UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

2024

• The Department for Equal Opportunities invites to the Workshop "Inclusion Action Plan", with the main focus on the continuation of the Inclusion Action Plan (2020-2024).
• The University of Cologne provides permanent human resources for the development and coordination of an inclusion strategy.

2023

• The contact persons for activities in the field of inclusion at the faculties expand their communication within the faculties, draw attention to their role (e.g., at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Medicine), and provide information about specific services offered by the University of Cologne (e.g., at the Faculty of Law).

2022

• In the network "Inclusive University NRW", university members from all over NRW exchange views on strategic issues in the field of inclusion. In addition to the exchange of content, cooperations are initiated and joint political strategies are developed. The contact person for the network is Susanne Groth (University of Cologne).
• The mid-term review workshop for the Action Plan on Inclusion takes place in February. Together with more than 60 participants, the workshop will discuss and summarize what has already been achieved and on which topics a stronger focus should be placed.

2021

• The Department of Gender & Diversity Management is setting up the Inclusion Project Fund. The fund can be used to apply for material resources for the implementation of projects and measures in inclusion. Students and employees of the faculties, central facilities and administrative institutions are invited to apply

2020

• The Department für Equal Opportunities created a website for the implementation of the measures in the Inclusion Action Plan to ensure transparency regarding the activities in the field of inclusion.
• Under the funding program "Inclusive University," the University of Cologne receives funding from 2020 to 2026, which is intended to improve the situation of students with disabilities or chronic illnesses. These funds have helped ensure the support of the office holders.
• Contact persons for activities in the field of inclusion at all six faculties are appointed. The contact persons are committed to the topic of inclusion in their faculty and report to the Round Table on Inclusion on current developments in their faculty.
• The Inclusion Round Table is now composed of functionaries* in the field of inclusion and the contact persons for activities in the field of inclusion. It meets three times a year. Each meeting focuses on one area of action of the Inclusion Action Plan and invites experts and persons responsible for measures as guests.
• The current issue of the Journal for Diversity Research and Management deals with the topic "From Diversity Management to Diversity and Inclusion? Together, Susanne Groth, Prof. Dr. Mathilde Niehaus, Dr. Britt Dahmen and Dr. Kathrin Staufenbiel have contributed an article that examines the development of the action plan for inclusion at the University of Cologne.
• The topic "Inclusion" is integrated in the "Gender Equality and Diversity Development Plans" (2020-2024) of the Faculties, administration and central institutions.

2019

• The University of Cologne provides human and material resources to coordinate the implementation of the Inclusion Action Plan. In February 2020, a new position was created to coordinate the Inclusion Action Plan (0.5 TV-L E 13).

2017

• Das Servicezentrum Inklusion ist Mitglied der Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Studium und Behinderung NRW.  
• The Service Center Inclusion is a member of the State Working Group on Studies and Disability NRW.
• From 2017-2019, the University of Cologne will participate as a model location in the symposium "Inclusion at Universities - Gender Equitable", which is coordinated by the Hildegardis-Verein e.V. The University of Cologne is financially supported by the college in the implementation of some measures, provides good practice examples as a model location and networks with other universities on the topic.

2023

• Durch die Einrichtung eines „Fonds zur Gewährleistung von barrierearmen Beratungen" kann Beratung (z.B. durch den Personalrat) von Mitarbeitenden mit Hör- und Sprachbehinderungen ohne Wissen des*der Vorgesetzen ermöglicht werden.
   
• By establishing a "Fund to Guarantee Low-barrier Counseling”, employees with hearing and speech disabilities can receive consultations (e.g., from the staff council) without the knowledge of their supervisors.
   
• 2023 wurden neue Regelungen von Dezernat 4 zum Thema „Assistenz- und Therapiehunde" veröffentlicht.
   
• In 2023, new regulations regarding “Assistance and Therapy Dogs“ were published by Department 4.       
   
• Im Personaldezernat werden Personalsachbearbeiter*innen (Thomas Klein, Iris Koprek) zum Themenfeld Inklusion am Arbeitsplatz weitergebildet und als Ansprechpersonen benannt.
   
• The Human Recources Department trained their HR officers (Thomas Klein and Iris Koprek) on the topic of workplace inclusion and designated them as contact persons.

