Students with special needs
The faculty of Government and European studies enables students with special needs suitable adjustments of the study process that assure their equal participation and integration into all procedures at the faculty. Thus, the faculty is responsible to provide equal rights and access to information available to the public.
Students with special needs are in accordance with the Rules of studies of the FGS entitled to special benefits. The latter defines terms for granting a status of a student with special needs and common rights and adjustments of the study process. In order to enforce the rights arising from the mentioned Rules, the students must submit an application to the Commission for Student Affairs at our faculty.
In specific cases, the Faculty enables individual procedures that are based on coordination of individual student’s needs on one side and characteristics of a single study programme on the other. The support in the field of enrolment, introduction into the study process, adjustment of study materials and study support to students with special needs is provided by the Faculty’s Student Office.
– CONTACT: info@fds.nova-uni.si
The Career Centre of the faculty also provides students with special needs with different forms of individual assistance. Herewith it provides individual career counselling, support in selection of studies, support at the introduction into the study process, assistance in career plan preparation, various free workshops in order to obtain additional knowledge, visits to working environments, presentations of employers, assistance in transition into employment (preparation of written presentation, preparation of innovative presentation to the employer) and other activities.
– CONTACT: zdenka.volaric@fds.nova-uni.si
The faculty enables additional adjustment of the study process with the assistance of E-studies. This type of studies represents an extreme opportunity for many who find the classical form of studies inappropriate and is also suitable for students who travel a lot or reside in remote parts of Slovenia or abroad, and is especially friendly to students with special needs. The advantages of E-studies are hidden in the flexibility of studies and the ability of individual adjustment of the pace of learning to individual’s needs. In addition, in many cases the average learning time is shortened, study results are improved, since the student is:
- enabled with unlimited insight into video footage of lectures and electronic study material,
- enabled with interactive participation of selected discussions and debates at selected dates,
- enabled with individual monitoring of study progress,
- and enabled with adjusting the font size and volume of recordings for students with a vision or hearing problem.
– CONTACT: info@fds.nova-uni.si
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Criteria for implementing special student status
The candidates who may apply for special education conditions under the student-athlete status are:
– categorised athletes;
– students who were officially nominated as a team coach or an individual categorised athlete by a specific national sports federation.
A categorized athlete from the first indent of the previous paragraph is an athlete, who based on the classification of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia – Association of Sports Federations (hereinafter referred to as the OKS-ZŠZ) and the Paralympics Committee of Slovenia obtained one of the following titles: world class athlete, international athlete, prospective athlete, national athlete, youth athlete. Proof of classification is an official certificate of status issued by the Elite Sports Committee with the OKS-ZŠZ.
The rights with respect to the student-athlete status may also be enforced by a student officially nominated for a team coach or an individual categorized athlete by a specific national sports federation, and is directly involved in the preparation and realisation of categorized athlete programmes. Proof of compliance with the requirements is a certificate issued by the OKS-ZŠZ for the current academic year.
The athlete student status lasts one academic year with the possibility of extension.
Criteria for implementation artist/cultural worker student status
The candidate who may enforce rights under the artist/cultural worker student status are:
– a member of a national or international society or federation of societies in the field of art;
– a student with a certificate of cultural worker status;
– a student with publicly recognised artwork.
A member of the national or international society or federation of societies in the field of art from the first indent of the previous paragraph is the artist/cultural worker who is, after the met requirements of the mentioned institutions, already a member of a society or a federation of the following artistic activities: music, art, film, theatre, dance, literary, photography or any other artistic activities. The proof of membership is the official certificate of membership issued by a specific national or international society or federation of societies in the field of art. The certificate of a cultural worker status is issued by the Ministry of Culture.
The candidate who enforces the recognition of an artist/cultural worker status based on publicly recognised artwork must submit a curriculum vitae and a list of performed works divided by years regarding the activity he is engaged in.
The criteria of public recognition of artwork are:
– publicly disclosed professional critique of the artwork;
– awarded artwork/achievement in a national or an international competition in the past or current study year.
The candidate submits the following proof on public recognition of artwork/achievement:
– a copy of publicly disclosed critique of the artwork/achievement or
– a photocopy of national or international recognition or award at an artistic talent competition or
– an official certificate of artistic achievement issued by the Ministry of Culture.
The artist/cultural worker status lasts one academic year with the possibility of extension.
Criteria for implementing a special needs student status
Categories of candidates that may enforce special conditions of education under special needs student status are persons with special needs. In accordance with the Act that regulates placement of children with special needs are students with special needs under these Rules:
-blind and visually impaired students,
-deaf and hearing impaired students,
-students with speech and linguistic impairments,
-physically disabled students,
-students with long-term illnesses,
-students with deficits in individual fields of learning and
-students with emotional and behavioural disorders.
The status of a student with special needs is granted taking into consideration the type of problems according to the student’s status for a part or the entire duration of studies.
Criteria for implementation of a recognised credits student status
Categories of candidates who could enforce rights in respect of a student with recognised credits in extracurricular activities, in Faculty’s bodies and committees, in Faculty’s Student Organisations and in other defined cases that actively participate in:
– sport activities;
– cultural activities;
– intellectual activities;
– in bodies and committees of the Faculty and the Faculty’s Student Organisation.
