Studying with a handicap

16 percent of students in Bochum are handicapped and/or chronically sick. The proportion of this group in Bochum lies thus above the federal average (13 percent). The types of consultation available for handicapped and/or chronically sick students are consultation on specific problems as well as on everyday life issues. In contrast to able-bodied students, these people need intensive consultation and help in all phases of their studies. At the beginning of studies, the spatial situation at the university and individual help is most important, whereas later the student guidance deals with all aspects of life and learning. Towards the end of their studies, the crossover into the students' professional life is a central issue.

Individual Guidance

In most cases, important organisational structures still have to be established at the place of study. Among these are the supply and arrangement of personal assistants (these are people who assist in areas like daily care or also help with studies). Specific consultation offers for the handicapped as well as representation of the interests of handicapped students are therefore unconditionally necessary. They make appropriate study conditions possible at all, ensure equal opportunity and help to counteract discrimination.

In addition to individual guidance and study counselling, you will find information about housing, equipment for the hearing impaired, wheel chair access and parking and much more at the AKAFÖ-Service center for handicapped students of the Bochum universities.

Financing

Qualified support is offered particularly for problems related to "financing" (nursing staff and study assistants, BAFöG-special regulations, nursing allowance, reading service for the blind and visually impaired etc.). Handicapped students can work at computer stations with handicap-specific system configurations in the AKAFÖ Service center.

You can also turn to the information center for conflicts with bureaus. They are furthermore in contact with the representative for the handicapped at the universities, the course guidance office at the RUB, the community of interests of handicapped and non-handicapped students "IbS", the student counselling centers and the federal employment- and social welfare offices. The AKAFÖ supports all handicapped students in their endeavours to form more handicapped accessible universities. For this reason improvements were made through architectural measures (e.g. living arrangements for the handicapped or elevators outside near the Uni-Mensa).

Important offices to turn to

AKAFÖ, social counselling and counselling for the handicapped ("Sozial- und Behindertenberatung")
service center for handicapped students
Harry Baus, Claudia Heim
Studierendenhaus (SH), ground floor, room 040
Universitätsstraße 150
44801 Bochum
Phone 0234/32-11530 or 970231-0
Fax 7099943
E-Mail
http://www.akafoe.de/szb

Office hours:
general opening hours mon-fri from 8.30 (variable closing times), office hours tue & thu 9-12, other times by appointment only, computer work room available during office hours (registration in room 040)
System administrator's office hours (Christian Eggemeier) by appointment only

Community of interests of handicapped and non-handicapped students at universities in Bochum
("Interessengemeinschaft behinderter und nichtbehinderter Studierender an Bochumer Hochschulen", IbS)
Service center for handicapped students
Studierendenhaus (SH), ground floor, room 037
Universitätsstraße 150
44801 Bochum
Phone 32-22393
Fax 32-14460
E-Mail
http://www.rub.de/ibs
variable office hours, please note the bulletins

Career guidance for handicapped high-school graduates and students
Ms. Kreidt
Studierendenhaus (SH), level 2, room 211
Phone 32-22435

Consultation by appointment only, please contact the secretary of the course guidance office (Studienbüro) to make an appointment (phone 32-23865). Consultation is also available at the job center.

job center
(Arbeitsagentur) Bochum
Universitätsstraße 66
44789 Bochum
Phone 0234/305-12 76
office hours mon 10-12 & 14-16, tue 11-12 & 14-16, wed & thu 10-12 & 14-16

Important offices at Ruhr-University

Principal's representative of the Ruhr-Universiy for the handicapped
Prof. Dr. Güntürkün
building GAFO 05/618
Phone 0234/ 32-26213
Fax 0234/32-14377

Literature procurement for visually impaired, hearing impaired and physically handicapped students
Ms. Micka and Ms. Schwartges
university library, level 0, room 01
Phone 0234/ 32-26461
office hours mon-fri 8.15-13 h and 14-16 h

Receiver for hearing impaired students (during lectures)
Mr. Wohlfahrt
building IC, level 03, room 143
Phone 0234/ 32-22201

Key card and keys for the car park
Mr. Meyke
building UV, level 1, room 142
Phone 0234/ 32-27950

Key for handicapped lavatories and priority key for elevators
Mr. Jürgen Reinhold
building UV, level 1, room 158
Phone 0234/ 32-27951

Important offices at Bochum University of Applied Sciences

Representative for handicapped students at the Hochschule Bochum
Prof. Dr. Heiner Krumlinde
Phone 0234/ 32-10117, -105
E-Mail

Important offices at Evangelic University of Applied Sciences

Representative for handicapped students at the EFH
Prof. Dr. Theresia Degener
Room 176
Phone 0234/ 36901-172 
Office hours: Wednesday 1-2 p.m.