Studying with a speech disability
Having a speech disability is a health condition that can impact your learning at Leiden University.
Speech disability can co-exist with or be an effect of other disability types such as a hearing disability or mental health issues. No matter the type, speech disability mainly affects communication. This means that studying with a speech disability may require additional effort to, for example, engage in discussions and communicate with teachers, peers and university staff. Still, many students study successfully and accomplish many things despite their diagnosis. Leiden University has a range of study adjustments available to support you throughout your studies.
Adaptations can be made to the ways in which you follow classes and take exams. Special arrangements and facilities offered by Leiden University for students with a speech disability are for example:
- If it is difficult for you to e.g. give presentations or take oral examinations, Fenestra can help you to look for suitable solutions.
- Text-to-speech software, that reads your study materials aloud whilst highlighting the text.
The adaptations available to you depend on your specific situation.
Requesting adaptations
- Log into uSis
- Click on Studying with a disability
- Follow the instructions
- When requesting additional faculties, you must upload a document confirming that you have a disability. This document can only be viewed by student counsellors at Fenestra.
- The student counsellors will send their decision or advice to the study adviser and Board of examiners of your (main) study programme. This decision or advice will state the type of disability you have and if necessary, the symptoms that necessitate the additional facility.
- Decisions can also be viewed by study advisers and Boards of Examiners of other study programmes. However, they will only view them if this is relevant for you as a student, for example if you are following courses from another study programme. This means you will not have to request the facilities again if you follow courses from a different study programme or faculty.
- Staff who are responsible for organising additional facilities can only view information on the facilities granted to you. They cannot see information on the nature of your disability.
Studying at more than one faculty or study programme?
Discuss it with your study adviser!
Are you following more than one study programme, doing a course or minor at another faculty, or changing study programmes after being granted additional facilities? It can occur that due to practical or educational reasons, you may not be able to make use of the additional facility or it may be organised in a different way. It is therefore important to discuss any facilities you have already been granted with the study adviser of the relevant study programme(s) as soon as possible.
Guidance & advisors
Fenestra Disability Centre provides advice on all disability-related matters. If you need support in other areas, there are other advisers available.
See all advisers and guidance services
Financial support
Students with a disability can incur additional expenses both during their studies and in daily life. There are a number of regulations, funds and special allowances in place that can help to ease the financial burden.
Read more about financial support
Workshops & courses
Leiden University organises workshops and courses that can help you to improve your study skills.
Take a look at the workshops and courses
Study tips
Leiden University offers study tips that can help you to study more efficiently despite any obstacles brought about by your disability.
Take a look at the study tips
Healthcare and home care
In some circumstances you might need additional healthcare or home care facilities or support.
Read more about healthcare and home care
Housing
Additional facilities in the home might be both needed and welcome if you have a disability.
Read more about housing
Legal protection
According to the Act on the Equal Treatment of the Disabled and Chronically Ill, it is strictly forbidden to discriminate on the grounds of disability and chronic illness when providing employment, accommodation, goods and services.
Read more about legal protection
Social support
Staying in contact with other students might not always be easy but it is very important. Find out about the different ways in which you can meet other students.