10.6.10
Disability Accommodation Policy
1. Purpose
This policy formalises the University of Thessaly’s commitment to providing appropriate accommodations and support to students, staff and community members with disabilities and/or special educational needs. It is grounded in the mission of the Accessibility Center to ensure full participation in educational, research and administrative activities of the University. (https://prosvasi.uth.gr/en/αρχική-english/)
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
– Students (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral), staff, and visitors with disabilities or special educational needs.
– All campuses and units of the University of Thessaly.
– All academic, administrative, research, and social participation activities, including classroom instruction, library access, digital resources, physical infrastructure, and mobility.
– The University’s registration, assessment and support processes.
3. Definitions
– Disability / Special Educational Needs: Any physical, sensory, intellectual, or learning impairment which may hinder participation in University activities without appropriate accommodations.
– Accommodation: Adjustments, supports or modifications provided to enable equal participation (e.g., assistive technology, alternative assessment formats, access support).
– Accessibility: Designing and providing services, infrastructure and digital content in a manner that ensures effective use by persons with disabilities.
– Mobility Support: Support for movement within and between campuses or sites, and in accessing University activities.
– Reasonable Accommodation / Appropriate Support: Measures which do not impose disproportionate burden, but remove barriers to participation.
4. Policy Statement
The University shall:
1. Ensure that students and staff with disabilities have access to appropriate accommodations and supports, through the Accessibility Center.
2. Provide advance registration and assessment of individual needs to plan accommodations.
3. Offer alternative access formats and assistive technologies (e.g., braille, large print, audio, modified exams, screen-reader compatible digital resources).
4. Ensure physical access to buildings, laboratories, libraries, and other facilities including mobility-friendly infrastructure.
5. Provide training and awareness to faculty and administrative staff regarding disability accommodations and inclusive teaching/working practices.
6. Monitor and review the effectiveness of accommodation arrangements and update as necessary.
7. Maintain confidentiality, dignity and respect in the provision of accommodations.
8. Collaborate with external organisations and networks of persons with disabilities to continually improve support and accessibility.
5. Implementation Responsibilities
The University shall manage the registration of persons requesting accommodations, assessment of needs, coordination of services, and monitoring. The Accessibility Center will maintain protocols for consultation, accommodation design and service delivery. The University is responsible for physical access improvements and maintenance of accessible infrastructure. It ensures digital resources meet accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and provides assistive technology support. Academic Departments and Supervisors must ensure reasonable accommodations in teaching, assessment and supervision. The Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) shall include accommodation support in its review process and report outcomes to The Senate.
6. Support Services and Procedures
Individuals requiring accommodations shall register with the Accessibility Center within the timeframe set annually (e.g., for each semester) to initiate the assessment and accommodation plan. The Accommodation Plan will identify required supports (e.g., alternative assessment formats, assistive tech, mobility support) and be reviewed as necessary. The University shall provide dedicated counselling, peer-support and tutoring for students with disabilities. Assistive technologies (screen-readers, voice recognition, adapted desktops) and physical aids shall be available. Accessible transportation and way-finding on and between campuses will be facilitated. Training and orientation for staff and students on inclusive practices and use of accommodations.
7. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
The Accessibility Center shall conduct annual reviews of the accommodation system, including service delivery, user satisfaction, resource utilisation and outcomes. The University shall publish an Annual Accommodation and Accessibility Report summarising key indicators (number of registered persons, types of accommodations, outcomes, complaints resolved). MODIP will review accommodation provision as part of the institutional quality assurance cycle. Feedback from users with disabilities will be collected and used to inform improvements.
8. Review and Amendment
This policy will be reviewed every three (3) years or earlier if required by legislation, institutional change or external audit findings. Proposed revisions shall be submitted by the University for approval by the Governing Council.
9. References and Legal Framework
– Greek Law 4074/2012 – UN CRPD Ratification
– Greek Law 4488/2017 – Equality & Equal Opportunities in Education
– Greek Law 4957/2022 – Higher Education Reform (including accessibility provisions)
– UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 4, SDG 10, SDG 11)