Special status is also granted to a student who demonstrates above-average, beneficial activity and commitment:
– for the benefit of the Faculty;
– for the benefit of the local community, in which they permanently reside or the local community of the Faculty;
– at a national level.
Active participation in charitable organisations for humanitarian purposes, for the purposes of protection of the environment and cultural heritage are considered as above-average beneficial activities. A student may not apply for special status on the grounds of membership in a political party and within the framework of its functioning, in accordance with this article.
The status of a student with recognised credits lasts one academic year with the possibility of extension.
Proof of status
Relevant documents that prove the status of a student with special needs are:
– a decision on placement from the National Educational Institute,
– an expert opinion of the Committee for placement of children with special needs,
– a decision from the Social Work Centre,
– a certificate and opinion of the Expert Committee for placement of children and youth,
– a decision from the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of the Republic of Slovenia,
– a medical certificate issued by a specialist physician.
The student proves their active participation in activities from previous articles hereunder by submitting a certificate from the competent or suitableauthority, president, coordinator, manager or coach of the activity.
In addition to the certificate and the opinion, the student must also submit a description and presentation of activities they engage in, current work, frequency of operation and substantiation of reasons on the grounds of which the status regarding the five categories should be granted to them:
– a student active in sports activities of the Faculty: attendance at training, attendance at competitions, bearer of the game, achievements at competitions;
– a student active in cultural activities of the Faculty: number of publications, number of exhibitions, attendance at rehearsals, number of performances;
– a student active in intellectual activities of the Faculty: attendance, extent and complexity of work, participation and achievements at competitions;
– a student who operates in the bodies and committees of the Faculty, Faculty’s Student Organisation or any other Student Organisation: responsiveness to managers, attendance at sessions, current writing of reports, management or assistance in organising or conducting activities;
– a student who is active in other specific cases that are defined in these rules and regulations: management or assistance in organising or conducting activities.
Rights and responsibilities of students with special status
Rights and obligations of students with special status
A student who was granted the status and thus special terms of education may enforce the following rights:
– the right to reduced mandatory attendance and justified absence for academic requirements in agreement with the course coordinator or lecturer;
– the right to pass the exam outside the prescribed term and in a specific manner;
– the right to subsequent presentations of the seminar paper and subsequent taking partial exams and exams in the event of participation in competitions home or abroad;
– the right to enrol into the next year or graduation year up to one year under special conditions of these rules and regulations;
– the entering of achievements into the diploma supplement which arise from participation in extracurricular activities, bodies and committees of the Faculty, etc.
A student who is granted the status and fails to comply with their duties or abuses their rights loses the right to the special terms of education under these rules and regulations.
The obligations of a student with special terms of education based on status are:
– fulfilment of all other obligations foreseen by the study programme;
– responsibility towards the granted status;
– complying with the code of ethical conduct in sports and other areas;
– participation in events and competitions organised by the Faculty in the field of their status and writing reports on participation in bodies and committees etc.
Special adjustments to studies for students with special needs
Types of special adjustments to studies for students with special needs
Regarding the deficits, impairments or disabilities of students with special needs there are possible adjustments in the implementation of lectures and tutorials during the studies in a manner of examination and assessment of knowledge and with the use of the library.
1. Adjustments in the implementation of lectures and tutorials
The following adjustments regarding the implementation of lectures and tutorials are options for students, depending on their type and level of deficits, impairments or disabilities and the potential combination of deficits, impairments or disabilities:
– advance publication of study materials that students receive at lectures and tutorials
– (e.g. or the blind and visually impaired students in order to follow the course of the lecture or for those students who are unable to make notes);
– advance publication of study materials used in a course (study unit) in order to be modified in electronic or audio form and be properly enlarged;
– recording of lectures and tutorials;
– the use of special devices such as computers, electronic magnifiers, magnifying glasses and similar;
– presence of an assistant, namely: reader or writer or interpreter – translator into Slovenian sign language;
– option of submitting written papers in electronic form;
– carrying out specific academic requirements teamed up with a student who does not have a student with special needs status;
– opportunity to perform specific assignments and exercises at home (partial form of e-learning);
– adjusting the method of performance of professional or study practical work to fit the student’s abilities so that they may demonstrate their knowledge and skills or gained competences defined with the study programme;
– other adjustments regarding the given capacities of the Faculty.
2. Adjustments in the method of assessment and evaluation of knowledge
The method of assessment and evaluation of knowledge for students with special needs is adjusted in such a manner that they may demonstrate the level of their knowledge, however the required standards of knowledge achievements may not be lowered.
The following adjustments are options for students, depending on their type and level of deficits, impairments or disabilities and the potential combination of deficits, impairments or disabilities:
a) extension of the time for oral or written examinations
In principle, the student may be granted an extension of 100% of the foreseen time to take the written or oral examination, but also more regarding the deficit, impairment or disabilities or specifics of the course (study unit), in which the exam is taken. When taking the examination, the student may also be provided with short breaks. The course coordinator rules on this issue. As a rule, the time of the break may also be extended for a maximum of 50% of the foreseen time (and the time of preparation for the exam as well), if it is established that this would be necessary due to the situation.
