Workbook final

EATURES

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DDITIONS FROM THE

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The University of Iceland’s Regulation on disability services No. 481 of 2010 is to be classified as a

legally binding

regulatory-distributive policy issued by a public education institution (university)

that entitles students with

disabilities or specific learning difficulties to a number of disability services (special study circumstances and special

examination procedures) and that established a Council for the Affairs of Disabled Persons. Among its key features are:

An enlarged definition of disability (compared to the 2002 regulation) to include students with mental health

problems, chronical diseases and students with dyslexia.

Disability services overseen by the University of Iceland’s Student Counselling and Career Centre (USCCC)

provided in close cooperation with the students themselves, in collaboration with the relevant staff (professors,

etc.), tailored to a student's individual needs;

Services are only provided on the basis of a professional evaluation from the USCCC as well as a specialist;

Services are free of charge for the student;

Students may make use of various specialized computer equipment available (however there are no grants for

the purchase of appliances, computers, software or other equipment);

The USCCC makes a written agreement with the student outlining the services provided, which has to be

produced before the commencement of studies; the agreement is regularly reviewed;

The USCCC consults the relevant faculty or department regarding services (e.g. competitive examinations)

requiring that teaching staff be directly involved with the implementation of services;

Responsible parties within the University (e.g. faculty personnel) shall ensure that the organization of individual

courses, including location, examinations, etc., give students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties the

best possible opportunity to fully participate in studies;

USCCC stores and handles sensitive personal information in compliance with privacy laws;

10.

The rector appoints a five-person Council for the Affairs of Disabled People for a three-year term, chaired by the

university’ equal opportunities officer, to oversee the affairs of students with disabilities and to regularly review

of the University’s policy;

11.

Appeals can be made to the head of the Division of Academic Affairs, who shall then seek a reference from the

Council for the Affairs of Disabled People, before ruling on the matter;

12.

The rector, University Council, students, and other parties within the faculty and central administration may

request the verdict of the Council for the Affairs of Disabled People on individual issues.

NNOVATION

The University of Iceland, the largest of its kind in the country with about 13,600 students, is the only one, which has

formalized its services to students with disabilities or special needs, by adopting its Regulation on Disability Services of

2010. The regulation is innovative as it includes a broad definition of disability that embraces also students with mental

health problems, chronical diseases and students with dyslexia. It removed a number of barriers through increased