Does everyone have the same conditions for study?

The Faculty of Science strives to ensure equal conditions for all students including those with a special needs (for more information, see cuni.cz/UK-60.html and natur.cuni.cz/fakulta/studium/agenda-bc-mgr/specialni-potreby;). The minimum standards provided for students and applicants with special needs at CU are specified in Rector’s Measure No. 28/2023.

Who qualifies as a student with special needs?

Rector’s Measure No. 23/2017 distinguishes between six groups of students with special needs: (a) eyesight impairment, (b) hearing impairment, (c) bodily and motion impairment, (d) specific learning disorders, (e) autistic spectrum disorders, and (f) other health difficulties.

Who to contact for support and help?

Support for students with special needs is provided through various entities that collaborate:

• Faculty contact – Dr. Dana Fialová (e-mail: dana.fialova@natur.cuni.cz, tel.: 221 951 397) and  PaedDr.Věra Schätzová (e-mail: vera.schatzova@natur.cuni.cz) 

• Faculty psychology advice service: natur.cuni.cz/fakulta/studium/specialni-potreby/psychologicka-poradna 

• FSc Department of Student Affairs – study officer Marie Vítková (e-mail: marie.vitkova@natur.cuni.cz, tel.: 221 951 158)

• Office for students with special needs as part of Centrum Carolina (e-mail: centrumcarolina@cuni.cz, tel.: 224 491 896, UK point, Celetná 13, Praha 1)

• Other special workplaces – contacts: https://centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CC-13.html

What to do to be regarded as a student with special needs?

First, you need to (1) get in touch with the Faculty’s contact person, (2) have current documentation on your own special needs (from a medical specialist, educational/psychology advice service, etc.) and (3) having consulted the Faculty’s contact person, sign informed consent indicating your status as a student with special needs and take a functional diagnosis (an interview with a CU expert; the output of the session should be a recommendation for teachers on how to approach the student and what methods to use in instruction and self-study), (4) submit to Ms. Vítková's study department: medical report/report from the educational-psychological counseling center, informed consent, functional diagnosis. (5) Provide the functional diagnosis to the contact person.

What services are available?

A detailed list of support services students with special needs can use is posted on the University website (centrumcarolina.cuni.cz/CC-25.html). The services are usually provided on the basis of recommendations stemming from the functional diagnosis and the student’s needs. Our students with special needs usually compensate with the help of:

• peers – student assistants who take notes at lectures for them, accompany them, interpret for them, and give them access to information

• professionals – sign language interpreters, transcribers, etc.

• teachers who can provide study material (earlier, in addition to standard material, or modified) allow the students to make a sound recording of the instruction, give students individual time, modify the form of exams to meet the student’s needs (oral/written test, modified time or font, lighting, etc.)

• study system – as most students apply to study according to their individual curricula

• free loaning of notebooks, tablets, Dictaphones, and readers from the Centrum Carolina - UK Point

• free copying and printing of study material using Faculty printers and copiers subject to the submission of a CU student card. The devices are available at:

Albertov 6

• Geography Library – B/W and coloured copier/printer/scanner

• Geological Library – colour copier/printer/scanner

Hlavova 8

• Library of Chemical Sciences – B/W and colour copier/printer/scanner

Viničná 7

• Biology Library – B/W copier/scanner and B/W printer

What special workplaces are used most often?

• Interpreting services offered by the Institute of Deaf Studies (ujkn.ff.cuni.cz/sluzby)

• Centre for sports activities for CU’s disabled students, providing special aids as well as organising interesting events and courses 

• Copying vital study texts and issuing ISIC cards free of charge with the “ZTP” card (first issue only) Information/Advice Centre

• The Media library of the Faculty of Arts of CU enables students with eyesight or hearing disabilities to study foreign languages, including individual instruction

What are the principles to be followed to apply the modification?

A student may use the study modification based on functional diagnosis if he/she informs the relevant teacher in time, i.e. a) immediately after registration among the SSP, b) at the beginning of each semester, c) before the examination period. He/she shall submit the functional diagnosis to the lecturer or may request the contact person to provide the information by email. Retroactive claims for benefits cannot be made.

Aids for female students

In the event of acute needs female students can collect a package of sanitary aids from Ms Vítková, Ms Červinková or Ms Trakslová. Students can pick the package up without a prior appointment during office hours, where they will receive, discreetly, the package subject to providing the password “jdu si vyzvednout balíček” (I am coming to pick up a package).

Diaper changing desks

• Hlavova 8: disabled persons’ restroom at the Chemistry Library, room 114K; disabled persons’ restroom on the 1st aboveground floor, room 146 

• Albertov 6: disabled persons’ restroom, first underground floor, room S37

• Viničná 7: Ground Floor South, disabled persons’ restroom

• Benátská 2: 1st mezzanine, rear section of the corridor towards B12 and B13 

• Botanical Garden – ladies’ restrooms

Information for students with special needs: cuni.cz/UK-60.html 

Student well-being and support at CU (YouTube): https://youtu.be/L12AJBVRUr8