All students with special needs are entitled to an extension of the examination time.
b) provision of a special room in order to take the examination
A special room to take the examination shall be provided to the student if the room, in which the examination would have been conducted is inaccessible to them. A special room is also provided to the student in the event that the student would be “disturbing” other students who are taking the examination (e.g. use of audio support on a computer, presence of an assistant, etc.).
All students with special needs are entitled to the provision of a special room in order to take the examination.
c) adjustments in the room or to the room and adjustments of the equipment
The room, in which they are taking the examination, may be adjusted for the student and they may also have equipment adjusted for them, namely: their working surface may be adjusted, a room with special acoustic conditions may be provided, additional lighting may be enabled, also enable the use of an appropriate chair, a cut-out table and similar.
The blind and the visually impaired students are provided with an adjusted working surface (the possibility of elevation, additional lighting and similar). The deaf and hearing impaired students are provided with a room with adequate acoustic conditions, and they are also entitled to using electric and acoustic devices, while the physically disabled candidates are entitled to an adjusted working area (cut-out table, appropriate chair, incline).
d) taking the examination with the assistance of a computer or the use of special devices
A student may also be entitled to take the exam with the assistance of a computer. In this case the student cannot have access to any other accessories on the computer or in the programme; they may only use programmes that technically facilitate the implementation of the exam. Their work must be recorded on a compact disc or any other data carrier and printed, and it must be erased from the computer. A student may also use special devices, such as a Braille type-writer, a computer with a Braille pad or magnifying software, an electronic magnifier, a magnifying glass, adequate pens and similar.
The blind and the visually impaired students, students with speech and linguistic impairments, physically disabled students, students with long-term illnesses and students with deficits in individual areas of learning are entitled to take the exam with the assistance of a computer. The blind and the visually impaired students (a Braille type-writer, a computer with a Braille pad or magnifying software, an electronic magnifier, a magnifying glass, adequate pens and similar), physically disabled students (adequate pens, a computer), students with long-term illnesses (a computer) and students with deficits in individual areas of learning (a computer) are entitled to use special devices.
e) taking the examination with the assistance of a computer
A student who, due to the type and degree of the deficit, impairment or disability, is not able to take the exam alone, and in substantiated cases with other students as well, may be assigned an assistant, namely: a reader or writer and interpreter – translator into Slovenian sign language (hereinafter: the assistant). The assistant may not be a higher education teacher or associate of the course (study unit) or student’s relative.
The following students are entitled to take the exam with the assistance of an assistant, namely, the blind and the visually impaired students (reader and/or writer), the deaf and the hearing impaired students (interpreter – translator into the Slovenian sign language), the physically disabled students (reader and/or writer), students with long-term illnesses (reader and/or writer) and students with deficits in individual areas of learning (reader and/or writer).
f) modification of the form of assessment and evaluation of knowledge
A student who, due to the type and degree of the deficit, impairment or disability, is not able to take e.g. an oral or written examination shall be provided with a different form of assessment and evaluation of knowledge.
All students with special needs are entitled to modification of the form of assessment and evaluation of knowledge.
g) adjustment of the form of examination material
The form of the examination material may be adjusted for blind or the visually impaired students: the enlargement of text or written material and transcription of the questions into Braille.
h) other adjustments regarding the given capacities of the Faculty.
3. Adjustments in the library
The following adjustments are possible in the library for students, depending on their type and level of deficits, impairments or disabilities and the potential combination of deficits, impairments or disabilities:
– longer lending of materials (due to translation into an accessible form: enlargement of the material transcription into Braille and similar);
– the possibility of lending of materials that is only accessible in the reading room (due to translation into an accessible form, transcription into Braille and similar);
– provision of assistance in finding the material;
– the possibility of lending of materials by the student’s supporter or assistant if the library is inaccessible to the student;
– other adjustments regarding the given capacities of the Faculty.
Procedure of special status recognition and revocation
Procedure of special status recognition and revocation
The candidate must, at the time of enrolment into a individual study year or the graduation year, complete a special application for the acquisition of special student status, which applies to athletes or coaches, artists/cultural workers, students with special needs and students with recognised credits, using the prescribed form, which is an annex (Annex 21) to these rules and regulations.
As a rule, the candidate submits the application until October 15 of the current academic year, if the reasons to obtain the status occur during the year, then at that particular time. The application shall be accompanied with the suitable proof. The Academic Affairs Committee rules on this issue.
All students with a granted status and educated under the special terms receive a remark in the electronic record of completed requirements and the personal file of the student, in which the type of problem or the reason of status awarding and type of recognised adjustments are evident (e.g. allowed absence in organised forms of the educational process, specific method of taking the examination).
At the beginning of the study year, the Office for Student Affairs informs all lecturers in the current year about students who are in this year enrolled in individual courses and have been granted special status, including the type of recognised adjustments of the academic process.
The procedure to revoke the status is conducted mutatis mutandis as the procedure of its acquisition.