Definition of the target groups

Article 37 of Organic Law on the University System (LOSU) establishes that universities must promote inclusive and accessible curricular structures for university education. In particular, they must adopt positive action measures so that students with disabilities can enjoy an inclusive, accessible and adaptable university education, on equal terms with the rest of the student body.

Universities shall promote access to university studies for people with intellectual disabilities as well as on other grounds of disability through the promotion of their own studies adapted to the students' abilities. In addition, regarding the award of grants and financial support, socio-economic criteria shall be taken into account and special attention shall be paid to:

• disability and its support needs;

• national and ethnic origin;

• social circumstances;

• family responsibilities;

• situations of gender-based violence.

Specific support measures

Financial support for students

Article 32 of the LOSU stipulates that the government and the autonomous communities, as well as the universities themselves, shall implement a policy of grants and study aids in order to ensure that no one is excluded from university studies due to financial reasons. In the case of public universities, they shall establish modalities for partial or total exemption from the payment of public fees for the provision of academic services. In all cases, special attention shall be paid to people with disabilities and their support needs, national and ethnic origin, social circumstances, family responsibilities, victims of gender violence and people with dependency and disabilities, thus guaranteeing their access to and continuation of university studies.

The Ministry of Sicence, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) and the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sport (MEFD) make joint decisions on the design, planning and management of the policy on grants and study aids.

Within its area of competence, the MEFD regulates the award of general grants and financial support. The MEFD invests financial resources in these grants, a part of which is intended for support for students with special educational needs, as well as for compensating universities regarding the public prices for the academic services corresponding to students who are grant holders and students of the National University for Distance Education (UNED) with any disability.

Special grants for disabled university students are characterised by the following:

• the possibility of reducing the number of credits in which they enrol in the case of university students with a degree of legally recognised disability of 65% or more;
• if students enrol in all the credits, the fixed amounts of the corresponding grants will be increased by a 50%.

Organisational options and alternative structures

• Distance university education: provided by UNED, a public university in Spain, whose goal is to facilitate the access to studies and their continuity to those people who cannot regularly attend university due to work, economic, place of residence or any other reason.
• Distance advanced vocational training: the MEFD has created the platform Distance Vocational Education and Training, offering programmes provided by the autonomous communities online, in a blended format, or through the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, with the purpose of familiarising citizens with vocational training, as well as facilitating information on these studies and giving access to online training.

Specific measures for students with disabilities

Article 37 of the LOSU, on equity and non-discrimination, establishes that universities must encourage the curricular structures of university education to be inclusive and accessible. In particular, they shall adopt positive action measures so that students with disabilities can enjoy an inclusive, accessible and adaptable university education, on equal terms with the rest of the student body, making reasonable adjustments, both curricular and methodological, to teaching materials, teaching methods and the assessment system. Universities shall also promote access to university studies for people with intellectual disabilities as well as on other grounds of disability through the promotion of their own studies adapted to the students' abilities.

Article 12 of Royal Decree 1791/2010, which approves the University Student Statute, underlines that universities must establish the necessary resources and adaptations so that students with disabilities can exercise their rights on equal conditions as the rest, without it leading to a reduction in the required academic level.

Regarding access and admission procedures, article 15 of the University Student Statute, establishes that the specific needs of these people must be taken into account,in order to ensure equal opportunities and their full integration into university. They must guarantee the accessibility of spaces and buildings, including virtual spaces, and must make available to students with disabilities the material, human and technical resources to ensure equal opportunities and their full integration into the university community.

Administrations and universities, in accordance with article18 of the University Student Statute, shall promote the participation of students with disabilities in national and international mobility programmes, establishing the relevant quotas, guaranteeing sufficient funding in each case, as well as information and cooperation systems between the units that provide care for these students.

According to article 22 of the University Student Statute, the establishment of permanent academic supervision programmes, so that students with disabilities can have a tutor throughout their studies, will be promoted.

As for evaluations, article 26 of the University Student Statute establishes that university institutions and departments must make the necessary methodological, time and space adjustments. 

The communication of exam results an the premises aimed at exam revision must be accessible for students with disabilities. Regarding revisions with the professor or examination board, these must be adapted to the specific needs of students with disabilities. Departments, under the coordination and supervision of the relevant unit in each university, will implement the necessary methodological adjustments and, where appropriate, establish specific revision procedures tailored to their needs.

Concerning the development of external work placements, each university will promote the establishment of agreements with companies and institutions. Such companies will be encouraged to implement the necessary adaptations for the accessibility of trainee disabled students.

The university, as a collective project, must encourage the participation of all the groups that form part of it, facilitating access and participation for disabled students. Likewise, it will promote physical activity and sports programmes for students with disabilities, providing the necessary means and resources and adapting the facilities accordingly.

Univiersities will promote the participation of disabled students in development cooperation and social participation projects, as well as the creation of Assitance Services aimed at the university community with disabilities, through the establishment of a structure that enables the provision of the necessary services for this group.

Universities will promote and advocate for the creation and maintenance of adapted transport services for students with motor disabilities and/or with reduced mobility.

The facilities of university colleges and residences must also be accessible for people with disabilities.