2022

• An inclusion agreement is currently in preparation. The severely disabled representative, the inclusion officer of the employer and the two staff councils are involved.

2021

• In 2021, the Rectorate commissioned the Department for Equal Opportunities to develop a (further) concept for financing qualification positions for researchers with disabilities, supported by the faculties (see the area of action “Research“).
• The working group "Mit Rat und Tat" develops the concept for an orientation event on the topic of "(Working) together with disabilities/health impairments". Due to low registration numbers, the online event is cancelled and postponed indefinitely.

2020

• The Chair of Work and Vocational Rehabilitation (Prof.in Dr. Mathilde Niehaus) presents to the university public the results of the university-wide survey "Diversity is Strength - Working, Collaborating and Leading with Disability/Health Impairment".

2019

• The awareness campaign "Working, Collaborating and Leading with Disability/Health Impairment", carried out by the Chair of Work and Vocational Rehabilitation (Prof.in Dr. Mathilde Niehaus), starts.

2018

• In the Human Resources Department, a regular jour fixe is introduced between employees of the Company Integration Management (Dept. 42) and the Personnel Management Department (Dept. 41).

2024

• In 2024 the project team "PROMI - Inclusive PhD“ conducted a training session on the topic of "PhD/Research with Disabilities“ for the Graduate Schools and the Human Resource Department for Science.
• The information campaign "PhD with Disabilities and/or Chronic Illnesses at the University of Cologne“ (2023-2024) aims to raise awareness for the resources developed through the PROMI-Project among the relevant target groups. The campaign will enhance attention to the topic through informational materials, social media posts, and (networking) events.

2023

• In 2023, the rectorate decided to establish a permanent funding structure for qualification positions for researchers with disabilities. Annually, a 65% TVL E13 position is available for a doctoral candidate or postdoctoral researcher.
• The project PROMI - Inclusive PhD published a guide on „PhD with Disabilities“ in English.

2022

• The project „PROMI – Promoting inclusive doctoral studies“ provides information on the topic of "doctoral studies with disabilities" on the project website: promi.uni-koeln.de (not in English).

2021

• The University of Cologne has signed a statement on the sustainable support of severely disabled academics on their way to a doctorate and into science. The statement published by the project "PROMI - Promotion Inklusive", "Developing potential - opening the way to a doctorate and to science for severely disabled academics", was written and supported together with cooperating universities and the project advisory board. The statement is intended to draw the attention of the federal government, the states and universities to the issue and to present options for establishing permanent support structures at university, state and federal level.
• In order to make the possibility of applying for compensation for disadvantages in the context of habilitation examinations more transparent, regulations on compensation for disadvantages and protective provisions should also be included in habilitation regulations. For this purpose, the Prorectorate for Research and Innovation at the University of Cologne, together with the Legal Department and the expertise from the PROMI - Promotion inklusive project, has developed a guideline with suggestions for concrete implementation. The University of Cologne publishes a handout on the implementation of disadvantage compensation in habilitation regulations.
• The September edition of MitUns reports on the support of young female scientists with disabilities, who are funded by the Professor Program III. 
• In the July edition of Unimagazin, a young female scientist with disabilities talks about her research and how she is supported by the Professor Program III.

2020

• Three qualification positions for young female scientists with disabilities (2 PhD positions, 1 PostDoc position) will be filled. The positions are funded both by the Women Professorship Program III and by the faculties. The three successful applicants work at the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Human Sciences.
• The working group "Doctoral Studies with Disabilities" publishes an information film for those interested in doctoral studies/doctoral students with disabilities (not in English) as well as an accompanying pdf.

2018

• The project team PROMI - Promotion inklusive conducts an advanced training on the topic "Promotion/Research with Disabilities" for the Graduate Schools and Human Resources Development Science.
• The doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Human Sciences (not in English) provide for the possibility of claiming compensation for disadvantages.

2024

• The Vice Dean's Office for Academic Development & Equal Opportunities at the Medical Faculty is launching a project to increase awareness of inclusion at the Medical Faculty (AWI). Measures to increase awareness, knowledge and acceptance in the area of inclusion are identified and implemented.
• The project „Barriers in Academia“ publishes a Zine on disability-related barriers in academic settings.
• The inclusive Peersupport from the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation (not in English) provides a contact point for students with questions about studying with disabilities, chronic and/or mental illnesses, and neurodivergence. The "Inclusion Tutor“ is connected with various students and university committees and contributes to the development of inclusion initiatives within the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation.
• The Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation is planning a video series on the topic of "Studying successfully with disabilities, chronic conditions and/or psychological stress", with the aim of ensuring more visibility for students concerned and to destigmatize studying with disabilities.

