Available support for disabilities
To the extent possible, we try to meet each individual student's need for support and accommodated learning and exams. Below is a description of the most common types of support. In the right-hand column, there are links to information related to types of support.
Go to:
Personal support
Coordinators for students with disabilities
Contact person at your department
Notetaking
Mentor
Assistant
Sign language interpreter
Resource Lab at the University Library (UB)
Practical and technical support
Alternative formats for texts
Software available for students who need reading and/or writing support
Resource Lab at the University Library (UB)
Alternative examination formats and individual study plans
Portable hearing loops and specially adapted chairs for loan
Sound recording during lectures
Other types of support
Accessibility – adaptation of premises, car parks etc
Studies abroad
Personal support
Coordinators for students with disabilities
As an enrolled student or as a PhD student, you can apply for support in connection with your studies.
There are two coordinators for students with disabilities at Student Services. If you have applied for support, you may meet with one of the coordinators to discuss which support measures can be applicable based on your needs.
Contact person at your department
In your certificate of pedagogical support, which you received from the coordinator, you will find the name of the contact person at your department, who oftentimes is the study counsellor. Contact the study counsellor at your department as soon as possible to discuss how the pedagogical support should function for you.
For the pedagogical support to function for you, the following is required of you:
- Contact the respective teacher at the beginning of each course module and explain what needs you have.
- Well in advance of the examination, preferably at the beginning of the course, inform the course coordinator/examiner if you need an alternative/accomodated form of examination.
Notetaking
It is possible for one of your classmates to be recruited to help you with notetaking during lectures and seminars. Your classmate will receive compensation for this as well as for photocopying costs from Student Services. 
Mentor
A mentor helps you plan and organise your studies. We cooperate with the departments to find a suitable person to provide you with personal support as regards to your studies. You meet regularly with the mentor to work with the course literature and prepare for seminars and exams, for example.
Assistant
If you need, you can get some practical help in your study situation. Examples are getting help with moving between rooms, getting help with photocopying, assistance during lectures and more. The assistant is often a classmate who receives compensation from the Student Services.
Sign language interpreter
If you are in need of a sign language interpreter and/or writing interpreter, you must notify the coordinator at Student Services when you apply for education.
Resource Lab at the University Library (UB)
In the Resource Lab, staff are available to help you order talking books etc., and to get started in using computer software programmes adapted for persons who have a visual impairment or reading and writing difficulties.
Practical and technical support
Alternative formats for texts
If you need course literature in an alternative format, such as talking books, enlarged texts, E-text or Braille, then the coordinator can register you at MTM (Swedish Agency for Accessible Media), which produces course literature in alternative formats. You may use your user ID to have new books narrated. The staff at the University Library are important contact persons for you regarding this service.
Software available for students who need reading and/or writing support
The university offers software designed to make it easier to read and write on computers. These are:
- spelling software in Swedish and English
- speech synthesis software with multi-language support. They can read text in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Word.
As a student, you will be able to reach the software via the tab “Software and IT tools” in Portalen (the student portal). Sign in to Portalen on www.student.umu.se/english.
Resource Lab at the University Library (UB)
In the Resource Lab, there are different types of computer software programmes adapted for persons who have a visual impairment or reading and writing difficulties, e.g. for scanning, speech synthesis, encyclopaedias and spell checkers.
Alternative examination formats and individual study plans
In certain cases you may be eligible for an individual study programme/curriculum. Individual solutions in connection with the teaching situation and for examinations are always drawn up in consultation with the course co-ordinator or director of studies. It is always the department that makes decisions in these matters.
The requirements for knowledge applies equally to all students, however, the presentation of your knowledge may occur in different ways.
Portable hearing loops and specially adapted chairs for loan
If you are in need of portable hearing loops or specially adapted chairs, you need to contact the coordinators at Student Services well in advance before your studies start.
Sound recording during lectures
It is possible for you to record lectures on your MP3 player or USB memory stick, but only if you have received permission from your instructor in advance. A decision from the coordinator at Student Services is required.
Other types of support
Accessibility – adaptation of premises, car parks etc
There are designated disabled parking spaces and accessible entrances at all buildings on Campus Umeå.
Studies abroad
Students with a disability have the possibility to study abroad. It is the student’s home university, i.e. Umeå University, that applies for extra funding to cover any extra costs resulting from the student’s disability. Contact the coordinator and the International Office, Umeå University. Read more at studyabroadwithoutlimits.
