With its resolution of June 27, 2023, the Academic Senate of the City University of Applied Sciences (HSB) approved the "Action Plan 2023-2027 for the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (UN CRPD) in all areas of HSB.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force on May 3, 2008. This universal treaty instrument concretizes existing human rights for the life situation of people with disabilities with the aim of promoting their equal opportunities and equal participation in society. The treaty represents an important step towards strengthening the rights of people with disabilities worldwide. The UN CRPD has been applicable law in Germany since March 26, 2009.
The HSB's action plan for implementing the UN CRPD is primarily based on the following principles, the relevant passages of which are listed in the attachment:
Furthermore, the General Equal Treatment Act in accordance with Article 3 of the Basic Law, the Social Code IX (Rehabilitation and Participation of People with Disabilities), the Bremen Disability Equality Act and the integration agreement within the meaning of Par. 166 of the Social Code for the public service of the state of Bremen are taken into account. Further guidelines are the action plan of the state of Bremen for the implementation of the UN CRPD, the Bremen Science Plan 2025, the HRK recommendations of April 2009 for a 'University for All' and the action strategies of the student unions. In addition, HSB signed the "Diversity Charter" in 2010 and created a basic understanding of the need for diversity-oriented university development with the "Diversity Audit" of the Stifterverband (2015/2016), which was confirmed by the re-audit in 2022. HSB has also anchored the corresponding values in its 2018 mission statement.
With the 3rd Action Plan for the years 2023 - 2027, the HSB is continuing the objectives and implementation measures, deepening them and qualitatively expanding the fields of action that were already guiding the HSB's actions in the 2nd Action Plan 2018 - 2022.
These will be updated and deepened in the new action plan for the coming years. HSB is committed to creating an inclusive university. This also includes presenting the topic of inclusion in studies, teaching, research and transfer and in the topics of the university development plan and quality management.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) has been applicable law in the Federal Republic of Germany since March 26, 2009. It obliges state and public bodies and institutions to design their services in such a way that all people are included on an equal basis and the participation of people with disabilities is made possible without discrimination. For the higher education sector, this results in the obligation to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to general higher education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning, but also to research and employment opportunities in all areas and at all levels of the respective institutions without discrimination and on an equal basis with others (cf. Art. 24 in conjunction with Art. 4, 5 UN CRPD).
The further development of the action plan is intended to continue to support the HSB in all areas and at all levels so that people with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses can work, research and study at this university on an equal footing with others. The action plan is based on the following requirements: Linkage to the UN CRPD, overall responsibility, stocktaking, comprehensive approach, clarity and verifiability as well as mechanisms for review and further development (cf. on human rights requirements for action plans, Palleit 2010). In addition to the general principles (Art. 3) for the area of work and employment in Article 27, for the area of study and teaching in Article 24 and the areas of accessibility, media and information technology in Article 9, the link to the UN CRPD must also be taken into account in the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG), the Social Code IX (SGB IX) and the Bremen Disability Equality Act (BremBGG), but also the integration agreement within the meaning of Section 166 of the Social Code for the public service of the state of Bremen.
The 2023 - 2027 action plan is based on the current action plan for the UN CRPD of the state of Bremen, the Science Plan 2025 of the state of Bremen, the HRK recommendations and the action strategies of the Studierendenwerke. It is largely based on the HSB's previous action plans, which will be further developed for the coming years. The aim is to define comparable fields of action for the state of Bremen as a whole in order to set standards for the science location across all universities. The HSB also focuses on good practice approaches and evidence-based, scientific findings that have a forward-looking effect.
The HSB action plan presented requires a wide range of additional basic and funding resources in order to fully or largely implement the objectives set. Accordingly, it is a general goal to provide the necessary resources, both material and personnel, partly as a prerequisite for the implementation of measures. In the coming years, the state of Bremen will have to fulfill its obligations arising from the UN CRPD and provide the corresponding financial resources.
The HSB has been committed to implementing the UN CRPD and other legal requirements for many years. Since the Academic Senate first discussed the 1st Action Plan (October 21, 2014), numerous measures have already been successfully implemented in terms of accessibility, inclusion and equal participation. On April 17, 2018, the Academic Senate of the HSB - City University of Applied Sciences approved the 2nd Action Plan 2018 - 2022 for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the City University of Applied Sciences. This action plan has guided HSB's actions in recent years. A large number of the measures anchored in the action plan, which have been repeatedly adapted and further developed over the years, have been successfully implemented. The following statements provide examples of the progress made in the various fields of action.
