Students with Disabilities

To access the services offered to students with disabilities, you must submit a valid diagnostic certification confirming your condition of disability or civil invalidity:

• Disability certification pursuant to Law 104/92 and subsequent amendments;
• Civil invalidity certification.

The documentation must be clear and complete, including all relevant information needed to understand your specific requirements.

If you have a disability and reside in a foreign country, in order to benefit from adjustments you must submit certification confirming your disability status, issued in your country of residence, accompanied by an official translation exclusively into Italian, legalized by the Italian diplomatic or consular authorities abroad or, for countries adhering to the Hague Convention of 1961, provided with an apostille issued by the competent national authority designated by each State.

When to submit the certification

The certification can be submitted at different stages of your academic path, depending on your needs:

• when registering for admission tests or initial knowledge assessments: you may upload the certification directly to the University’s online platforms. A dedicated University Committee will verify its validity and completeness;
• during enrolment: during the online enrolment procedure, you can upload the certification in the section Segreteria > Dichiarazione disabilità / DSA of the "Student Career Management" portal. At this stage, it is strongly recommended to contact Unifi Include for an initial informational and guidance meeting.
• during the academic year: if you have not submitted the documentation during admission or enrolment, you may do so at any time during your academic career. In this case as well, we recommend booking an appointment with Unifi Include for an introductory meeting.

Declaring your disability is voluntary. However, if you wish to benefit from fee exemptions or reductions provided in the “Study Programme Guide” and from compensatory measures and support services, it is essential that the certification has been formally submitted.

Personal data are processed in compliance with current data protection regulations (GDPR, EU Regulation 2016/679), and no information regarding disability or SLD will be included in the final degree certificate.

The Service offers personalized guidance to identify, together with you, the most suitable adjustments and support measures for your needs. After an initial meeting and evaluation of your documentation, a tailored plan will be defined, taking into account your characteristics, the organization of teaching activities, and your overall academic path.

Adjustments may include, for example:

• technological tools (e.g. OCR scanners, microphones and recorders, video magnifiers);
• teaching materials in digital or alternative formats;
• specific aids such as talking calculators;
• personalized support for attendance, study, and assessments.

Adjustments are defined taking into account the specific study programme and individual needs. Specific measures are available for:

• motor disabilities
• visual disabilities
• hearing disabilities (with the possibility of sign language interpreting/communication assistants)
• neurological disabilities
• temporary disabilities

Each request is assessed together with you. If it is not possible to accommodate it in the proposed way, we will help you identify the most suitable solution, taking into account the characteristics of the teaching activity or the specific situation.

The tutoring service is structured into different types of support, designed to assist you across the various aspects of university life.

Peer tutor

You may be supported by a student tutor who can assist you with guidance and orientation activities, for example:

• identifying locations, classrooms, and offices and understanding their functions;
• support in dealing with the Student Administration Office or other University services;
• retrieving materials and texts;
• practical study support (note-taking, attending office hours with lecturers, using the library and digital resources such as institutional email, databases, and learning platforms).

The peer tutor represents a concrete point of reference to facilitate integration and the management of daily activities.

Specialized tutor

In situations requiring more structured and continuous support, the Service may provide a specialized tutor.

This is a professional with specific expertise, activated in the presence of complex educational needs that require a personalized and intensive approach, particularly in cases involving sensory impairments or conditions significantly affecting study autonomy.

The activation and structure of the tutoring (number of hours and activities) are defined together with the student, based on the documentation submitted and the needs identified during the meeting.

If you need specific arrangements during classes, you can discuss them directly with your lecturers or request support from the Service.

Depending on your situation, you may request, for example:

• authorization to record lectures;
• access to teaching materials or slides in advance or after the course;
• a reserved seat in the classroom;
• support from a tutor.

Each measure is agreed upon taking into account your needs and the organization of teaching activities.

Communication with lecturers is normally managed independently by the student.

If necessary, the Service can support you in facilitating communication and defining appropriate adjustments. Support can be provided in different ways, depending on your preference and the situation:

• you may contact the lecturer directly, copying the Service and indicating that you are supported by Unifi Include;
• the Service may contact the lecturer to present your situation and facilitate discussion;
• you may be accompanied by a tutor to meetings with the lecturer.

The aim is to promote a constructive and respectful dialogue, while supporting your active role in your academic journey.

If you have a visual, perceptual, or reading disability, you may request:

• texts in digital format (through the Service or participating publishers);
• digital transcription of handouts or parts of texts;
• scanning of materials with the possibility of choosing the most suitable format.

The Service will support you in identifying the most effective way to facilitate access to learning materials.

In the Library

To ensure access to the resources and materials of the University Libraries, dedicated services and workstations are available for students with disabilities.

You can contact the Service for information on access procedures and the most suitable solutions for your needs.

In the Museums

The University Museum System promotes accessibility and the enjoyment of the University’s scientific, historical-scientific, and artistic heritage.

Dedicated services and activities are available for users with disabilities to ensure a fully inclusive experience.

University Language Centre - Foreign language tests

If you are a student with a disability, you may request adjustments and additional time to take foreign language tests at the University Language Centre.

We recommend submitting your request to Unifi Include well in advance, in order to allow the activation of the most appropriate measures and to receive all useful information to take the test under the best conditions.

To request accommodations for admission exams, please ensure that all procedures and steps outlined in the individual call for applications are carefully followed.

Before registering, ensure you have:

• the required documentation in PDF format,
• a valid identity document.

To receive accommodations during the exam, applicants are kindly requested to provide a disability certificate or a civil invalidity certificate (INPS assessment report pursuant to Law 104/1992, Law 102/2009, or Legislative Decree 62/2024). 

The documentation must be clear and complete with all information useful for understanding the candidate's specific needs.

If you reside abroad, the certification must be issued in your country of residence and accompanied by an official translation into Italian, in compliance with current regulations.

Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to identify the most appropriate methods while respecting regulations and organizational procedures.

Accommodations for admission exams in the case of disability or civil invalidity certification consist of:

• +50% additional time,
• non-scientific calculator,
• video magnifier or tutor (reader/writer).

In case of special needs, contact the office at the dedicated email address: certificazioni.proveammissioni@unifi.it

Personalized arrangements may be provided for exams, including:

• 50% additional time for written exams or, alternatively, a proportional reduction in the number of questions;
• use of learning aids (concept maps, tables, formula sheets) to be agreed with the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam;
• alternative formats (e.g. oral instead of written exams);
• splitting the exam into multiple partial tests;
• use of specific aids;
• support from a tutor.

In this case as well, submission of the required documentation and the preparation of a Personalized Study Support Plan are necessary.

Adjustments are agreed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account your needs and the characteristics of the course.

If you have a recognized disability or a degree of invalidity equal to or greater than 66%, you are entitled to exemption from the regional fee for the right to higher education (€140) and from the all-inclusive university contribution. Only the €16 stamp duty remains payable.

If your degree of invalidity is below 66%, you may benefit from a reduction in university fees, calculated based on the recognized percentage:

• from 51% to 65% → 50% reduction
• from 35% to 50% → 30% reduction
• from 5% to 34% → 25% reduction

If you have doubts about your situation or would like clarification before enrolment or fee payment, you can contact the Service for personalized guidance.

In any case, always consult the section “Partial or total exemption from fees and contributions” of the Study Programme Guide.