Inclusion and Participation
University life can present barriers, especially for people with a disability and/or chronic condition. By removing physical, digital, linguistic, and other barriers, we aim to make it easier for students and staff to participate in life at the University of Bonn.
Promotional film from the ‘Diversity at German Universities’ project (2024)
Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube
What is Inclusion?
Inclusion means that structures are designed from the outset to accommodate all people, especially those with disabilities. Measures that reduce barriers benefit everyone – including those who experience barriers temporarily.
In fact, significantly more people experience barriers in everyday life than one might think. They often worry that officially declaring a (non-visible) disability will result in personal disadvantages. Through greater awareness and education, we want to create an environment in which people can be sure that by communicating their limitations, they will receive support rather than rejection.
Our goal is to remove both environmental and attitudinal barriers in order to comply with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
How we promote participation
Physical accessibility
Improving physical access and provision of information on accessibility
Digital accessibility
Improvement the digital accessibility of IT applications and teaching materials
Support
Expansion of support services, teaching, and research
Accessibility accommodations
Subject-specific evaluation and optimization of the allocation of accessibility accommodation
Communication
Internal and external accessible communication
We are working on...
Quick Wins for Digital Accessibility
The “Quick wins for digital accessibility” project is developing measures and strategies for greater digital accessibility in IT applications at the University of Bonn. You can find more information here.
Checklists and Tools for Digital Accessibility
Here you can find various guidelines and templates that you can use to make documents and web content accessible, so that your courses or website are accessible to everyone.
Contact Persons for Students
Here you will find an overview of all contact persons for students with a disability and/or chronic condition at the faculties of the University of Bonn.
Spaces for work, rest, and retreat
On this page, you will find a list of all rooms and workspaces at the University of Bonn for people with disabilities.
“Inclusive University”
The funding program assists students with a disability and/or chronic condition in their studies. Details on the application and selection process can be found here.
INCLUSION working group
This working group brings together university stakeholders who are active in the field of inclusion to identify structural barriers and jointly develop strategic solutions. In addition to strategic work, the focus is on exchange and networking among members. We are always happy to welcome people (with and without disabilities or chronic conditions) who are interested in contributing their perspective to the working group INKLUSION. Interested? Please contact us.
Resources on Inclusion and Participation
Here you can find various resources offered by the University of Bonn for students, faculty, and staff on the topic of inclusion and participation.
Resources relating to (digital) accessibility
Students who encounter barriers during their studies can seek confidential and solution-oriented counseling from the Representative for Students with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses. The Representative advocates for the interests of students with disabilities, provides guidance on orientation before starting their studies, advises on support options and individual accommodations during their studies, and offers assistance in cases of conflict.
The person of trust for severely disabled employees and their deputies advise and represent severely disabled colleagues and their equals with the aim of inclusion in the workplace.
The AStA at the University of Bonn is also committed to advocating for students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. In addition to regular counseling services for students with disabilities, chronic or mental health conditions, neurodivergent students, and deaf students (CIMND*), regular networking events are also held. The CIMND* department advocates for students affected by ableism.
Students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses can receive advice on financing, scholarships, integration assistance benefits, care and support services, as well as finding housing at Studierendenwerk Bonn.
The University of Bonn’s University Sports program has established an inclusive range of sports activities and offers various opportunities to play sports with others and develop one’s individual abilities—regardless of personal skills, abilities, or prior experience.
The University Sports program is generally open to all students and staff, and individual accommodations can be made at any time.
Undergraduate and graduate students who wish to spend a semester studying in another European country can receive financial support through the Erasmus+ program. Additional funding is available to individuals in “diverse” life situations. This includes people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, students going abroad with a child, working students and graduate students, as well as first generation university students.
Information on accessibility and contact persons in the Department of Economics can be found here.
Studying with a disability or chronic illness in the Department of Economics
The Department of Geosciences has published a list on its website that rates all seminar rooms for accessibility.
The DH.NRW project “Competence Center for Digital Accessibility” supports students with disabilities at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia in using assistive technologies in their daily academic life. It also offers open office hours and counseling.
Julia Lindenberg (she/her)
Read also
Diversity Strategy
Here you can find an overview of the University of Bonn’s diversity strategy until 2030.