The HSB is continuing and expanding these aspects in its research activities since 2018, a steering group has been set up at the City University of Applied Sciences (HSB) in accordance with the 2nd Action Plan in the form of the Standing Committee for the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The commission is made up of representatives from the university management, occupational safety and environmental protection, the representative body for severely disabled persons, the student representative body, representatives from the student advisory service for students with health impairments and representatives from occupational health management, among others. Their tasks include critically monitoring and further developing the action plan, regularly taking stock of the progress of accessibility, inclusion and participation as well as developing and reviewing ongoing measures.
This 3rd Action Plan 2023 - 2027 builds on the objectives and measures of the 2nd Action Plan and serves as a guideline for HSB in the coming years with regard to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at HSB.
The university's mission statement includes the topics of equal opportunities and equality in work and education:
"We aspire to work in mutual respect, to create good working conditions and to work together on the concerns of the university. We see diversity as an opportunity. We are committed to implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the principle of a university for all" (excerpt from the HSB mission statement, 2018).
The perspective of inclusion and participation of people with disabilities will continue to be incorporated into the university's development processes at central and decentralized level. All relevant decision-making processes are checked for their compatibility with the requirements of the UN CRPD and other legal regulations on accessibility, inclusion and participation of people with disabilities. The measures resulting from these requirements are reviewed by the responsible areas of the university with regard to their feasibility and gradually transferred into corresponding action plans. Existing HSB regulations will be reviewed to determine the extent to which they comply with the requirements of the UN CRPD and other applicable federal or state law and, if necessary, adapted accordingly.
The further development of inclusion and participation of people with disabilities is regularly put to the test. To this end, the Rectorate, together with the relevant representatives, advisors, university committees, departments, faculties and the student body, continues the reporting and monitoring process. A two-year action plan identifies the planned progress and existing adjustment requirements. The further development is included as a reporting point in the Rectorate's annual report to the Academic Senate every two years.
The university's self-image of being a place where people with different backgrounds and conditions can learn, research and work together is made clear in internal and external public relations work. Progress is presented on the university's website
Specifically, the standards achieved in the study conditions of students with disabilities are being consolidated in terms of inclusion and equal participation. The aim is to publicize and apply the possibilities of individual counseling and the granting of compensation for disadvantages in studies and examinations. For HSB, inclusion is more than just a legal requirement. The pursuit of inclusion efforts is seen as a major gain for everyone involved.
Compliance with the statutory quota for severely disabled employees is a declared goal of the university management and is systematically pursued in all areas of work, including research and administration. Necessary measures are taken in job advertisements to make it clear that severely disabled candidates can apply specifically for the advertised position. The university is gradually creating a working environment that is adapted to the needs of severely disabled persons, persons with equivalent status and persons with long-term illnesses and is adapting the equipment in the workplaces of those directly affected accordingly. For example, the support of the Integration Office is being utilized. In addition, the Occupational Safety department, the representative body for severely disabled employees and the Human Resources department routinely exchange technical information in order to inform each other more quickly, particularly when hiring people with a severe disability, and to help speed up the process of hiring employees with disabilities. In addition, HSB cooperates with the rehabilitation agencies, the employment agency, the student union and self-help organizations, as well as relevant institutions and organizations, in order to realize its claim.
The barrier-free design of the university is of central importance in the implementation of an inclusive and participation-oriented university. Only when barrier-free access, study conditions, barrier-free research facilities and appropriately designed workplaces have been created can the inclusive mission statement be realized. Accordingly, the gradual implementation of accessibility in the areas of properties, studies, teaching and research, and the creation and design of workplaces is a core concern of the further development of the City University of Applied Sciences, its structure and its services.
The gradual implementation of accessibility at the university will remove obstacles that hinder and prevent people with disabilities from studying, working and conducting research at the City University of Applied Sciences. The creation of accessibility implements the requirements of Article 9 of the UN CRPD.
