Visual disabilities

Visually impaired students can encounter problems with:

  • written activities (such as examinations) during the course of the study programme
  • the use of computers
  • following lectures (taking in information, taking notes and attendance)
  • participating in laboratory courses or tutorials (for example, due to the lack of non-verbal communication, reduced energy and/or safety)
  • studying the material
  • individual assignments

What can you do yourself?

Studying

  • Use a voice recorder to take notes.
  • Switch on extra lights while studying.
  • Adjust the contrast on your computer.
  • Check whether the lecturer has made transparencies/notes available prior to the lecture. If so, review them beforehand and bring them to the lecture.
  • Use a digital calendar, such as Google Calendar.
  • Request facilities such as a refreshable Braille display or a video magnifier (in consultation with the student counsellor if necessary)
  • Follow lectures (again) through Collegerama
  • Use BrowseAloud to have Blackboard and/or websites read aloud
  • Make sure the people concerned know that you are visually impaired by telling them yourself or by using the services of the student supervisors.
  • Make sure lecturers are informed in advance on how they can take your disability into account.
  • Ask if you can copy your fellow students' (enlarged) notes.
  • For lectures involving the use of video material, ask for a summary or an explanation.
  • Find out to what extent your disability may affect you in carrying out possible professions.
  • Find out about the accessibility of the building.
  • Is it possible to do an internship on a part-time or dual basis?

Possible facilities

Studying

  • Extra support. Ask your academic counsellor or student counsellor for information.
  • Supporting software: TextAid, which enables you to listen to your study material. For more information, click on the flyer.
  • A regular contact for schedule changes, for example through a study buddy.
  • A regular partner for laboratory courses.

Examinations

  • Extra time to complete an examination.
  • The possibility of handing in an assignment at a different time.
  • The possibility of taking examinations on a computer.
  • The possibility of examinations/assignments in an enlarged font, in A3 format and/or with extra line spacing.
  • The possibility of an alternative form of assessment, such as taking a written test orally.
  • Spreading out modules/examinations.

Whether these facilities are available to you within your faculty will be determined in a consultation with your academic counsellor.

Financial assistance

If you have experienced a delay in the progress of your studies due to your disability, you could be eligible for financial assistance under the Profiling Fund (RPF) or a provision of DUO. You can find more information here.