Studying with Disability

From physical and psychological to chronic impairments

Disabilities and/or chronic diseases can lead to difficulties in studying. Affected students face the challenge of addressing key questions about how to manage and balance their individual situations. The support options available at h_da are outlined here:

Counseling and Support

The first step to successfully managing your studies is to familiarize yourself with the various support options available, as this will also help you understand your rights. We recommend seeking advice as early as possible – ideally before beginning your studies. At the University of Darmstadt, you will find a range of counseling and support services. Additionally, numerous organizations outside the university offer valuable assistance

Central Student Counseling

The Central Student Counseling Service at h_da offers personalized advice and support on decision-making processes as well as on the planning and implementation of your studies. The service is provided in a confidential, neutral environment, and is anonymous and, of course, free of charge.

Counseling appointments can be hold in person, by phone or via video call. You can book an consultation appointment online below.
For more detailed information about the services and work, please visit the website of the Central Student Counseling Service.

h_da support for prospective Students and Students with disability

Isabell Schader is the advisor for students with disabilities and/or chronic diseases, offering guidance on study-related matters.

During counseling, topics such as balancing studies with personal life circumstances, support in preparing applications for academic adjustments, and assistance with organizing your studies can be discussed.

Appointments can be scheduled online below.

Short consultation appointment

Your questions, quickly answered!

Do you have a specific question about your studies and are looking for a quick answer? Then simply book a short consultation with us. In a 15-minute personal consultation, we will help you find quick and specific answers.

Arrange an individual consultation appointment directly:

Long consultation appointment

Focus on your situation!

Sometimes questions are more complicated and clarification takes more time. In a 50-minute consultation, we take the time to sort things out with you, reflect and support you in finding a solution.

Arrange an individual consultation appointment directly:

Contact of the departments: chairpersons of the examination boards

Architecure, media und design

degree programme	name	e-mail
Animation and Game (Bachelor), Animation and Game Direction (Master)	Prof. Noa Kafka	noa.kafka@h-da.de
Architecture und Interior Architecture (Bachelor and Master)	Prof. Jan Kliebe	jan.kliebe@h-da.de
Expanded Media (Master)	Prof. Sven Poguntke	sven.poguntke@h-da.de
Expanded Realities (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Frank Gabler	frank.gabler@h-da.de
Interactive Media Design (Bachelor)	Prof. Andrea Krajewski	andrea.krajewski@h-da.de
Intern. Media Cultural Work (Master), Media Direction (Master)	Prof. Sabine Breitsameter	sabine.breitsameter@h-da.de
Industrial Design (Diplom), Communication (Diplom)	Prof. Ulla Marquardt	ulla.marquardt@h-da.de
Motion Pictures (Bachelor)	Prof. Alexander Herzog	alexander.herzog@h-da.de
Online Journalism (Bachelor) / Media, Technology and Society (Master)	Prof. Dr. Peter Schumacher	peter.schumacher@h-da.de
Online Communcation (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Andreas Vlasic	pav-ok.fbmd@h-da.de
Sound and Music Production (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Kyrill Fischer	kyrill.fischer@h-da.de

Information science and computer science

degree programme

name

e-mail

Computer Science (Bachelor, Master, Dual)

Prof. Dr. Stefan Valentin

stefan.valentin@h-da.de

Information Science (Bachelor/Master)

Prof. Dr. Margot Mieskes

margot.mieskes@h-da.de

Engineering sciences

degree programme	name	e-mail
Civil Engineering (Bachelor, Master), Environmental Engineering (Bachelor, Master)	Dr. Tobias Drieseberg	tobias.drieseberg@h-da.de
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Christian Jakob	christian.jakob@h-da.de
Electrical Engineering (Master), Intern. Electr. Engineering (Master)	Prof. Dr. Michael Kuhn	michael.kuhn@h-da.de
Electrical engineering distance learning programme (Master), Reliability engineering distance learning programme (Master)	Prof. Dr. Lisa Koch	lisa.koch@h-da.de
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Karl Kleinmann	karl.kleinmann@h-da.de
Industrial Engineering (Master)	Prof. Dr. Jens Hoffmann	jens.hoffmann@h-da.de
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Alexander Schick	alexander.schick@h-da.de
Mechanical Engineering (Master) / Automobilentwicklung (Master)	Prof. Dr. Jens Eufinger	jens.eufinger@h-da.de
Mechatronics (Bachelor/Master)	Prof. Dr. Dietmar Jennewein	dietmar.jennewein@h-da.de
Plastics Engineering (Bachelor/Master)	Prof. Dr. Albrecht Hundhausen	albrecht.hundhausen@h-da.de
Smart Building Infrastructure Systems (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Thomas Kania	thomas.kania@h-da.de

Natural sciences and mathematics

degree programme	name	e-mail
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Christine Bach	christine.bach@h-da.de
Applied Mathematics (Master)	Prof. Dr. Torsten-Karl Strempel	torsten-karl.strempel@h-da.de
Biotechnology (Bachelor), Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (Master), Industrial Chemistry (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Thomas Schäfer	thomas.schaefer@h-da.de
Data Science (Master)	Prof. Dr. Antje Jahn	antje.jahn@h-da.de
Optical Technology and Image Processing (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Ralf Blendowske	ralf.blendowske@h-da.de
Optical Technology and Image Processing (Master)	Prof. Dr. Andreas Weinmann	andreas.weinmann@h-da.de

