Disability and impairment

The definition of disability according to the Act on Equal Opportunities of Persons with Disabilities, in German “Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz” (BGG): Persons are considered to have a disability if it is highly probable that their physical or intellectual ability or mental health will deviate from that which is generally expected for their age for a period of more than six months, thereby affecting their ability to participate in society.

The definition in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes it clear that barriers in infrastructure or society make it difficult for people with disabilities to fully participate: “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others” (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 1). In addition to the term disability, the term impairment can be used to refer to other issues such as chronic illnesses that can also have a negative effect on access to education or daily life at work or university. Therefore, FAU offers advice and assistance for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.