Do you require specific adaptations for teaching, examinations, or literature? For example, extended time for written exams, oral responses, large print, writing assistance, or receiving presentations and teaching materials in digital format. Below, you can find out which options are available to you and what your obligations are.
The proposal for reasonable accommodation is in accordance with various documents and legal acts (the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia, the Convention and Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Plan for the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities for the Period 2021–2027, with the aim of equalising study opportunities for students with disabilities and other documented difficulties. The need to adapt the academic environment arises from interaction with environmental factors such as the infrastructure of university components, methods of knowledge assessment, and organisation of the teaching process.
Examples of teaching adaptations may include:
- adaptation of exam literature,
- advance provision of presentations and teaching materials in digital format,
- use of adapted equipment during lectures (e.g. computers with a built-in screen reader and speech unit),
- support from another person (assistant) for note- taking and following lectures (e.g. peer support),
- extended deadlines for submitting seminar and other papers,
- audio recording of lectures (with prior agreement from the teacher),
- alternative forms of fulfilling requirements (e.g. writing a seminar paper, participation in a project) in case of inability to attend classes or meet obligations,
- individual exam dates.
Examples of exam accommodations include:
- extended exam writing time (up to twice as long as other students),
- oral instead of written knowledge tests, and vice versa (in accordance with the learning outcomes of the subject),
- taking exams in a separate room,
- use of adapted equipment (e.g. computers with a built-in screen reader and speech unit) during assessments,
- graphic adaptation of exam materials (e.g. enlarged font, increased spacing),
- support from another person (peer support) for writing answers by dictation.
Submitting a request for academic environment adjustment
If you have a documented disability and require support, you have the right to individually adjusted methods for attending classes, taking exams, and accessing adapted literature. To exercise this right, contact the coordinator for students with disabilities at your faculty or the University Counselling Centre.
After contacting the coordinator and/or the Centre, you must attend individual counselling at the Office and submit relevant documentation substantiating your need for adjustment (for example, a certificate from a school or university doctor, a decision on the adjustment of examination methods at state matriculation exams, a decision on an individualised approach during previous education, findings and opinions from an expert body, or a speech therapist’s report).
Once you have completed the Application form, you will be given an appointment for individual counselling. Academic Accommodations Counselling will issue a Recommendation for the Adjustment of the Academic Environment, which is sent to the coordinator for students with disabilities at your faculty and remains valid until the end of your studies, unless otherwise specified. With the approved Recommendation for the Adjustment of the Academic Environment, you are also required to inform your subject teachers about the approved adjustments, especially before any assessments.
The forms and types of adjustment depend on your individual needs and the requirements of your study programme (defined learning outcomes), which cannot be lowered. The subject teacher decides on this.
It is important to agree with your subject teacher on the implementation of possible adjustments in a timely manner. It is recommended to contact the teacher at least one week before the exam or interview, and it is advisable to inform the teacher about your needs during the first lecture while observing the class.
Procedure for approving academic environment adjustments
To ensure students receive the necessary support, Academic Accommodations Counselling, based on the submitted documentation and an interview with the student, sends the relevant faculty a request to consider recommendations for academic environment adjustments. These usually include adjustments to the teaching process, materials, and assessment methods, but may also involve additional procedures depending on the student’s specific needs.
Additional procedures are defined in the Protocol for the Care and Monitoring of Students with Health Difficulties, Disabilities and Chronic Diseases.
Academic Accommodations Counselling submits the request to the coordinators for students with disabilities at the relevant faculties without supporting documentation, as it has already been reviewed and accepted by the Academic Accommodations Counselling expert team. The coordinator then reports to Academic Accommodations Counselling on the (non-)acceptance of the proposed adjustments and, if accepted, forwards them to the subject teachers and informs the Office. In the event of non-acceptance, Academic Accommodations Counselling must provide a written explanation of its decision. Academic Accommodations Counselling informs the student of the outcome within eight days of receiving feedback from the faculty coordinator. The student has the right to appeal to the faculty.
Literature adaptation
Literature adaptation is provided as part of a project implemented by the Association “Zamisli” in partnership with the University of Rijeka, with financial support from the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth.
Students who require adapted literature can apply via the Application form or contact us at prilagodbe@uniri.hr or by phone on 051 265 844.