Information for people with disabilities
Studies available to everyone.
We strive to make studying at Collegium Da Vinci accessible to everyone, therefore we eliminate all barriers that could prevent people with disabilities from using our university. We are a university without architectural barriers, open to individual needs of students regardless of the type of their disabilities. Classes are held in a building adapted to the needs and limitations arising from individual needs (ramps, wide lifts, adapted toilets, sound systems in the halls, wide corridors, halls described in Braille).
The Rector’s Representative for People with Disabilities is the ombudsman for the rights of students with disabilities. Her primary task is to represent the interests of disabled students before university bodies, academics and externally.
Ombudsman for students with disabilities:
Beata Zamorska Ph.D.
Rector’s Representative for People with Disabilities
Pedagogue, involved in projects related to change in education. She conducts intervention research inspired by historical-cultural theory of activity and philosophy of dialogue.
She completed 5-year pedagogical studies in re-socialisation and postgraduate studies in special pedagogy at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.
From 2000 to 2014, she was an assistant professor at the University of Lower Silesia, Wrocław. Since 2008, she has been working with the International Society of Cultural-Historical Activity Research (ISCAR), where she holds the position of national coordinator. She initiated the establishment of one of the first inclusive classes in Poznań (in Primary School No. 6), where she worked for four years as a teacher. Since 2016, she has been working in the Department of Creative Media at CDV.
Tasks of the Rector’s Representative for People with Disabilities:
- Representing the interests of students with disabilities before university bodies, academics and externally.
- Recognising the problems, needs, expectations of students with disabilities and helping to solve them effectively.
- Helping to adapt the studying process to individual needs resulting from a disability.
- Informing candidates for studies about the possibility of education of people with disabilities at the University.
Forms of support at CDV
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Support from:
- a didactic assistant in organising the learning process and support in communication with university staff. It can be applied for by students who struggle with specific cognitive-emotional-social difficulties (e.g. ASD, ADHD).
- a personal assistant who helps with self-service activities, taking notes, moving around the university.
- a sign language interpreter
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Adaptation of the education process:
on the basis of equal access to studying. Students may request:
- adaptation of classes (in terms of the form of attendance, adaptation of teaching materials, use of additional software and equipment, use of additional breaks and help from assistants)
- adaptation of tests and examinations (extended time for tests/examinations, split into parts, adaptation of the forms of the tests/examinations).
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Psychological support
for people in crisis. Collegium Da Vinci cooperates with the SWPS Clinic and reimburses therapy sessions, whose number is determined on an individual basis.
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Individual Course of Studies (ICS)
The ICS allows for the establishment of an individual schedule for taking examinations and final tests provided for in the study plan for a given major. Consent, based on an application, is given by the Dean. The ICS may cover a semester or an academic year.
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Leave of absence from classes
Students may apply for a leave of absence due to: health issues (for the duration of illness, treatment or rehabilitation), fortuitous events, for other reasons (“dean’s leave”). The decision to grant the leave of absence is taken by the Dean. A reasoned request for the leave must be submitted immediately after the cause justifying the leave has arisen. While on leave, students may attend certain classes or pass selected courses after obtaining permission from the Dean.
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English language course
In a small group or individually. Students with special educational needs may apply for it.
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Using and borrowing equipment and specialised software.
For the duration of their studies, students with disabilities are allowed to borrow equipment that facilitates their studying, such as an FM system, magnification and sound program, laptop, voice recorder. On the university premises, students can use an OCR scanner, an enlarger with a 27” screen, an electronic magnifier. VisionBoard2 keyboards, dolpin keyboards, wireless Bigtrack are all available in computer rooms.
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Photocopying of notes and teaching materials
Our university offers the Central Printing system, whereby every semester students with disabilities receive a top-up that allows them to print 500 pages (A4, black and white) for free.
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Transport
Periodic or year-round support in getting to the university for those who, due to a health condition, cannot use public transport and have no other way of getting to classes.
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Car park
People with physical disabilities can park in the car park in front of the new building (from T. Kutrzeby Street). Due to the limited number of parking spaces (3), priority is given to people with severe mobility limitations.
Contact
Beata Zamorska Ph.D.
The basis of the Representative’s work is respect for the student’s right to privacy and independence. Hence, appointments are made in a secluded room or online.