At www.hogeronderwijstoegankelijk.nl/en you will find an overview of possible facilities, for example in the area of testing or physical aids. This can help you get an overview of what you need to be able to follow your study. 

Are you already exploring the programme of your choice and do you have specific questions about possible facilities or support you will need to follow your course of study? If so, you can already contact the student counsellor. You can find their contact details at https://www.hogeronderwijstoegankelijk.nl/en/school/.

Check the route you should take for your question. This can vary from one educational institution to another. The student counsellor or study advisor can help you map out this route. Depending on your needs, you may have to contact:

• the examination board
• the study advisor
• the study career counsellor
• the UWV: for reimbursement of auditory or visual aids or special transport
• your local council: for questions about individual study grants

You can often contact a contact person by telephone or e-mail. You can prepare for the conversation by listing your answers to the following questions:

• What is the reason for contact?
• Brief explanation of circumstances.
• What is your request/what do you need?
• Why is this important to you?

The waiting time at the dean's office for an appointment can be long, sometimes more than a month. Be on time with your application. Some student advisors also work with emergency slots or walk-in consultations.

Do you have a deadline for your request, for example because of your BSA? Please indicate this in your e-mail (see example below), so that your contact person can respond in time.

Sometimes you will need documents to support your request, which you will then have to request from a healthcare provider or other party. Examples include:

• Look up/request a (recent) medical statement or letter from the care provider.
• Request an overview of provisions for the central exam (CSE) for secondary school (can be useful to supplement/clarify).
• Details of previous facilities to which you were entitled, for example from another educational institution or study programme.
• Please note: you don't have to share personal medical information (such as your course of disease, symptoms or discharge letter from the hospital) with your educational institution. Your doctor is not allowed to include it in a letter in connection with their professional secrecy. Therefore, ask your practitioner to confirm that you need an adjustment or facility.

Don't be frightened if your study advisor e-mails back in a casual manner, the advisor is also just a human being. Can you choose from several employees with the same job? Then it might be useful to choose a permanent study advisor, so that you can get to know each other and build up a relationship. If necessary, plan a follow-up appointment at the end of your appointment.

Did you make appointments with your contact person in a telephone conversation or during a live appointment? Then write them down and link them back to your contact person (see example e-mail below). If your contact person takes the initiative, all you have to do is check that the agreements are correct.

See the examples of emails you can send to your educational institution about your request for help.

Subject: Request for support/adaptation

Dear reader [or name, if you know it],

I would like to contact you with a request about [subject, e.g. examinations or internship support] at the [name of course, name of programme]. I was referred to you by the [study advisor, student counsellor, mentor, etc.]. Because of my [chronic illness, disability, personal circumstance, namely...] I need [a provision or adjustment] in order to follow my study programme. Can you request or arrange this facility for me? It is important for me to use this facility because [.. ].

Do you need any supporting documentation (for example a medical certificate from my doctor) to process my request? I hope to hear from you by [date] for [reason, e.g. BSA deadline].

Kind regards,

[name, possible student number]

Subject: Request for an appointment to discuss support possibilities for following my studies

Dear Reader [or name, if you know it],

I would like to contact you with a question about my studies [name of course, name of programme]. I am dealing with [chronic illness, disability, personal circumstance, namely...]. Because of this, I expect to encounter obstacles during my studies.

I would like to discuss possible solutions with you. Is this the right place for me? And if so, are you available for a (telephone) appointment next week? For example, on [date and time].

If you need any information or documentation beforehand, please let me know.

Kind regards,

[name, student number if any]

Subject: Feedback from our appointment dd

Dear [name],

Thank you for the conversation of [earlier this week/date]. We agreed to do the following: [indicate what agreements were made]. Do you have any additions to make?

I look forward to speaking to you again on [date of follow-up appointment].

Kind regards,

[name, possible student number]