Disability and Higher Education in Switzerland

In accordance with article 8 of the Federal Constitution of 1999, it is illegal to discriminate against anyone on the grounds of a physical or mental disability. Based on article 8 of the Federal Constitution, the Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities (DDA) was developed and entered into force on 1st January 2004. The Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities has been put into concrete terms in different ordinances at federal and cantonal level. Based on the social model of disability, the two most important terms for the equality of people with disability „people with disability“ and „discrimination“ are defined in the Federal Act on the Elimination of discrimination against people with disability (DDA).

The link to the Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disability DDA in German and in French.

Until now, for higher education, there is no authority or organisation at national level in Switzerland which oversees “studying with a disability”. That is why the situation can be very different according to the higher Education institution you look at. This is also true for the accessibility of buildings, technical and electronic infrastructure and the content of the courses, as well as the availability of support for students with disability. On the website www.uniability.ch you will find information regarding support for students with a disability. Unfortunately this site is only available in German and only lists some of the higher Education institutions in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. If you would like information on support for students with a disability in the higher education institutions located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, please visit the homepages of the institutions. The support for students with a disability is free for students and interested persons.

The financial support granted for students with or without a disability varies from one institution of higher education to another. For further information, please contact „International offices“. Disability related costs for studying in Switzerland are normally covered by the insurance of the student’s home country. Therefore, we recommend that you check early  with the insurance or service of your home country.