“Because I was motivated, the school made adjustments so that I could follow the course together with the rest of the class.”
Your studies or your desire to study are likely an important part of your life. Your condition or disability may limit your educational opportunities. For example, you might attend special education due to your condition, or experience delays in your studies. It’s also possible that, because of your condition or illness, you have had to choose a lower level of education than you are actually capable of.
Internships can also be more challenging when trying to balance learning, working, and managing a condition. Not all fellow students or teachers may understand your situation. In this section, you will find all information related to pursuing education for people with a condition. You will also find options for adjustments that may be necessary to help you follow (further) education.
If you have a condition, it can be more challenging to participate in education. For example, the pace may be too fast, you might not be able to manage full school days, you may be absent due to medical appointments, or there may be periods when your health worsens. Fortunately, support and accommodations are often available to help you complete your education and obtain a diploma.
Inclusive and adapted education
In many countries, schools are expected to provide reasonable accommodations and support for students with a condition or disability. The aim is to enable as many students as possible to attend mainstream education. If more specialized support is needed, special education or tailored educational programs may be an option. Mainstream and specialized schools often work together to create the best possible learning environment for each student.
Support in communicating with your school
It can be difficult to discuss your needs and make arrangements with your school. In many countries, there are organizations and support services that can help with this process. They can support you, your parents or caregivers, and your teachers in finding suitable solutions.
There are various tools and accommodations available to help you complete secondary education.
Extra time for exams.
Adjusted schedule.
Laptop.
Speech software.
Class contact.
Outreach support.
Class contact
With a laptop and a special device, you can still participate in lessons! On the laptop, you can see the class and the teacher, while the special device allows the class to see you.
Outreach support
An outreach support worker helps with educational challenges from outside the school. The support worker is not part of your school staff.
TIP
Contact your mentor or academic advisor to arrange these accommodations and see what is possible for you. A medical certificate is often required.
Note: Extra time for exams must be arranged well in advance! This request may also need approval from the relevant educational authorities.
After completing your secondary education diploma, you can continue your studies in vocational education or higher education. Support and accommodations are also available at this level. Often, you will need to request these tools and support from multiple offices or organizations.
Knowing what changes when you turn 18
It’s important to understand what responsibilities and arrangements you need to take care of once you become an adult.
Support for students with a condition
As a student with a condition, it’s a good idea to speak with the student counselor or academic advisor at the start of your program. This way, if any issues arise during your studies, the school is already aware of your condition and can provide help more quickly. The student counselor can provide information, advice, guidance, or coaching. They can assist with creating a study plan or submitting requests to the examination board.
Available support
You can request support regarding regulations, accommodations, or help from a (personal) mentor. It’s important to know what types of support exist in higher education and where to apply for them.
The examination board of a college or university is responsible for the quality of tests and exams. The board decides whether you, as a student, meet the required level to continue in the program. The examination board of your program handles matters such as:
Postponement of binding study advice.
Exemption from attendance requirements.
Extra time for exams.
Spreading out exams over multiple days.
Separate exam rooms.
Digital tools (laptop).
Alternative exam formats.
Adjusted schedule.
Als je een aandoening hebt, kan het lastiger zijn om onderwijs te volgen. Het tempo kan bijvoorbeeld te hoog liggen, je kunt geen hele schooldagen volhouden, je bent veel afwezig door ziekenhuisbezoeken of je hebt periodes waarin het slechter met je gaat. Gelukkig is er ondersteuning mogelijk waardoor je toch je diploma kunt halen.
Most young people attend mainstream education. In mainstream schools, there are usually fewer built-in accommodations for students with a condition. Adjustments are possible, but you often need to request them yourself. It’s best to contact the school directly and ask what options they offer for students with a condition.
Examples of possible accommodations include:
Using the elevator instead of stairs (in many schools, students may only use the elevator for a valid reason).
Adjusted schedule, for example skipping gym class or starting lessons later in the day.
Two sets of textbooks—one for school and one for home—so you don’t have to carry them back and forth every day between locations.
More and more support is being arranged for students with an illness or disability at colleges and universities. For example, students may be allowed to take an extra year to complete their studies and can apply for an additional year of financial aid. Campuses are becoming increasingly accessible, and many schools have dedicated student counselors or contact persons. They are well-informed about all available options and can often provide excellent support.