FAQ Disability Support
Are you a (prospective) student at Maastricht University (UM) and do you have a physical, psychological and/or sensory disability, a chronic illness or another condition such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism or Crohn's disease? If so, you can apply for support or facilities through Disability Support. You may have questions about this: below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about studying with a disability or chronic illness (whether visible or not).
Is your question not listed here? Please contact Disability Support.
How can I apply for facilities?
- You can indicate which facilities you need and send your medical or dyslexia statement incl. psychodiagnostic report (scan of the original in colour) to Disability Support.
- Disability Support checks whether your application is complete and draws up an Advice Allocation of Facilities (ATV). The facilities must be necessary and suitable and the documents must be in order.
- The ATV (advice) is sent to the examination board, study advisor and the student. This advice is not binding.
- The examination board makes the final decision and communicates it in writing to the student and to Disability Support. The decision does not contain a diagnosis. Please read the decision carefully for further instructions.
- The faculty is responsible for ensuring that the approved facilities are implemented.
You can contact Disability Support by email, phone or on site.
More information about Disability Support
What facilities are possible?
Which facilities are possible depends on your specific situation. The facilities must be effective, i.e. suitable and necessary. The most common facilities are:
- Extra exam time for written (digital) exams of 30 minutes or 25 per cent up to a maximum of 30 minutes
- Smaller exam room
How can I contact Disability Support
You can contact us at:
E-mail: disability@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Phone: +31 (0)43 38 85 272 (on working days between 11:00 and 13:00)
Office: Walk-in consultations without appointment at the Student Services Centre (SSC), Bonnefantenstraat 2, room B0.01 (on working days between 11:00 and 13:00).
Schedule meeting: You can contact Disability Support to schedule a (online) meeting.
What does the medical or dyslexia statement need to meet?
The medical statement must include the student's name, date, diagnosis, signature of the doctor or therapist (BIG registered for Dutch doctors). In addition, the statement must still be valid. It must not be from an alternative therapist.
The dyslexia statement must be complete including a psychodiagnostic examination report.
The statement must be in Dutch or English. A non-Dutch medical statement will only be accepted if an official English translation issued by a sworn translator is attached. German-language statements will also be accepted if fully understood.
In some situations, you do not need to have your entire examination report translated. If in doubt, contact Disability Support.
How do I get a medical statement?
You can ask your GP, specialist or psychologist to prepare a signed letter stating the diagnosis. You then forward this letter to Disability Support yourself. You are also entitled to a copy of your own medical records. You then only need to forward the relevant passages, but make sure that your name is clearly stated. If necessary, you can also go to another independent GP to request a medical statement.
How do I find a general practitioner (GP)?
For more information, check huisartsenpost (HAP) Maastricht and Zorgkaart Nederland.
Register with a GP or GP practice near you as soon as you can. Not all GPs accept new patients all the time. To register, make an appointment with the GP/practice and provide them with your details. If you do not yet have a GP in Maastricht or surroundings, check this website for a list of the nearest GP/practice with contact details or use the map function on mymaastricht.nl. Once you have made the appointment, don't forget to bring your identity card and health insurance details.
How do I get medication?
Doctors, dentists and midwives can write prescriptions for medicines.
Who is allowed to prescribe medication?
You can also request an international prescription from your current doctor.
I suspect I have a disability. What can I do?
Discuss your symptoms with a GP. He or she can refer you for further investigation if necessary. If you have a referral from your GP for further diagnosis, you may be able to make use of temporary facilities. Contact Disability Support for this.
How does the Dutch healthcare system work?
The GP is your first point of contact in case of health complaints.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Your information is treated confidentially. Only Disability Support staff can see your (medical) details. However, the diagnosis is made known to the examination committee and the study advisor. The exam coordinators only see what facilities you need so they can arrange them.
Will there be a note on my diploma that I have a disability?
No, there will be no endorsement on your diploma.