The Dresden Academy of Fine Arts (HfBK Dresden) is committed to promoting inclusion, equal opportunities, and accessibility in higher education. Students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other impairments are supported through appropriate measures to ensure their full and equal participation in academic life.
The aim is to prevent or compensate for disadvantages that may arise during studies or examinations. Students can access advisory and support services and, if they meet the relevant requirements, may also apply for reasonable accommodations.
Who is eligible for support?
Advisory services and support are generally available to all prospective students and enrolled students whose studies are affected by a disability, chronic illness, or another impairment that makes studying more difficult. This includes, in particular, students with:
- Mobility impairments (e.g. physical disabilities, use of a wheelchair or mobility aids)
- Visual impairments (e.g. low vision or blindness)
- Hearing impairments (e.g. hearing loss or deafness)
- Speech impairments (e.g. speech disorders or limitations in verbal communication)
- Mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, or trauma-related disorders)
- Chronic illnesses (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, or epilepsy)
- Dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other specific learning difficulties
- Sudden or temporary medical conditions that may have a significant short-term impact on academic studies (e.g. following an accident or surgery)
Important: An impairment does not need to be visible in order to be recognised. Many conditions are not immediately apparent but can nevertheless have a substantial impact on a student's academic experience and everyday study life.
Legal Framework
- German Basic Law (Article 3, Paragraph 3) – No person may be disadvantaged because of a disability.
- Framework Act for Higher Education (HRG) – Requires higher education institutions to take into account the needs of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
- Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSG) – Regulates equal opportunities and support for students with disabilities and impairments at the state level.
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) – Obliges Germany to remove barriers within the education system and to ensure inclusive education.
Examination Regulations of the respective degree programmes; further information can be found here.
Topics for Advice and Support
- Assessment of whether an impairment is relevant to academic studies
- Options for reasonable accommodations in studies and examinations
- Advice on individual support measures
- Assistive technologies and support services
- Accessibility of courses, buildings, and study materials
- Managing periods of illness, therapy, or rehabilitation
- Leave of absence from studies and extensions of deadlines
Student Affairs Office
The Student Affairs Office can serve as an initial point of contact for prospective students and students with disabilities or other impairments. In particular, students are encouraged to consult the office regarding individual study planning and questions or difficulties related to the general organisation of their studies.
For enrolled students:
During the open consultation hours, please see the available dates
Alternatively, you can contact us by email at: referat-sta@hfbk-dresden.de
For prospective students:
Please send us an email to arrange an appointment.
Location: Güntzstraße 34, Room 217
Representative for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses
The Representative supports prospective and current students with questions and challenges that may arise before or during their studies as a result of disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other impairments. If you have questions regarding accessibility, reasonable accommodations, or if you would simply like to seek advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sven Barnick
Phone: +49 351 4402-2669
E-Mail: beratung-inklusion@hfbk-dresden.de
Personal Consultation:
Please arrange an appointment in advance by phone or email.
Location: Brühlsche Terrasse / Archive and Art Collection (Kustodie)
What are Reasonable Accommodations?
Reasonable accommodations are intended to ensure that students with disabilities or chronic illnesses are able to complete their studies and examinations under fair and equitable conditions. The aim is to compensate for existing disadvantages caused by an impairment without altering the academic standards or learning outcomes required.
Reasonable accommodations do not constitute preferential treatment. Rather, they are individually tailored measures designed to offset disadvantages or challenges resulting from a disability or health condition. Their purpose is to ensure equal opportunities in higher education.
Reasonable accommodations may be granted not only for examinations and assessments, but also for the organisation and conduct of studies more generally. This can include adjustments related to academic requirements, study conditions, or participation in university activities.
Examinations
- Extended time for written examinations or coursework assignments
- Scheduled breaks during examinations
- Alternative forms of assessment (e.g. oral instead of written examinations)
- Modifications to practical examinations
- Examination rooms with special equipment and/or a separate examination room
- Non-consideration of spelling errors
Studies and Courses
- Provision of accessible study materials
- Preferred seating arrangements or technical equipment (e.g. FM systems, screen readers)
- Individual scheduling arrangements to accommodate therapy sessions or medical treatment
- Modification of attendance requirements
Course of Study
- Extension of deadlines for projects and final theses; non-consideration of spelling errors
- Adjustments to the study plan
- Exemption from certain deadlines due to illness
Important: The measures listed above are intended as examples only. The specific accommodations that may be granted must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and tailored to the individual circumstances of the student.