2023

• The Service Center Inclusion launched a website on the topic of Compensation for disadvantages.  (not in English)
• At the University of Cologne (UzK) and the University Hospital Cologne, employees are trained as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA). The UzK offers this training for the first two years for people who work in teaching or advising students.
• The “Inclusive Peer Support” project has been running at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities since September 2023. The “Inclusiontutors“ attend courses and provide information about the university's advice/support services in the area of inclusion. A weekly consultation hour is also offered.
• The Service Center Inklusion (SZI) and the Center for Students without Barrieres (SOS- Department) initiated numerous group offerings where students can exchange ideas at eye level. These group offerings have a disability-specific, thematic, or more general focus, covering areas such as visual impairment, deafness and hearing loss, ADHD, neurodivergence, mental health, and current stresses and challenges. These groups are mostly associated with regular meetings.
• In November 2023, the "Deaf & Hard-Of-Hearing Awareness Days" organized under the guidance of the Department of "Pedagogy and Didactics for People with Hearing Impairment" took place. This event aimed to adress school graduates and students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

2022

• Since 2022 the Service Center Inclusion (SZI) offers an advanced workshop as part of the Peer- Certificate-Program for tutors and active members of student councils.
• The Chair of Teaching and Education for Students with Learning disorders has initiated a group offer for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia. The project HelPeers organizes peer meetings once a month, where students can exchange in a comfortable atmosphere and receive information about studying with dyslexia and dyscalculia.
• The Service Center for Inclusion (SZI) offers advice both face-to-face and online via telephone, video call or chat.
• The SZI has also initiated various exchange offers for students:
• Student exchange, in which students can exchange views on current stresses and challenges
• Exchange meeting for visually impaired students
• Getting to know each other and networking meetings at the start of the semester
• Exchange via a WhatsApp group
• The SZI offers an additional workshop as part of the peer certificate for tutors and those active in the student council.

2021

• Since 2021, the General Students' Committee (AstA) offers numerous workshops and lectures as part of the annual 'Mental Health Week'.
• In 2021, the Student Health Management (SGM) program was established at the University of Cologne (UzK). Under the umbrella brand "Healthy University of Cologne“ (Gesunde Uni Köln), all health-promoting initiatives and measures of the UzK are consolidated. All relevant stakeholders work together here to pursue a unified health strategy.
• The GaRFIELd Learning Ambulance supports students with reading and writing disorders and serves as a point of contact for compensation to these challenges.
• Since 2021, the Service Center Inclusion offers workshops at the Center for University Teaching (ZHD) with focus on various points.
• The ASTA department for teaching and studies offers workshops on the subject of "mental health" as part of the "Healthy Studying" project.
• The UoC has been developing student health management (SGM) since 2021 and is supported by Techniker Krankenkasse for the first three years.
• Under the direction of the Service Center Inclusion and the representatives for students with disabilities, chronic or mental illness, a working group has created the "Guide for studying with disabilities, chronic or mental illness". The guide offers the target group a quick and targeted orientation.
• As part of the Career Week, the Service Center Inclusion, the Chair of Work and Vocational Rehabilitation and the Career Service Network invite you to the event "Into working life with disability, chronic or mental illness!" During the event, students will have the opportunity to talk to experts (on their own behalf), exchange experiences and receive information about the transition to working life.
• Under the leadership of Dr. Rainer Weber, the working group "Mental Health" starts its work. The working group pursues the goal of creating knowledge about and acceptance for the special challenges of students with mental stress and illnesses at the University of Cologne among all status groups (students, professors, scientific employees, and employees in technology and administration). The working group develops recommendations for action regarding corresponding problems and initiates measures. This also includes the establishment and further development of new and existing internal and external cooperations within the framework of research projects.

2020

• The department "Studying without barriers" (not in English) and advisors* inside the Inclusion Service Center are setting up an online peer-to-peer advisory service to provide support in designing studies during the corona period.
• The Service Center Inclusion and the Cologne Student Services offer counseling via video calls or chat.

