Special Learning Needs

Assistance to students with special learning needs (disability or learning disability)

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences strives to ensure an open and friendly study environment for all students with special learning needs. The goal of the University is to create conditions in which students can study and feel as a part of the University community. In order to achieve the above goals, the focus is on the individual needs of the student, depending on the nature of the student’s health disorder and his/her capabilities.  

WHO ARE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS?

Students with special learning needs are students who have:

(a) a disability: developmental, sensory, physical or other congenital or acquired disorders;

(b) learning, behavioral, emotional, speech and speaking disorders.

Special learning needs shall be documented by a specialist.

COORDINATING COMMISSION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Coordinating Commission for Students with Disabilities coordinates the study process of students with special learning needs. If questions about assistance in the study process arise, students with special learning needs should contact a member of the Commission representing the faculty where the student studies. President of the Commission – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rūta Butkevičienė.

Composition of the LSMU Coordinating Commission for Students with Disability:

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE STUDY PROCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS

The Study Regulation of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences stipulates that students may report for work in alternative ways if they have a disability due to which they cannot report in accordance with the established procedure, and the alternative report method ensures that study results are achieved.

LSMU Rector’s Order No. 2021-V-0299 of 26 May 2021 approved the Procedure for Submitting Documents and Reporting by LSMU Students with Special Learning Needs in Alternative Ways. Under this Procedure, students with special learning needs, depending on the nature of the special need, may be able to report about the assessments provided in the module (subject) in alternative ways, adapting the study environment to individual needs, presentation of material, font size of assessment tasks, extending the time of the report, etc.

WHAT DO I NEED TO OBTAIN AN ALTERNATIVE REPORT AUTHORIZATION?

Students shall submit an electronic application form for an alternative report method within seven calendar days from the beginning of the academic year, as well as documents confirming special learning needs to the Dean’s Office where they study. Residents shall submit such documents to the Center for Postgraduate Studies, doctoral students to the Research Center. Students studying in a foreign language shall submit not only the documents, but also a translation of these documents into English by a professional translator if the documents are not submitted in Lithuanian and English. Student data and submitted documents are confidential. Applications submitted by students shall be examined by responsible persons appointed by the Dean’s Office, who assess the suitability of the documents for allowing an alternative method of report to the student. These staff may invite the student for an interview to clarify the information or discuss an alternative report method. The final decision allowing an alternative report method is made by the Dean of the faculty. A student with special learning needs shall inform the subject teacher about the alternative assessment methods for him/her at the beginning of the subject studies but not later than five working days before the first assessment.

ALTERNATIVE REPORT METHODS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS

Each person’s special learning needs are individual, so individual alternative assessment methods are applied in each case. Alternative assessment methods, which are of a recommendatory nature and can be selected according to the emerging needs of a particular student, are presented in Appendix 1 to the Procedure for Submission of Documents and Assessment by Alternative Methods for LSMU Students with Special Educational Needs.

ERASMUS+ FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS

LSMU students with special needs participating in Erasmus+ mobility activities can receive additional financial support. Support may be granted for:

● additional costs for means and/or services, depending on the nature of the illness and/or disability. The need for these costs shall be substantiated by medical records, i.e., the need for means and or services for which additional support is requested shall be confirmed by an extract from medical documents issued by a doctor;

● living and travel expenses of the accompanying person, if justified.

More information (in Lithuanian).

For detailed information, please contact:

Erasmus+ studies: Eglė Vizbaraitė, egle.vizbaraite@lsmuni.lt

Erasmus+ practice: Brigita Vinikaitytė, brigita.vinikaityte@lsmu.lt

ADAPTATION OF BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE DISABLED

The accessibility of the physical environment for the disabled is improving every year at the University. Many LSMU buildings are suitable for the disabled. New buildings are built in accordance with the principle of universal design, and those renovated are adapted for the disabled by installing elevators, ramps, stair climbers, emergency calls, etc. LSMU used the project funds of the EU Structural Funds Investment Operational Program for 2014–2020 not only to ensure the accessibility of education for students with special needs but also to improve the study conditions and quality for students with disabilities. Equipment and furniture are purchased for the installation of specialized workplaces for students with disabilities; the infrastructure is adapted. The Bellman Audio Domino Pro system purchased for the LSMU library is intended for people with hearing impairments. The University purchased software JAWS 14 for Windows and WinTalkerVoice1.6 JAWS 14 for Windows, which analyzes information on the screen and passes it to a speech synthesizer that converts text to audio. The library at the Veterinary Academy is adapted and has equipment for students with special needs: specialized desks, video magnifier Freedom Scientific Topaz XL HD, audio equipment Freedom Scientific SARA CE (analyzing information on the screen and transmitting it to a speech synthesizer that converts text to Lithuanian and English languages) and the Humanware Brailliant Braille display with voice over function, which provides on-screen audio. More and more dormitories are adapted for students with mobility and other disabilities, so students have the opportunity to stay in dormitory rooms adapted for them.

The LSMU Library and Information Center is adapted for students with special needs: hearing, movement disabilities, low vision, etc. The library is well equipped for studies of such persons: there are special desks, a video magnifier TOPAZ XL HD (a tool that allows one to choose the document size and its position on the screen), audio equipment, BELLMAN AUDIO DOMINO PRO (helps to understand the language in difficult for hearing situations; the audio is converted to digital data; the language is highlighted, the background noise is eliminated), SARA CE (a tool that analyzes information on the screen and transmits it to a synthesizer that renders text into audio in Lithuanian and English), JAWS and WinTalker Voice software that analyzes information on the screen and transmits it by means of a language synthesizer that converts text to audio, Humanware Brailliant Braille symbol panel with the VoiceOver function. The VoiceOver program transmits the information on the computer screen out loud in Lithuanian.  

LSMU ensures physical environment accessibility and the possibility to use various compensatory technical means for students with mobility, vision, or hearing disabilities at various infrastructure levels: elevators are installed in newly constructed/renovated buildings; in old construction buildings (with cultural heritage status), s-max D135 stair climbers with universal wheelchair lock, wide folding ramps, specialized tables (Height Adjustable Tables – HA800 – Sit to Stand) have been purchased; suitable entrances, toilets, parking lots are installed, classrooms for studies and household rooms are adapted, special marking for the blind is executed, etc.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP AT THE LITHUANIAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

At the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, students can get free psychological help:

● individual psychological consultations;

● participate in psychological groups;

● participate in training or preventive events instructed by psychologists.

In view of the announcement of quarantine in Lithuania and in order to ensure maximum security, consultations are carried out remotely. We invite you to register for individual consultations online, choosing the convenient time for you.

Registration for remote consultation (MS Teams program is used for audio and video support): https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/LSMU2@lsmuni.lt/bookings/

More information about individual psychological consultations for LSMU students, groups and other important information: https://archyvas.lsmu.lt/en/activities/degree-studies/student-support/psychological-counselling2/