On this page you will find out what the most common support means. You also get to know what to do to access them.
Once you have applied and received a decision on support, there are things you need to do to access the support. Here are the most common kinds of support.
Adaptations during written examinations
Examples of such adaptations are extended time, access to a separate room or access to a computer running special software.
Register for the written examination and report your need for adaptation well in advance, preferably at the beginning of the course or module, but no later than 10 working days before the examination.*
The course coordinator decides if you can get the adaptations during the examination. Contact the department´s contact person well in advance to find out what you need to do.
*Note: If you need special equipment, access to your own software, etc., it is particularly important that you report your need already in connection with the start of the course to ensure that the adaptations work on the day of the examination.
Adaptation of course materials
This means that the material is made available in the format you need. It may include braille, tactile images or a large print. The material can also be made available by editing the text for reading out loud using speech synthesis. If the material you need in adapted format is of a kind that is being distributed during the course or programme, please contact the contact person for the department or for your study programme.
This may, for example, involve signage, permanent hearing loops, the need for renovations of premises or provision of door openers.
Adaptation of premises can take time to prepare. If you need this support, it is important that you submit your application for support for disability already when you apply for education.
Once you have been given a decision on adaptation of premises, turn to the contact person at the department to find out how to proceed.
Additional support from supervisor
For example, you may receive additional support from supervisor regarding internship or thesis-related work.
The person responsible at the department decides to what extent the recommendation can be provided.
For example, you may receive additional teaching support for clarifications regarding study assignments. To receive this support, you must attend the regular lectures and seminars scheduled.
Talk to your current teacher or supervisor if you need this support.
The person responsible at the department decides to what extent the recommendation can be provided.
Assistance with writing
This means that someone writes down what you say when you are unable to write yourself. Assistance with writing is usually used in connection with written assignments and examinations.
The coordinator informs you how to proceed if you have received the support assistance with writing.
Digital recording device (Smartpen)
You can receive note taking support through a smartpen, which is a small digital recording device.
If you want to use a smartpen, contact your coordinator at Student Services Office and they will add this to your decision on support. Then you'll get information on how to get access to the smartpen.
If you want to make a sound recording of lectures and seminars, make sure you have been approved this in your decision. Otherwise, contact your coordinator at Student Services Office.
Educational interpreting
This means that sign language interpreting, writing interpreting or deaf-blind interpreting is provided in study-related contexts.
Educational interpretation can take time to prepare. If you need this support, it is important that you submit your application for support for disability already when you apply for education. The coordinator informs you how to get the support.
Group room priority
This means that you are given priority when it comes to booking group rooms.
Contact Infocenter through the contact form on the web, or by telephone, and state your contact information. You will then be contacted by one in their staff and receive information on how to proceed to get the support.
Book group rooms at least six days before the date you wish to use the room.
Individual study plans
This means that the course layout can be adjusted according to your disability, such as adaptation of timetable, part-time studies and more.
If you have been approved mentor support, you will meet with a mentor who can support you in improving your study technique and for planning and structuring your studies.
To start the mentor support, contact your coordinator.
If you have been approved note taking support during lectures and seminars you can receive this through a smartpen, which is a small digital recording device.
If you want to use a smartpen, contact your coordinator at Student Services Office and they will add this to your decision on support. Then you'll get information on how to get access to the smartpen.
Also, note that it is possible to use the dictation function in Word in Office 365, which you as a student at Umeå University has access to.
If you want to make a sound recording of lectures and seminars, make sure you have been approved this in your decision. Otherwise, contact your coordinator.
However, if you due to your disability cannot use these technical devices, please contact your coordinator to find other solutions.
Provision of lecture material in advance
To give you the opportunity to acquaint yourself with the material used by the teacher in the classroom, teachers can make sure that you get access to the lecture material in advance.
Talk to your current teacher to get this support.
Sound recording
You who have been granted support for disability have the right to make audio recordings of lectures.
Also, note that there are other possible software solutions for this, for example dictation in Word in Office 365, which you as a student at Umeå University has access to.
The Umeå University rules on sound recording during lectures is only available in Swedish. If you can´t read Swedish, ask someone who does to translate the rules found in "Regler för ljudupptagning, fotografering och filmning mm i samband med undervisningssituationer", found in the Legal Framework at Umeå University.
Special equipment
Special equipment available in connection with teaching situations are:
adjustable desks and chairs
portable hearing loops
backrest or seat cushion
Such equipment can also be used during written examinations.
Show your decision on support for the staff in Infocenter to get the support. If you need the same support for written examinations, you must report your needs no later than ten days before the exam date to your contact person at the study programme or the department.
Support from another student or personnel
This may, for example, involve providing visual support by escorting you, providing support for orientation or navigating virtual learning environments. This person may also provide support when equipment needs to be moved between lecture halls.
"Support of fellow student" as stated in the decision you received from the coordinator may be a fellow student or an employee.
If it is an employee who will accompany you, contact Infocenter through the contact form on the web, or by telephone, and state your contact information. You will then be contacted by one in their staff and receive information on how to proceed to get the support.
Transcription
This involves converting recorded teaching into text.
Transcription can take time to prepare. If you need this support, it is important that you contact the course or programme well in advance. You can do this either via the contact form at umu.se or to the contact person given at the course or programme webpage.
You do not need a decision from Student Services to get this support.