Accessibility for the university means that properties and their technical building equipment can be entered or used by people of all ages and with all mobility impairments or disabilities and can be used independently and largely without outside help, so that individual potential for independent action is not restricted. The systematic and gradual implementation of appropriate measures is therefore a particular concern of the university.
The requirements for technical equipment and its accessibility solutions are of great importance here. In line with the definition of accessibility used, it is necessary to take into account the needs of different user groups. In view of the changed working and study conditions due to digital and hybrid forms of work, the creation of accessibility is also of particular importance under these conditions. Despite considerable efforts in the past, not all buildings and facilities on university campuses can be found, accessed and used without barriers. In some cases, the lack of accessibility continues to restrict the rights of students, employees and guests with disabilities. Under certain circumstances, this makes it more difficult for students to complete their studies, but also for employees with disabilities to access employment opportunities, research activities and guests. When planning renovations or renting premises, care is taken to ensure that the needs of physically, visually and hearing impaired, chronically ill and mentally impaired students and employees are taken into account. For this reason, all measures are coordinated with the State Disability Commissioner and solutions are sought by mutual agreement. Where necessary, the building stock must be gradually adapted to the needs of those affected by making it accessible. At the same time, the need for necessary measures is increasing due to the rental of new or extended rental properties (e.g. Am Brill 2-4, Hermann-Koehl-Strasse 1) and the acquisition of new buildings (e.g. AIR/PORT/LAB). When renting premises, accessibility is ensured or accessibility is created through conversions. This is a major challenge, particularly with regard to the AIR/PORT/LAB (purchase in 2022). There is a considerable need for conversions and additions in terms of accessibility.
In the past, it has not yet been possible to fully record and document the need for measures to create accessibility (in the sense of an accessibility register); this task is therefore of central importance in the near future.
For all upcoming renovation or refurbishment measures, proposals are regularly drawn up to ensure barrier-free construction in accordance with the Bremen State Building Code (BremLBO). HSB will continue to make use of the opportunity to implement holistic accessibility in all planned construction projects and renovation options in preparation as part of the 3rd Action Plan. The BremLBO also provides for open spaces to be gradually made barrier-free.
The aim is to involve people with disabilities and their interest groups with their expertise in planning considerations to ensure structural accessibility. The Studierendenwerk will also influence the barrier-free design of its facilities in accordance with the legal requirements.
Equal access to information and communication is a basic prerequisite for participation in academic life. This applies to subject-related as well as social, cultural and personal exchange aspects of university life for students, teaching staff and all employees. The requirements of the current Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV) are gradually being implemented at the university in the design of internet and intranet offerings that are used publicly or within the university, as well as in the general use of dedicated software solutions, including apps for mobile devices.
Especially for people with disabilities, the networking of resources on the Internet and the wide range of information offer new access options to documents and services of various kinds. On the basis of the "Ordinance on the creation of barrier-free information technology in accordance with the Disability Equality Act (BITV)", the university will contribute to the provision and use of barrier-free websites and media in the interests of equal and self-determined participation in working life, studies and research.
This also includes the digital preparation of teaching and learning materials as well as the needs-based digitization of academic literature for blind and visually impaired students, teachers and doctoral candidates in cooperation with the State and University Library and relevant partners. With a corresponding further development of the university, the requirements of Article 21 in conjunction with Article 9 and Article 24 of the UN CRPD will also be gradually implemented.
Students with disabilities can be confronted with considerable obstacles and challenges that prevent them from participating equally in their studies, depending on the conditions on site or with regard to digital and hybrid study formats and their individual impairments. The barrier-free design of buildings and facilities (library, canteen, etc.) as well as information and communication options are often not enough to remove these obstacles to participation. However, addressing and removing barriers means more than just meeting legal requirements. Making studying and teaching accessible benefits everyone involved.
A support service for students with disabilities for the adaptation of study materials, in particular for visually impaired/blind and hearing-impaired students as well as students with partial learning disabilities, is also necessary for equal participation and a successful course of study. The HSB - City University of Applied Sciences will draw on the experience of other colleges and universities and seek advice on how to implement this and, if necessary, seek cooperation with other colleges/universities.