Economy and society

degree programme	name	e-mail
Applied Social Sciences (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Jutta Träger	jutta.traeger@h-da.de
Business Administration (Bachelor/Master)	Prof. Dr. Christoph Wiese	christoph.wiese@h-da.de
Business Psychology (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Ingo Hamm	ingo.hamm@h-da.de
Business Psychology (Master)	Prof. Dr. Daniela Lohaus	daniela.lohaus@h-da.de
Energy Management (Bachelor/Master) / Public Management (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Anke Kopsch	anke.kopsch@h-da.de
Information Law (Bachelor), International Licensing Law (Master)	Prof. Dr. Diana Chiampi Ohly	diana.chiampiohly@h-da.de
International Business Administration (Bachelor/Master) / Master of Business Administration (MBA)	Prof. Dr. Matthias Knoll	matthias.knoll@h-da.de
Logistics Management (Bachelor)	Prof. Dr. Johanna Bucerius	johanna.bucerius@h-da.de
RASUM (Master)	Prof. Dr. Anja Hentschel	anja.hentschel@h-da.de
Social Work (Bachelor/Master)	Prof. Dr. Angelika Nake	angelika.nake@h-da.de
Social Work Plus - Mig. Glob. / Soziale Arbeit Plus - Psychomotorik	Prof. Dr. Frank Nickel	frank.nickel@h-da.de

Academic Adjustments: Alternative Arrangements

If you experience disadvantages in your studies due to health or disability in the area of studying and examination situations, as a student of the h_da you have the possibility to apply for alternative arrangements at your faculty. Alternative arrangements always related to individual cases. Alternative arrangements intended to enable students with disabilities and/or a chronic disease to access subject content and tasks and to provide evidence of what they have learned, taking into account their individual impairments.The legal basis is §10 (8) of the ABPO of the University of Darmstadt.

Information & how to apply

Data and Facts

16% of all students have a disability that affects their studies and make studying more challenging. It can be reassuring to know that you are not alone in facing questions, concerns, and emotions related to your situation. According to the 2023 best3 student survey conducted by the German Student Services, around 16 percent of students in Germany are affected by one or more disabilities that impact their studies. These disabilities vary widely, including sensory or mobility impairments, psychological or physical conditions, specific learning disabilities, and severe temporary impairments.

Equal Opportunities in Studying
The diversity of disabilities emphasizes the importance of adapting support services to individual needs. Addressing your rights early and seeking assistance can greatly enhance the achievement of equal opportunities in education. Equal opportunities in studying means that all students, regardless of their disabilities, have the same ability to successfully and accessibly complete their studies.

Requirements for Academic Adjustments

A disability and/or chronic condition or health impairment that has lasted for more than 6 months.
The presence of a disadvantage in studying caused by this impairment.
No conflicting examination objectives.

An academic adjustment changes the conditions, not the actual exam or academic performance. The performance requirements remain the same for all students. For this reason, not every impairment qualifies for an academic adjustment.

Application for academic adjustments

To apply for academic adjustments, you must submit a written application along with a medical certificate. It is recommended to inform the department of your need for compensatory measures as early as possible. The application should be addressed to the chairs of the examination board for the respective degree program.
A step-by-step guide for submitting the application, along with sample applications, is available on Moodle for students.

What Medical Certificate is Required?

A specialist medical certificate if a disability is being diagnosed for the first time.
A general practitioner’s certificate describing the overall condition if the patient is receiving long-term care based on a specialist diagnosis.
A therapeutic certificate if the patient is receiving long-term therapeutic treatment based on a specialist diagnosis.

The certificate must include:

A description of the symptoms that is understandable to non-medical professionals.
An explanation of how the impairment affects studying.
Specific recommendations for appropriate compensatory measures.

For follow-up applications or long-term academic adjustments, it may be possible to waive the requirement for a medical certificate each semester in consultation with the department, if the proof has already been provided earlier and the impairment is not temporary. A blanket application for the entire duration of the studies is only advisable in very specific exceptional cases.

Leave of absence

If you need to take a break from your studies for health reasons, you can apply for an indefinite leave of absence by submitting a medical certificate. A leave of absence is also possible during the first semester under these circumstances. The expected duration of the illness must align with the length of the semester. Further information and the application can be found here.

Events and Seminars

Mental Well-being by irrsinnig menschlich
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 | 3:30 – 5:30 p. m.
Online on Zoom | Link

Student Trainer Pool
Train Self-, Social-, and Media Skills

Events by the h_da Career Center
Sofa Meetup – Talk About It Instead of Ignoring It

Contact Points at h_da and in the Darmstadt Region

For support and advice, you can find various contact points both at h_da and in the wider Darmstadt area. These include resources for crisis situations as well as general counseling services.

h_da-Beauftragte

Beauftragte für Studierende und Studieninteressierte mit Behinderung und/oder chronischer Erkrankung
Isabell Schader
disability.support@h-da.de

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