2019

• The awareness website "Giving People a Voice" goes online. Here, employees and students with disabilities share their experiences of everyday life at the university.
• In order to maintain and strengthen the counseling services, the Inclusion Service Center will fill two psychological counselor* positions from May onwards (2 x 0.5 TV-L E 13).
• The Service Center for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses is renamed the Service Center Inclusion, also to better reach students with mental health problems.
• The Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (Dr. Rainer Weber) is conducting a qualitative survey of students with mental illness (2019-2021) to identify specific needs and derive recommendations for action. A research assistant*office (0.5 TV-L 13) will be staffed to conduct the survey.
• With the website emPower, the Chair of Work and Vocational Rehabilitation (Prof.in Dr. Mathilde Niehaus) provides an online offer to provide information about mental stress and relevant contact points. It offers a decision support for students with mental stress and supports them in finding practical help.

2018

• In 2018-2019, Uni Sport will conduct three further training courses for employees* on the subject of inclusion and how to deal with impairments in sport.

2017

• The Service Center Inclusion (in 2017 still under the name "Service Center for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses") will be nominated for the University Award of the Administration and awarded accordingly. The Service Center Inclusion will be further promoted and honored by this award.

2024

• In April 2024, the Vice-Rectorate for Studies and Teaching and the Department of Equal Opportunities conducted a workshop on "Digital Accessibility in Teaching and Learning“.

2023

• In 2023, a workshop on "Raising Awareness and Providing Knowledge on Interacting with People with Hearing Impairments“ was held under the leadership of the Department of Interpreting: German Sign Language, and primarily targeted medical and education students.
• The online event series "Aesthetics of Accessibility“(not in English) provides information and raises awareness about accessibility in art, culture, and research. 
• Since 2023, the Center for University Teaching has significantly expanded its offers on the topic of "Inclusive/Accessible Teaching“ in its program.   
• The Service Center Inclusion launched a website on the topic of Compensation for disadvantages  (not in English)
• Since 2022/2023, the issue of compensation for disadvantages has been increasingly addressed (e.g. within the framework of system accreditation). The Commissioner for Students with Disabilities and the Sercicecenter for Inclusion organized workshops with the inclusion officers at the faculties, the examination offices, and the legal department to discuss common quality standards, uniform forms, and a shared monitoring system.
• Five additional scholarships for students with disabilities or chronic health condition are funded by the "Inclusive University" funding program.

2022

• Since 2022, the GaRFIELd Learning Clinic offers study time support in the "Study Hall" project, primarily for students with dyslexia or ADHD.      
• At the beginning of 2022, the Senate adopted the "Guiding Principles for Studies and Teaching," in which inclusion is explicitly mentioned.
• In 2022, the "Culture of Care" (not in English) awards were presented, recognizing innovative first-year offerings as "Good Practices".
• At the Inclusion Service Center (SZI), a new employee is dealing extensively with the issue of compensation for disadvantages and is developing a communication strategy on the subject.
• Five additional scholarships for students with disabilities or chronic health condition will be funded by the "Inclusive University" funding program.
• The Senate adopts the "Study and Teaching Principles" in which inclusion is explicitly named.

2021

• The Service Center Inclusion published guidelines and information for university lecturers on the topic of "Inclusive Digital Teaching."
• Five additional scholarships for students with disabilities or chronic health condition will be funded by the "Inclusive University" funding program.
• In the summer semester, a survey entitled "Full survey of students at the University of Cologne on their current psychological stress" will be conducted. The study is led by Dr. Rainer Weber, Prof. Dr. Thomas Hennemann and Prof. Dr. Alexander Gerlach.

2020

• The campaigns "Giving People a Voice" and "Unboxing Discrimination" make needs and barriers more visible.      
• Lecturers at the University of Cologne publish tips on the benefits of zoom in seminars. In particular, they discuss what needs to be taken into account to enable students/employees with sensory impairments to participate.

2019

• A guide for inclusion-sensitive teaching entitled "Diversity and inclusion in your university teaching" is published.
• The Inclusion Service Center and the L-R-S! project have prompted the purchase of software to provide support for dyslexia and ADHD. Since March, the software has been made available through the Regional Computer Center Cologne.

