implementation in everyday university life, we refer—just as we do for teaching—to the comprehensive and practical materials from the Competence Center for Digital Accessibility.nrw, particularly the “Accessible Documents” checklist. Specific information on designing accessible websites in the University of Siegen’s content management system (CMS) can be found on the dedicated webpage. If you have questions or need individual advice, please feel free to contact the Inclusive University of Siegen Service Office. We’ll be happy to advise you or refer you to the appropriate resource.
- In the event of health-related limitations or extended absences, the Framework Agreement on Working from Home and the Workplace Integration Management (BEM) program offer structural support.
- The Disabled Persons Representative (SBV) is available to provide advice on designing your own workspace to be accessible and health-conscious (e.g., through height-adjustable desks or adapted IT hardware).
- Internal training programs, such as the certificate program “Organizing Gender & Diversity in Research, Teaching, and Administration, ” offer a great opportunity to raise awareness among colleagues about the needs of employees with chronic illnesses or disabilities.