Legal regulations for individuals with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses

§17 Disadvantage compensation

(1) Severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent status (Section 2 (2) and (3) SGB IX as amended) who are unable to complete module examinations, partial module examinations or study requirements / credits in full or in part in accordance with the intended requirements shall be granted disadvantage compensation as an exception, taking into account the individual case. The prerequisite is that they are fundamentally able to achieve the qualification objective associated with the respective module examination, partial module examination or study requirements / credits. The limit of a possible disadvantage compensation results from the study and qualification objectives defined in a regulation or in a course concept for the courses offered; disadvantage compensation can only be considered if compliance with these defined study and qualification objectives is guaranteed. The disadvantage compensation can be granted in the form of organisational measures and aids, in the extension of the processing time and/or in the fact that students are permitted to complete equivalent module examinations, partial module examinations or study requirements / credits that deviate from the intended requirements.

(2) Other students who are unable to complete module examinations, partial module examinations or study requirements / credits in full or in part in accordance with the intended requirements due to a prolonged or permanent physical or mental disability may be granted disadvantage compensation in accordance with paragraph 1. In the case of temporary disabilities or due to the utilisation of maternity protection provisions, appropriate or other reasonable measures may be taken.

(3) Applications for disadvantage compensation for module examinations or partial module examinations should be submitted at least 3 weeks before the respective examination date. Applications for disadvantage compensation for study requirements / credits must be submitted within a reasonable period of time before they are taken. The disability must be substantiated; a medical certificate or, in justified individual cases, a certificate from a medical officer at Bielefeld University may be required.

(4) Decisions shall be made by the competent body.