Specific needs
The HES-SO Genève and its six schools (HEPIA, HEG, HEAD, HEM, HEdS and HETS) make access and integration for members of its student community with disabilities a priority. Their policy is based on Swissuniversities’ recommendations for meeting the needs of those with disabilities while studying at university. Swissuniversities is the umbrella organisation for universities in Switzerland.
The recommendations apply to: chronic, mental or physical illness, learning disabilities (DYS, ADD, ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), etc.
At each school, a contact person processes requests for the adjustments to be made, and submits these to the management team for a decision. Each school has its own deadlines for submitting requests.
Adjustment request procedure
How do you go about making a request for adjustments?
- Check the pages below that match your health situation to find out which documents you need to provide.
- Complete the online form in the dedicated section and attach the requested documents. Each school’s deadlines for submitting applications are specified on the form.
- The specific needs contact person at your school will contact you following your application to arrange an interview. If necessary, you may contact them directly.
- At the end of the interview, a decision will be made and sent to you.
Specific needs covered
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
For ADD and ADHD, you must provide an assessment in the health issue from a doctor or professional expert dated less than two years ago.
The assessment must include:
- Date of the initial diagnosis.
- Details of the tests carried out in your last health assessment, along with numerical results and deviations from the norm, justifying the requested adjustment measures.
- An assessment of targeted cognitive processes, using tools or tests that are appropriate for the student's age/level of education.
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies.
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
- If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your psychiatrist or health specialist again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” request to finance external consultations advised by the Espace Santé HES-SO Genève team of nurses. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form
DYS (neurodevelopmental) disorders: dyslexia, dysorthography, dyscalculia, dysprax
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
For DYS (neurodevelopmental) disorders, you must provide an assessment in the health issue from a doctor or professional expert (e.g. speech therapist, occupational therapist) dated less than two years ago.
The comprehensive assessment must include:
- Date of the initial diagnosis
- A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the disorders adapted to young adults in university training, such as Exalang or LyFac.
- Numerical test results (appropriate to the student’s age and level) carried out in your last health asssessment and deviation from the norm (standard deviations or percentiles)
- For dyscalculia: specify whether all subjects and exams taken are concerned, or whether the recommendations only apply to mathematics.
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
- If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your health specialist again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” request, clearly stating the reason for the request (speech therapy assessment) and attaching a certificate signed by your school. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form.
Mental health disorders
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
For mental health disorders, you must provide a comprehensive assessment from a psychiatrist dated less than one year ago.
The comprehensive assessment must include:
- Date of the initial diagnosis
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your psychiatrist again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” assistance request to finance external consultations advised by the Espace Santé HES-SO Genève team of nurses. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form.
Somatic disorders and chronic illnesses
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
For somatic disorders and chronic illnesses, you must provide a comprehensive assessment completed by a specialist doctor dated less than one year ago.
- Date of the initial diagnosis
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
- If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your specialist doctor again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” assistance request to finance external consultations advised by the Espace Santé HES-SO Genève team of nurses. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
Regarding autism spectrum disorder, if you have received the OIC 405 decision for medical measures to be granted from Assurance Invalidité CH (Swiss Disability Insurance) (or a foreign organisation deemed equivalent), this is considered a valid document. If this is not the case, you must provide a comprehensive assessment from a specialist doctor (psychiatrist, neurologist or neuropsychologist, etc.).
The comprehensive assessment must include:
- Date of the initial diagnosis
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
- If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your specialist doctor again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” assistance request to finance external consultations advised by the Espace Santé HES-SO Genève team of nurses. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form.
Motor and/or sensory processing disorders
As a student, it is your responsibility to check that the elements requested below appear in the documents submitted with your application. A simple certificate mentioning the disorder is not considered an admissible document.
Regarding motor and/or sensory processing disorders, if you have received the OIC 405 decision for medical measures to be granted from Assurance Invalidité CH (Swiss Disability Insurance) (or a foreign organisation deemed equivalent), this is considered a valid document. If this is not the case, you must provide a comprehensive assessment from a specialist doctor.
The comprehensive assessment must include:
- Date of the initial diagnosis
- Description of the limitations and impact on your studies
- Detailed, justified recommendations for the proposed adjustments (e.g. strategy, assistance, support)
- If additional time is recommended for exams, the proportion should be specified. The maximum that can be granted is 33% additional time. In the absence of specific information, 15% additional time will be applied.
If you do not have the required documents or if they do not meet the above conditions, we invite you to contact your specialist doctor again.
If you are not under the care of a specialist, contact Espace Santé HES-SO Genève to to be referred free of charge to the healthcare network for rapid care.
In the event of financial difficulty, you can submit a one-off “health access support” assistance request to finance external consultations advised by the Espace Santé HES-SO Genève team of nurses. Check the grant conditions, submission deadlines and list of mandatory documents to provide before submitting your request via the University of Geneva's online form.