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Disability support services

Università IULM is fully committed to providing institutionalised and personalised support services for people with disabilities and specific learning disorders (DSA/ADHD), ensuring their equal access to education, research, and campus life. These services are embedded in the IULM Disability and Inclusion Policy, which explicitly commits the University to eliminating barriers and providing tailored academic, technological, and psychological support.

1. Admissions and Orientation

  • During the admissions process, applicants with disabilities or SLD can formally request compensatory and dispensatory measures for entrance examinations.
  • Incoming students are assisted through personalised orientation programmes that support degree course selection, administrative procedures, and adaptation to university life.

2. Academic Support and Tutoring

  • The DiversaMENTE Office acts as the institutional hub for disability services, coordinating:
    • Peer tutoring schemes, where senior students support students with disabilities in exam preparation and study organisation.
    • Individual mediation with faculty, ensuring accessible teaching and tailored examination conditions. DiversaMENTE office also trains IULM faculty on how to approach disabled, SLD and ADHD students regarding the lessons, the exams and study method.
    • Courses on study methods and stress management, including targeted seminars for students with SLD and ADHD (e.g. “Concept mapping workshops”, “Stress-free graduation”, “Anxiety management”)
  • Accessible digital texts and assistive technologies are provided upon request.

3. Psychological Support

  • Università IULM provides dedicated psychological counselling for students with disabilities through individual sessions with professional psychologists.
  • In addition, small-group seminars are organised to address issues such as anxiety, self-esteem, and study strategies.

4. International Mobility

  • The Erasmus+ Programme, in which IULM participates, allocates special mobility grants for students with disabilities, covering extra costs (accommodation, equipment, personal assistance, travel). Università IULM guarantees equal participation by supporting all applications requiring such funding.

5. Internships and Job Placement

  • In collaboration with the Career Service, DiversaMENTE supports students in accessing internships compatible with their needs, and in preparing for interviews and contractual agreements.
  • Graduates benefit from placement opportunities dedicated to protected categories, as required by Italian law, ensuring real inclusion in the labour market.

6. Financial Aid and Scholarships

Università IULM guarantees comprehensive financial support measures for students with disabilities, including full tuition exemption for students with a disability ≥66% and a wide range of scholarships and awards designed to reduce economic barriers and promote academic success.

The main categories include:

  • “Misure per il sostegno degli studenti universitari con disabilità gravissima” (2025/2026, D.M. MUR n. 455/2025)
    For the allocation of lump-sum care allowances (assegni di cura) as contributions towards the cost of qualified personnel assisting students during lessons.
  • Borse di Studio “Elsa Pigoli Zucchi”
    3 scholarships awarded to students with physical disabilities, including 1 reserved for university students, aimed at supporting young people in disadvantaged economic conditions.
  • Premi di Laurea in memoria di Antonio e Luigi Goi e Angela De Giacomi Goi e Premio di Laurea in memoria di Alessio Buttarelli
    4 awards for graduates with disabilities, funded by Fondazione della Comunità Bresciana and the Buttarelli family, ranging from €200 to €2,500.
  • Fondazione Macciachini Monti Scholarships (2023/24)
    7 annual scholarships of €9,000 each for deserving students with sensory disabilities (vision, hearing), neuromotor disabilities, or neurodiversity (DSA, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders).
  • Fondazione Villa Mirabello Onlus Scholarships
    8 scholarships (4 of €2,000 and 4 of €1,000) dedicated to young blind or visually impaired students to support higher education and music conservatory studies.

7. Accessible Campus and Housing

  • The IULM campus is fully barrier-free, with accessible entrances, restrooms, lifts, classrooms, library areas, and parking.
    All campus signage is written in braille, ensuring navigation for visually impaired students.
  • The IULM Residence provides 4 specially equipped units for students with disabilities, including adapted bathrooms, internet, and climate control.
  • Mobility orientation courses for blind students are regularly offered to support campus navigation.

8. Staff with disabilities

  • IULM employment contract guarantees staff with disabilities the right to part-time and smart-working arrangements, facilitating inclusion and reducing work-related barriers.
  • Employees with severe disabilities are entitled to paid leave (three days per month or two hours per day).
  • Family members caring for a person with severe disability have access to extraordinary paid leave with full social security coverage.
  • All staff benefit from a welfare scheme, which can be used to cover medical expenses and other essential needs.