Inclusivity at TU Dortmund University
For TU Dortmund University, improving accessibility means not only structural accessibility – for example ramps or guidance systems for people with visual impairments – but also accessibility for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses in the organization of their studies, in university teaching, in digitization and in administrative processes.
Supporting (prospective) students with disabilities or chronic illnesses has a long tradition at TU Dortmund University: An advisory service for students with disabilities was already set up at the end of the 1970s. Today, this is part of the Division of Disability and Studies (DoBuS) at the Center for Higher Education of TU Dortmund University.
The Division of Disability and Studies offers advice and services specifically for students and teaching staff with the aim of creating non-discriminatory study conditions for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. In the framework of projects, conceptual building blocks for a “University For All” are developed and evaluated on a continuous basis.
Conversion services in the division and at the University Library convert learning materials, exams and textbooks into media formats accessible for visually impaired students; teaching videos can be subtitled for students with hearing difficulties. Specially equipped workrooms in the division, the Central Library and the EF50 Video Library provide several computer workstations and assistive technology for students with disabilities.
At TU Dortmund University, creating inclusive structures is understood as a cross-cutting task: The Division of Disability and Studies (DoBuS), the Staff Unit Equal Opportunities, Family and Diversity, and the Office of the Vice President Diversity Management work together to improve accessibility and enable non-discriminatory conditions.