BeSt

Department for Students with Disabilities (best)
(Department for students with chronic illness and disability)

A visible or non-visible chronic illness and/or disability often results in a variety of limitations. Studying with an impairment, whether physical or mental, can be a great challenge. Special rights, compensation for disadvantages and other benefits should nevertheless enable participation in society.

The "best" is therefore aimed at students and prospective students with disabilities who are looking for advice, information and an exchange of experiences. We can also use personal experiences and resources from our everyday study life to convey a realistic picture of opportunities and
possibilities. We also want to bring the concerns of students with disabilities to the attention of the University of Applied Sciences.

Of course, our counselling and all information is confidential.

The main topics of our offer by students for students are:
    - Counselling and information
    - Exchange of experience and contact between affected
    - Representation of students' interests
    - Networking with and contact to other university/stakeholders

The focal points of our counselling are
- Access and admission to studies
     - Do I have the right to improve my average grade and waiting time?
- Compensation for disadvantages in studies and examinations
     - Am I entitled to compensation for disadvantages?
     - What proof do I need?
     - What form can a disadvantage compensation take?
     - How long does it take for it to be granted?
- BAföG (initial counselling?
     - Am I entitled to an extension of the funding period if my studies
are delayed due to an impairment?
     - Am I entitled to a hardship allowance for assets?
- Orientation at the University of Applied Sciences
- Planning my studies
- Career entry
- Career planning
- Networking and mediation
- "Severely disabled pass"

Counselling:
Advice by e-mail or by individual appointment by telephone or video chat.

Disability
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, people who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual
or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers,
prevent them from participating fully, effectively and equally in
society, belong to the group of persons with disabilities. This means:
people are not disabled, but are disabled.

Useful links at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences:

Representative for students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

(download the application for compensation for disadvantages in examinations)

https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/beauftragte-fuer-studierende-mit-handicap

Special applications (hardship application; application for improvement of average grade/waiting time)

https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/studium/bewerbung/sonderantraege/haertefallantrag

Service for people with disabilities at the University Library of

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences
https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/bib/menschen-mit-behinderung

Central Student Advisory Service at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences
https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/zsb

Student finance advisory service
https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/studienfinanzierungsberatung

Scholarships for students with disabilities
https://www.fh-bielefeld.de/studienfinanzierungsberatung/stipendium/studieren-mit-handicap

Useful links in general:
  
Information and Counselling Centre for Studies and Disability of the German Student Union (IBS)
https://www.studentenwerke.de/de/behinderung

Competence Centre Disability, Academic Education, Career (kombabb e. V.)
http://www.kombabb-internetportal-nrw.de

Social scholarship of the Foundation Studienfons OWL
https://www.studienfonds-owl.de/stipendien/sozialstipendium/