Part of inclusive studies is also the consideration of barrier-free didactics. Practical support services for lecturers have been gradually established at the City University of Applied Sciences in recent years (project-related). Over the next few years, the HSB will look into the possibilities of firmly anchoring this - independently of projects - and further developing the services in line with demand. Within the framework of further training, the focus on barrier-free didactics, in particular with regard to the barrier-free design of teaching materials, individual adaptation requirements to the respective learning setting, will be taken into account - always with the aim of enabling equal and non-discriminatory participation for all. The HSB teaches skills in an international context. In this respect, HSB pursues the goal of enabling inclusive study conditions - also with regard to stays abroad.
Despite the creation of comprehensive accessibility, individual adjustments in the form of compensation for disadvantages may still be necessary. There is a right to compensation for disadvantages in the course of studies, in examinations and also in university admission. The natural handling of compensation for disadvantages is an essential feature of an inclusive university. Those responsible for teaching and studying are informed about the right to justified compensation for disadvantages and about the various options for compensating for disadvantages. It is made clear that justified compensation for disadvantages must be granted. The decision-makers on the examination boards are also informed about the various options for compensating for disadvantages. When closing a degree program or discontinuing a course of study, the situation of students with disabilities, for whom expiry deadlines in particular can pose a problem, is particularly examined and taken into account. If necessary, special regulations or procedures must be created. In this respect, this examination is part of quality management.
Students with disabilities are often dependent on personal and technical assistance during their studies. This is true even if the university and its facilities are largely barrier-free and adaptable. By creating accessibility, the university ensures that the need for aids is kept to a minimum. Where necessary, the university and its facilities support those affected, in coordination with other service providers, in obtaining and using the assistance to which they are entitled. Where necessary, the university endeavors to enable students to study by providing study assistants. To this end, it will further intensify its cooperation with the integration assistance department of the Office for Social Services. Information about the possibility of study assistance will be prepared and made available to everyone (e.g. on the HSB website).
The need for technical assistance is diverse. The HSB aims to bundle and provide expertise and experience for future students and lecturers. To this end, it is being examined whether corresponding requirements can already be recorded via the CampInO applicant portal. At the same time, the information available for future students (and their parents or relatives) will be revised and expanded accordingly.
Even if the focus of a university is the educational mission for students, the development of an inclusive university also includes the creation of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This involves maintaining jobs if the university's employees have a disability or creating appropriately equipped jobs for new hires.
The City University of Applied Sciences has set itself the goal of further improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities by removing existing barriers. To this end, it strives to at least regularly meet or exceed the employment quota of 6% of employees specified in the integration agreement of the state of Bremen. The employment rate of severely disabled people at HSB is currently almost 6%. The university will continue to work on maintaining and expanding this threshold as sustainably as possible. To this end, the university management will continue to work together with the staff council and the representative body for severely disabled employees to improve and further develop employment opportunities for people with disabilities in all areas and at all levels of the university. In order to achieve this goal, the existing contacts with the Integration Office, the Integration Specialist Service (IFD) and the Employment Agency will continue to be used and cooperation will be further expanded. This is in line with legal requirements and the integration agreement (28.02.2018).
Cooperation with these institutions is essential, as they can provide financial support, assistance in equipping work equipment with aids and accompanying discussions when employing people with a severe disability, for example. The current situation makes it necessary to contact very different institutions depending on the personal situation of the person with a severe disability. This is very time-consuming and makes employment opportunities for this group more difficult.
The university will therefore work together with other institutions of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen to ensure that an employer service is set up as a "one-stop agency".
Reliable data must be available in order to determine the current situation and develop suggestions for improvement. To this end, people with severe disabilities are surveyed on their work situation as required and on an ad hoc basis, taking into account the framework conditions of co-determination and with the involvement of interest groups. The results form the basis for the further development of the employment situation, the removal of existing barriers and the creation of barrier-free workplaces. HSB is also guided by current findings, scientific studies, etc. and takes these into account in its further development.
In job advertisements, people with severe disabilities and their equals are specifically encouraged to apply for vacancies. The text on the rights of people with severe disabilities ("priority recruitment with essentially equal aptitude") has always been included in all job advertisements for some time. HSB therefore complies with the recommendations and objectives from the 2nd Action Plan 2018 - 2022. This also applies to the following aspects: If people with a severe disability are invited to a job interview, they are asked in advance about their needs in order to enable equal participation in the interview.
