Support for students with disabilities in Austria and overview on the framework and structure of the Austrian higher education system

Already within its federal constitution (Article 7, Amendment 1), Austria emphasizes the right of access to (Higher) education for all people – regardless of a possible disability – saying that:

„No one must be discriminated against because of a possible disability […] in any area of life”.

Following this and additional Austrian legislation („Bundes-Behinderten-Gleichstellungs-Gesetz“), post - secondary education is open for all formally qualified applicants (having a recognized general qualification for university entrance - „Matura“, „Reifezeugnis“).

Nevertheless, specific regulations may apply and additional qualifications may be in use. This issue has to be clarified during the early stages of planning, especially for private universities and universities for the arts / music and universities for applied sciences or academies.

Further information / weblinks (German unless indicated) for students with disabilities planning a stay in Austria:

• http://www.help.gv.at/Content.Node/132/Seite.1320000.html (German and English)
• http://info.tuwien.ac.at/uniability/ (German and English)
• http://www.bmwf.gv.at/wissenschaft/national/behinderte_studierende/ (German)
• http://www.studieren.at/articles/359/1/Studieren-mit-Behinderung/Seite1.html 
(German – article with additional information)
• http://www.salzburg.gv.at/buerger-service/ls-az/ls-sz/ls-studium/ls-studium-behinderung.htm

(German, with general information and specific information for students in Salzburg)

Please note: This list is not exhaustive.