We do our best to find housing for students with special needs. AU does not, however, have rooms specially designed for wheelchair users. Some dorms have elevators and wheelchair-accessible rooms, but kitchens may not be fitted to accommodate wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities. Likewise, laundry rooms and other common facilities may not be accessible for a wheelchair user.
Nominating partners are advised to send an email to housing@au.dk to explain the particular need of the student as early in the process as possible.
Exchange students will be asked to describe their special needs in relation to housing as part of the incoming exchange application process.
Almost all public transportation in Aarhus is accessible for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities.
Trains
In general all trains are wheelchair accessible. All DSB stations are equipped with lifts for wheelchairs, with a maximum weight of 300 kg. Assistance is available daily from 6AM to 12PM on all DSB Stations by contacting DSB no later than 12 hours before departure/arrival.
To request assistance, call +45 70131419 or book online
Not all Arriva trains are accessible to wheelchairs, and not all stations offer assistance to wheelchair users. For more information on the service on different stations, contact Arriva by phone +45 70 80 44 44 daily from 6.00 PM to 12.00 AM or on the Arriva website. Assistance must be booked no later than 12 hours before departure/arrival.
All Light Rail train are accessible from all platforms. Access is directly into the railcar.
The yellow busses in Aarhus are wheelchair accessible, mostly without using a lift. Few of the busses are equipped with a lift, and in those busses, the driver will assist you.
We do not recommend that wheelchair users take the blue busses in Aarhus. Almost none are wheelchair accessible for wheelchairs or equipped with a lift. The driver will not be able to assist you.
The Taxi fleet in Aarhus comprises disability vehicles, which are adapted to transport wheelchair users. For an extra fee, disability vehicles can bring along a stair climber to assist wheelchair users up and down straight staircases.
The price for using the disability vehicles is 20% higher than a normal taxi. The taximeter will start when the driver starts assisting the passenger.
Generally, few disability vehicle are available between 6.30 – 9.30 AM and 2 – 4 PM. You are advised to avoid these times, and to book a disability vehicle minimum two weeks ahead. The phone number to book is +45 89484848
Aarhus University is able to provide a limited amount of technical aids to students. Below you’ll find some of the things we can offer:
Aarhus University does not provide any other assistive technology for exchange students, but recommends that exchange students with disabilities bring all the assistive hardware and software that they use for daily academic tasks.
Teaching practices at AU are not adapted to students with special needs, which means that all students engage in exactly the same study programmes and activities.
If you suffer from physical or psychological impairments such as dyslexia, mental disorders, neurological disorders, physical disabilities, visual difficulties or hearing difficulties, you may apply to your departmental Board of Studies for permission to take an exam under special conditions. You may, for example, apply for extra time or for permission to use special aids in the exam.
To be granted special conditions, you are normally required to document your special need; e.g. via a doctor’s certificate or a statement from a psychologist. This documentation is a significant requirement, but does not guarantee you permission to take the exam on special conditions. Ultimately, the Board of Studies decides whether you require special exam conditions in order to be on an equal level with other students taking the same exam.
How to apply for a dispensation
Please note that the processing time for an application for dispensation may be up to eight weeks.
Students from universities in Europe and the Nordic countries may be eligible for a special needs/inclusion support grant from Erasmus+, Nordplus or Nordlys, depending on their home university.
A person with special needs is a participant whose individual physical, mental or health-related condition is such that his/her participation in the exchange would not be possible without extra financial support.
The grants for special needs are organised by your home university.
Please contact the Erasmus / Nordplus / Nordlys coordinator at your home university to find out if you are eligible for a special needs/inclusion support grant
In Denmark, services to university students with disabilities is provided by a national special educational support program (SPS). Unfortunately, exchange students are not covered by this program.
This means that you must pay for any special support services that you may need. Erasmus+, Nordplus, Nordlys or other local or national programmes in your home country may be able to offer financial assistance. Please see suggested costs for some of these services here.
The Special Educational Support (SPS) Unit at AU can help you identify relevant support services and facilitate contact to support service providers. For specific information, please write to SPS
Examples of special support services:
We recommend that students with special needs bring all assistive hardware and software required for daily tasks.
Healthcare
There are no on-campus healthcare services or healthcare centre. Exchange students who have received their temporary Danish civil registration number (CPR-number) have full access to comprehensive and free public health services: http://studerende.au.dk/en/internationalstudents/living-in-denmark/healthcare/
Study and welfare counsellors
Some faculties have Study and Welfare Counselors that offer on-campus guidance and counseling on issues related to your well-being as a student. It could be issues such as exam anxiety and stress related to your studies. All matters discussed with the counsellors are held in strict confidence.
Read more on the study portal for your specific study programme: https://studerende.au.dk/en
University Chaplains
Need to talk with someone?
You are always welcome to contact a chaplain for a talk – regardless of the kind of crisis you have in your life.
It could be about relationships, grief, worries, stress, finding your path, loneliness, or religious and spiritual issues.
You decide what you want to talk about during the session. The chaplain is bound to professional secrecy. The counselling offered by the chaplain is available to all students, regardless of religious beliefs, and free of charge. You can text, call or send an email to make an appointment.
https://studenterpraest-au.dk/counselling/
Finally, you may consider researching and contacting Danish or Aarhus-based organizations that provide support to people with your particular physical, mental or health-related condition.