2018

• The University and City Library appoints a central contact person for barrier-free services: Tatjana Mrowka, mrowka(at)ub.uni-koeln.de.
• The students occupy an autonomous department for students with disabilities. The department "Studying without barriers" has already been able to contribute to the preparation of the action plan.

2024

• The test version of the campus map "CampusGIS2" is released in April 2024.

2022

• A guide on "Barrier-Free Construction" is being developed by Martin Trinks (Department 51) and Stephan Schneider (Department 52) in collaboration with the Disabled Employees Representation (SBV) and the Inclusion Officer.

2021

• In April the kick-off of the project "CampusGIS 2 - A digital and interactive map of the UzK with a focus on accessibility" will take place. The project is led in terms of content by the Institute of Geography. While the Gender & Diversity Management unit is responsible for the coordination, the RRZK provides the technical infrastructure and supports the project, e.g. by consulting. CampusGIS 2 has a duration of four years.

2020

• The Institute of Geography and the Department of Gender & Diversity Management are jointly developing a concept for a "barrier-free site plan" project.

2019

• The Department of Building and Real Estate Management conducts workshops on the topic of "Barrier-Free Building" in order to define/create standards. The Inclusion Officer and the Representative for the Severely Disabled are involved.

2018

• A section on accessibility was included in the University of Cologne's University Location Development Plan (HSEP) Master Plan 2030.

2015

• The Department of Building and Real Estate Management is conducting a workshop on "Barrier-free Building", with the participation of the Inclusion Officer and the Representative for Disabled Persons.

2024

• The topic of "Digital Accessibility" will be considered in both the "Digital Administration" agenda and the Web Relaunch 2024.
• The Vice-Rectorate for "Studies and Teaching" and the Department for Equal Opportunities are conducting a workshop on "Digital Accessibility in Studies and Teaching".

2023

• The Vice-Rectorate for "Studies and Teaching" and the Department for Equal Opportunities are conducting a workshop on "Digital Accessibility."

2022

• Since 2022, the Faculty of Philosophy publishes the flyer "PhilFak Inclusive" at the beginning of each semester.
• The University of Cologne is involved in the project "Competence Center Digital Accessibility.NRW". The new competence center supports universities in North Rhine-Westphalia in reducing deficits in the implementation of legal requirements for digital accessibility. The project is being funded for two years by the Ministry of Culture and Science. DoBuS, the Department of Disability and Studies at TU Dortmund University, is in charge of the project.
• The RRZK publishes information on the barrier-free design of websites.

2021

• The representatives for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses advertise a fund to promote "sign language and speech-to-text interpreting". The costs for the use of sign language or speech-to-text interpreting can be covered within the framework of various event formats.
• The Regional ComputingCentre (RRZK) appoints a contact person for digital accessability: Anja Klinner, klinner(at)uni-koeln.de

2020

• The Regional ComputingCentre (RRZK) published guidelines for accessible website design.
• The Inclusion Service Center of the University of Cologne has compiled helpful tips on subtitling web conferences, video calls and web conferences for consultants and speakers on a website. It presents the possibilities of automatic live subtitling, synchronous, manual input, the use of external providers for live subtitling and the subsequent creation of subtitles. Also available is a guide for the recipient* in side if the presenters do not offer subtitling.
• In the declaration on accessibility, the University of Cologne documents the state of implementation in accordance with the regulation on the creation of barrier-free information technology under the North Rhine-Westphalia Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons Act.
• Central events of the University of Cologne (e.g. first semester welcome, spring reception of the administration, annual reception of the rector) are designed barrier-free. In the summer semester 2020 and winter semester 2020/21, the online event formats will be equipped with German and - in part - English subtitles. A query will be sent out with the event invitation, in which sign language interpretation can be registered if required..

2019

• The YouTube video "How to enroll at the University of Cologne" is provided in sign language.
• In November, a workshop on the BITV 2.0 ordinance for the creation of barrier-free information technology in accordance with the Disability Equality Act will be held for employees of the Communication and Marketing Department.
• The Department of Communication and Marketing develops and publishes a handbook for creating accessible documents and a checklist for accessible events.
• Since 2019, the Regional Data Center Cologne has been asking for accessibility as a criterion when purchasing IT solutions and has made its consulting expertise available on this topic.