Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

To access the services offered to students with a Specific Learning Disorder, you must submit a valid diagnostic certification issued by the National Health Service or by specialists authorized under the 2012 State-Regions Agreement. This certification must clearly indicate the type of disorder and the relevant diagnostic codes, describe the student’s individual characteristics, and must have been issued after the age of 18, in which case it has permanent validity, or, if issued during childhood, it is valid for three years.

When to submit the certification

The certification can be submitted at different stages of your academic journey, 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 Committee established by the University will verify its validity and completeness;
• during enrolment: during the online enrolment procedure, you will be able to upload the certification in the section Segreteria > Dichiarazione disabilità / DSA of the "Student Career Management" portal. At this stage, it is strongly recommended that you contact Unifi Include for an initial information 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 university career. In this case as well, we recommend booking an appointment with Unifi Include for an introductory meeting.

Submitting an SLD declaration is voluntary. However, if you intend to benefit from compensatory measures and support services, it is essential that the certification has been formally submitted.

Personal data are processed in compliance with the current data protection legislation (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 adjustments and support measures best suited to your needs. After an introductory meeting and an evaluation of the documentation, we define a plan that takes into account your characteristics, the way teaching activities are carried out, and your academic path as a whole.

Adjustments may include, for example:

• technological aids (e.g. OCR scanner, microphone and recorder);
• teaching materials in digital or alternative format;
• specific aids such as a talking calculator or software for creating concept maps;
• personalized support for attendance, study, and assessments.

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 solution best suited to your needs, taking into account the characteristics of the teaching activity or the specific situation.

The tutoring service is structured in different forms of support, designed to accompany you through the various dimensions of university life.

Peer tutor

You may be supported by a student tutor who assists 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 (taking notes, attending lecturers’ office hours, using the library and IT resources, such as institutional email, databases, and learning platforms).

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

Specialized tutor

In some situations requiring more structured and ongoing support, the Service may assign a specialized tutor.

This is a professional with specific expertise, activated in the presence of complex educational needs that require a personalized and intensive intervention, particularly in conditions that significantly affect independence in study.

The activation and arrangements of the tutoring service (number of hours and activities) are defined together with the student, on the basis of the documentation submitted and the needs that emerge during the meeting.

Communication with lecturers is normally managed independently by the student.

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

• you may contact the lecturer directly, copying in the Service and stating 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 a meeting with the lecturer.

The aim is to foster a constructive and respectful dialogue, while preserving your active role in your academic path.

If needed, 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 supports you in identifying the most effective way to facilitate access to teaching materials.

If you are a student with SLD, you may request additional time to take a foreign language test at the University Language Centre.

We encourage you to submit your request to Unifi Include well in advance, so that the most appropriate measures can be arranged and you can receive all the useful information needed to take the test under the best possible 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 valid diagnostic certification issued by the National Health Service (SSN) or by authorized specialists according to the 2012 State-Regions Agreement.

This certification must clearly indicate the type of disorder and the relative nosographic codes, describe the student's individual characteristics, and be issued after the age of 18 (in which case it has permanent validity) or, if issued as a minor, have a three-year validity.

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 certification of a specific learning disability consist of:

• +30% additional time,
• non-scientific calculator, 
• tutor (reader/writer).

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

Personalized adjustments may be provided for examinations, including:

• 30% additional time during written exams or, alternatively, a proportional reduction in the number of questions;
• use of learning aids (maps, tables, formula sheets) to be agreed with the lecturer at least 15 days before the exam;
• possibility of alternative formats (e.g. oral instead of written examination);
• splitting the examination into several partial tests;
• use of specific aids.
• support from a tutor and/or technological devices for written examinations.

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

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