HSB will check whether requirement criteria can be modified in tenders so that potential barriers that could apply specifically to people with a severe disability are removed.
Supporting consulting services are also available for planning and advertising positions. Due to a restructuring in the HR department in spring 2022, two employees are available exclusively for job advertisement procedures and applicant management. Due to their specialization, they were able to further expand their existing skills and are available to university members for the necessary advice.
The Human Resources Department is currently working on a new information portal on personnel topics, which will include information on job advertisement procedures and personnel selection procedures. Here, HSB will also post and make accessible topic blocks that explicitly address the needs of employees and applicants with severe disabilities.
The university endeavors to fill its vacancies with people with disabilities. In all job advertisements, people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.
In principle, preference is given to people with a severe disability if their suitability, performance and aptitude are equivalent.
The area of research relates to supporting research activities on the topic of people with disabilities as well as improving the opportunities for academics with disabilities to work as researchers at the university at all levels. At the same time, access to qualification positions in all faculties is also comprehensively supported.
Research activities on the topic of persons with disabilities are justified in the general obligations in Article 4 of the UN CRPD and are specified in Article 9 with regard to technical innovations and in Article 31 with regard to improving the data situation on the life situation of persons with disabilities. Overall, the UN CRPD aims to promote research projects in all areas. Faculties and research institutions are encouraged to initiate and support research projects relating to people with disabilities. It is suggested that disability, participation and accessibility be included in all research clusters as a relevant topic area for diversity.
To improve the participation of academics with disabilities, all job advertisements specifically invite and encourage people with severe disabilities to apply. The aim here is to demonstrate in practice that the topic of diversity is also reflected in the fact that academics with a disability can research and teach at the HSB - City University of Applied Sciences on an equal footing. As part of the promotion of young academics at HSB, the offers of the "Employer Service for Severely Disabled Academics" are actively used.
A steering group was set up at the Rectorate in 2016. Its tasks include the critical monitoring and further development of the action plan, regular stocktaking and the development and review of ongoing measures. This steering group will continue its work.
The evaluation of the measures is of central importance in order to check whether the selected measures have contributed to improving the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities at the university. The evaluation provides indications as to where adjustments may need to be made and where new measures need to be developed and launched. To ensure the evaluation, developments and progress must be documented in a standardized procedure during the implementation of each individual measure.
The Action Plan 2018 - 2022 provides for a final evaluation of the 2nd Action Plan with the aim of describing the implementation status and the effects of each individual measure in order to assess the degree to which the objectives set have been achieved.
Not least in view of the coronavirus pandemic, priority was given to regular process reflection. This took place in the sense of quality management in the relevant levels of responsibility for the central fields of action as well as in the Standing Committee and in the form of ongoing reports and documentation to the Academic Senate.
Evaluation continues to be important in the 3rd Action Plan. Based on the individual measures and the achievement of the goals set, it should be made clear in which areas further measures are necessary in order to further advance the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities.
For the localization of responsibility, advice and representation of interests, the following already established organizational structure will be continued at the HSB:
The responsibility for changing the City University of Applied Sciences into a university for all in order to adequately implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in particular for inclusive studies and a barrier-free infrastructure for students, employees and guests, lies with the relevant members of the Rectorate.
The university management submits a two-year action plan and reports annually to the Academic Senate on the implementation of the action plan.
Furthermore, all members of the City University of Applied Sciences share responsibility for a change towards a more inclusive university within their area of responsibility and organization.
An appropriate information and advisory structure will continue to be created and further developed to advise students, administrative staff and teaching staff. This includes the central and decentralized levels as well as the relevant phases of the student life cycle. The Central Student Advisory Service plays a central role in this for students.
The university management is advised and supported in all matters relating to the organization, implementation and evaluation of an inclusive and accessible university. To this end, the work of the Standing Committee - with the participation of student and staff representatives - will be continued. The Standing Committee also incorporates relevant internal specialist expertise as well as the relevant levels of responsibility and work. To this end, the committee will be expanded by the newly created staff unit 'Occupational Health Management'. In accordance with the legal basis, diversity and anti-discrimination officers are included if they have not already been included. Cooperation with other relevant bodies and institutions of the state of Bremen and the universities of the state of Bremen is recommended.
This will be concretised within the framework of two-year action plans.