Disability / Dys / Reduced mobility
There are many forms of disability, and not all of them are visible. UNIL takes this issue very seriously and will help you with any accommodation needs you may have during your studies or in your professional life.
What is included in the definition of "being disabled"?
There are many forms of disability, both visible and invisible, and here are a few examples :
- Physical disability : limited mobility, hearing impairment, deafness, visual impairment, blindness, cerebral palsy, etc.
- Chronic invalidating illnesses and pain, narcolepsy, the aftermath of a cerebrovascular accident, etc.
- Psychological illnesses : bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, neuroses, psychoses, phobias, post-traumatic shock, etc.
- Learning disorders : dyslexia, dysorthographia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, etc.
- Speech or communication disorders : stammer, etc.
- Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) with or without hyperactivity, hyperactivity
According to the Law on Equality for the Disabled (LHand), art. 4, para. 1: ‘A disabled person within the meaning of this law is any person whose presumed long-term physical, mental or psychological impairment prevents or hinders him or her from carrying out the activities of daily life, maintaining social contacts, moving about, receiving training or continuing education or carrying out a professional activity’.
How can I benefit from study and exam arrangements?
- The student contacts the disability officer at his/her Faculty. He/she must provide a medical certificate clearly indicating the adjustments required (for example: how much extra time is needed for examinations, in the case of dyslexia). The medical certificate must indicate the period for which the accommodations are requested (examination sessions, semesters, the entire course, etc.).
The medical certificate and the speech therapist's certificate must be valid or confirmed and still up to date for the date of the start of studies/examination session for which the accommodation is requested. - NB : for dyslexics and dysorthographics, a speech therapist's certificate may be accepted in place of the medical certificate.
- The student should contact his or her Faculty's academic advisor (see contacts on the Faculty websites) to find out what requirements need to be met and how to do so in accordance with the study plan and within the statutory duration of the course.
- It is advisable to undertake these steps at the very beginning of the studies. For a complex situation, it is recommended that contact be made in advance during the semester prior to the start of the course.
NB : the Faculties reserve the right not to grant all or part of the requested facilities depending on the resources (human, financial, infrastructure, etc.) available or if the request is disproportionate.
Please refer to the following websites and guidelines for the application process:
How can the study period be adjusted?
Bachelor’s : the usual period of study is 6 semesters, up to a maximum of 10 semesters.
Part-time bachelor’s (50%): Disability confirmed by a medical certificate is a reason for applying to study part time for a Bachelor’s degree. The normal/maximum period of study is:
- for the introductory part (60 ECTS credits): 4 semesters/6 semesters
- for the Bachelor’s (180 ECTS credits): 12 semesters/14 semesters.
For the procedure for applying to study for a Bachelor’s part time, see Rectorate Directive 3.12 Part-time study (50%) for university Bachelor’s courses.
Master’s: the normal/maximum period of study is:
- 3 semesters/5 semesters for a Master’s with 90 ECTS credits
- 4 semesters/6 semesters for a Master’s with 120 ECTS credits
- 6 semesters/10 semesters for a Master’s with 180 ECTS credits
Part-time Master’s (50%): Disability confirmed by a medical certificate is a reason for applying to study part-time for a Master’s degree. The normal/maximum period of study is:
- 6 semesters/8 semesters for a Master’s with 90 ECTS credits
- 8 semesters/10 semesters for a Master’s with 120 ECTS credits
- 12 semesters/14 semesters for a Master’s with 180 ECTS credits
For the procedure for applying to study for a Master’s part time, see Rectorate Directive 3.12 Part-time study (50%) for university Master’s courses.
NB: The Dean of the Faculty can also grant two additional semesters on an exceptional basis in the case of force majeure or on legitimate grounds for Bachelor’s, part-time Bachelor’s, Master’s and part-time Master’s courses. Students must submit a written request setting out their reasons and provide documentary evidence (see Study Regulations).
Reserved places in large auditoriums for students with disabilities:
At the front of the following auditoriums, places are reserved for disabled students who need them:
- Amphipôle, Auditoriums A B C D: 2 tables
- Amphimax 350: 3 tables
- Amphimax 351: 1 table
They bear the following symbol:
Testimonials
Hearing impaired
Services for students with disabilities
For general questions on disability and studies.
Direction, Education Department
Ms Nathalie Janz
Assistant to the Director of Education
Unicentre
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 20 42
nathalie.janz@unil.ch
Contacts by faculty
For more specific information on study and examination arrangements, please contact the following people at your faculty:
Ms Sophie Nedjar
Academic advisor
Anthropole
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 44 25
Sophie.Nedjar@unil.ch
Administration of the Faculty of Law, Criminal Sciences and Public Administration
Internef
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 27 61 or +41 21 692 27 68
administration.droit@unil.ch
Mr Romain Voisard
Batochime
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 46 00
info.esc@unil.ch
Mrs Elodie Glaus
Décanat Lettres
Anthropole
+41 21 692 29 98
Elodie.Glaus@unil.ch
Mr Flavio Palmerini
HEC Bachelor
HEC Central Administration
Internef
+41 21 692 33 31
Flavio.Palmerini@unil.ch
Ms Marie-Paule Charnay
Teaching Assistant
Direction of the School of Biology
Amphipôle
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 40 11
Marie-Paule.Charnay@unil.ch
Ms Sara Vadot
Educational advisor
Medical Pedagogy Unit
UNIL-CHUV district
Rue du Bugnon 21
CH-1011 Lausanne
+41 21 692 50 38
Sara.Vadot@unil.ch
Mr Gaëtan Moerman
Educational advisor
IUFRS
Route de la Corniche 10
Building Proline
1010 Lausanne
Gaetan.Moerman@chuv.ch
Madam Magali Pétermann-Glaus
Deputy for Academic Affairs
Ms.
Géopolis
CH-1015 Lausanne
+41 21 692 35 03
Magali.Petermann-Glaus@unil.ch
Practical information
- Advice for prospective blind or visually impaired students (PDF) (500 Kb)
- Swiss Federation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Swiss Central Union for the Blind (UCBA)
- Information on barrier-free studies in Swiss higher education institutions
- Swiss Federation of the Deaf - French-speaking region
- How to communicate well with deaf or hard of hearing individuals
- FoRom Ecoute (funding options for hearing-impaired students)
- Federal Office for the Equality of Persons with Disabilities
- Procap
- AGILE: Studying despite a disability
- Inclusion Handicap
- Cap-contact
- Pro Infirmis
- Swiss-European Mobility Programme: Students with special needs (special allowance for additional expenses during mobility abroad) (PDF) (200 Kb)
- FRAGILE - Swiss association for individuals with brain injuries and their relatives
- Info-handicap
- EnableMe Switzerland
- La Chaise Rouge: Voluntary support service for leisure activities for people with disabilities
All the information you need about reduced mobility access is available on Reduced mobility access
In order to plan the organisation of exams as effectively as possible, members of the student body with a disability are encouraged to approach the Disability Insurance to obtain assistance (support during exams, interpretation, special arrangements, etc.).
Two wheelchairs are available for sporting activities (tennis or indoor sports) at the Sports Centre.
To use them, please contact the concierges at: 021 692 26 40
For questions relating to UNIL's buildings
Mr José Hernandez
jose.hernandez@unil.ch
021 692 24 24
For questions relating to car parks
parking@unil.ch