Disability accommodation policy (10.6.10)

Széchenyi István University has a formal disability accommodation framework through its Regulation on Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Students with Special Needs (Szabályzat a Speciális Igényű Hallgatók Esélyegyenlőségének Biztosításáról). The Regulation establishes institutional responsibility for ensuring equal access to higher education for students with disabilities and special educational needs and provides a structured system for requesting, evaluating and implementing accommodations (§2-6, p. 3-5). The policy is implemented through the University Equal Opportunities Coordinator and the Special Needs Students Equal Opportunities Committee (EFB). The Coordinator supports registration, maintains records and statistics, advises students, coordinates support measures and works directly with academic staff to ensure that accommodations are implemented (§4(1)-(8), p. 4). The EFB reviews requests, investigates complaints, determines support measures and oversees decisions related to disability accommodations (§5(5), p. 5).

The University’s accommodation system provides individualized support for students with mobility, hearing, visual and speech impairments, autism spectrum conditions, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention and behavioural disorders, psychological disabilities and certain chronic health conditions (§7, p. 5-8). Registered students may receive examination accommodations, alternative assessment arrangements, study-related adjustments, individualized consultation, assistive technologies and accessibility services according to their documented needs. The Regulation also allows additional accommodations tailored to individual circumstances where justified by expert opinion (§7(15), p. 8).

The University allocates resources to support the implementation of accommodations. The Equal Opportunities Coordinator may propose the acquisition of equipment required to support students with disabilities, while the EFB may make recommendations regarding the use of financial resources dedicated to supporting students with special needs (§4(7), p. 4; §5(5), p. 5).

Available support includes assistive technologies and specialised equipment, personal assistants, sign-language, oral and note-taking interpreters, extended examination time, adapted examination formats, accessible learning environments and individual consultation opportunities (§7, p. 5-8).

As part of its commitment to providing accessible accommodation, the University offers dedicated accessible housing facilities for students with disabilities. In the Multifunctional Building of the University’s student residence, six two-bed accessible rooms are available to students. Each room is equipped with two beds, including pillows and duvets, two large desks, two chairs, four wardrobes and a refrigerator. Each room has a dedicated accessible bathroom with a shower and toilet. The accommodation can be accessed through an accessible entrance at the K1 reception, in addition to the access control system, and the rooms are accessible by lift. These facilities support equal access to safe, suitable and accessible student accommodation.