Chronic or mental illness, partial performance disorders such as dyslexia, autism, or other long-term impairments are also forms of disabilities - as are sensory and movement impairments.

For 11% of students, studying is made more difficult as a result of physical or health impairments - according to the results of the 21st Social Survey of the German Student Union (DSW). This group includes in particular students with:

• Mobility impairments
• Visual impairments
• Hearing impairments
• Speech impairments
• Mental illnesses (e.g. eating disorders, depression)
• Chronic diseases (e.g. rheumatism, Crohn's disease or diabetes)
• Dyslexia and other partial performance disorders
• Autism and AD(H)S

Special situation of students with non-perceptible impairments

Only 4% of affected students have an impairment that is immediately noticeable. Almost two thirds of the disabilities at our universities, on the other hand, remain unnoticed unless students themselves point them out. At least, this is the self-reporting of students who participated in a DSW study on the situation of students with disabilities and chronic illnesses in the summer semester of 2011.

Uncertainties among teachers, advisors and students

Chronic and mental illnesses as well as partial performance disorders such as dyslexia, however, have no less of an impact on studies than physical and sensory impairments. But just differently. Recognizing this and acknowledging the consequences is often not easy for teachers, advisors and fellow students. Nor, by the way, for those affected, as the results of the study "Studying with Impairments" show.

Students do without counseling and rights

Most of the students with a non-visible impairment do not perceive themselves as "disabled", although they are according to the legal definition. This has consequences: Many do not know that they are entitled to disadvantage compensation and do not feel addressed by existing counseling services. Others, especially in an environment where performance and elitism play a special role, do not want to come out as impaired, as a person with special needs, as "disabled". They prefer to waive their rights - often to their own disadvantage.

Definitions of disability

The basis for the fact that, for example, partial performance disorders, mental and chronic illnesses are also included under the term disability are the definitions according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Book 9 of the Social Code.