1. Which study subjects can I study at THM in Gießen / Friedberg?
The department BliZ of Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) assists blind and visually impaired students individually and extensively across all the available studies at THM.
Our fields of studies are modern and application-oriented, e.g., informatics, logistics, business administration, event management, architecture, biotechnology and health.
You can find a complete list of all the available studies of THM at:
https://www.thm.de/site/en/studies/our-degree-courses.html
At the BliZ we offer professional individual consultations to assist you in finding the study that fits you best for your time at THM.
2. Why should I as a blind or visually impaired person choose to study at THM?
THM has been sensitized for accessibility due to the BliZ for a long time. The BliZ exists for over 20 years now. There are few institutions in Germany that are comparable in regard to the extent of action and experience the BliZ showcases.
3. Can I as a blind or severely visually impaired person study studies such as event management or health management?
In principle, yes. You have claim to appropriate and need-based compensation for disadvantages. Contact us to learn how this might be in your personal case. The answer is not generally answerable, since it depends on your possible choice of study and your limitations. Naturally, your individual strengths and weaknesses also contribute to the answer to that question.
4. Aside from my visual impairment, I also have other disabilities. Will the BliZ support with me with that as well?
Our workspaces are accessible and equipped with induction loops. We have a lot of experience with people, who have additional disabilities. Therefore, you will also receive our support with additional impairments.
5. How is the study for people with disabilities and chronically ill students working?
Principally, exactly the same as the study for students with no disabilities except for some adapted examination procedures (elaborated explanation at question nr. 7)
6. Which qualifications are required to study at THM?
To study at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen you have to possess the higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or the subject-linked university entrance qualification (Fachabitur) or the advanced technical certificate (Fachhochschulreife) or an equivalent educational background that is approved by the hessian ministry of education and cultural affairs.
7. How long is the standard period of study?
The standard period of study is six semesters for the first academic degree Bachelor. That can be followed up with the master program with four semesters.
8. Does the study at THM take longer for blind and visually impaired people?
From our experience, due to diverse circumstances it generally does but we will support you to graduate your study as fast as you want or can.
9. How does the BliZ support me during my study?
We prepare study materials accessible for you and help you with the application process for compensation for disadvantages and aids. You have access to our specially equipped work rooms. We will also guide you through your internships and semester abroad.
10. Which special compensation for disadvantages do I receive or how do the possible assistances look?
You will receive the compensation you require to perform in exams just as well as other students.
Depending on the degree of disability and the rehabilitation, technical aids required in the exam you may receive a time extension of up to max. 100% during the exam. Most of the exams can be performed under supervision and usage of the BliZ infrastructure (refreshable braille display, large character systems, screen-reading devices). A part of written exams can be replaced by oral exams; the observers can be put by us.
The infrastructure is naturally also available for internships and term papers. Furthermore, we offer additional classes (LaTeX, homework tutoring, math advanced training course). We also assist in the preparation and processing of the subject matter and have an extensive teaching aid library ourselves.
We are in continuous contact with the students, the lecturers and the examining board to create an equality of opportunities in exam situations. Additionally, we try to offer contact persons for potential problems during semester break. Naturally, we are available for other questions and can assist e.g., with the search for a fitting apartment close to the campus.
11. Do I have a specific contact person during the study?
Yes. Depending on your study it will be either Mr. Öztürk or Mr. Smida. For general questions, you can turn to these two employees or to the entire BliZ-Team. Here you have experts in diverse topics by your side.
12. Do I have to prove my disability every semester anew?
Usually, the compensation qualifies in cases of visually impairments or blindness. It is only necessary if your compensation is temporary or about to expire.
13. Does the BliZ advise me in regard to my choice of study?
We do not perform the general study counselling, unlike the course guidance centre. However, we support you with all questions in regard to your visual impairment or blindless (exchange of experience, career prospect, …).
14. How can I finance my study?
The course guidance centre will competently counsel you in this question. For further information look up:
https://www.thm.de/site/studium/sie-wollen-studieren/studienfinanzierung.html
Additionally, there are specific sponsorships for students with visual impairment or blindness and specific performances. Here, the BliZ personally counsels you.
15. Can I participate in a lecture in advance?
Sure! If required, you can be accompanied. Dependent on the current situation of the pandemic, lectures are held online. We are pleased to create you an individual program with sample lectures, conversations with students from higher semesters and the offers of the BliZ.
16. Do I receive my accessibly edited documents prior to the lectures?
Yes. We are in close contact with the lecturers to keep the materials up to date. You simply have to inform us, which materials in which form you require.
17. I can only write exams on the computer. How does that work at THM?
We have pc-workspaces with fully equipped aid tools (audio outputs, screen-reading devices, enlarging programs) at your service.
18. What if I have to draw something in exams?
If there cannot be found any equivalent solutions with assistive technologies, there is the possibility of you being able to receive a different task or method of examination. We are pleased to council you here and are in close contact with the lecturers of THM.
19. Who helps me in the search for an apartment?
Hereof, we have diverse contacts but can also refer to the student services and other authorities.
20. Can I go abroad with THM to perform academic achievements?
Yes. There are partners, who will diversely support blind and visually impaired students. Depending on field of study, you can perform academic achievements in English by travelling to e.g., Lisbon, Palermo or Edinburgh. We are working closely with these universities. On-site we will search for room in a student dorm or an accessible and fitting apartment for you and look up assistances and a doctor, if required.
21. Where do I find more information for the study and where must I apply?
The course guidance centre under Mrs. Jutta Müller’s administration helps with all possible questions regarding a study at THM.
Zentrale Studienberatung (Course Guidance Centre)
Wiesenstraße 14 | 35390 Gießen
Website: https://www.thm.de/site/hochschule/zentrale-bereiche/zentrale-studienberatung.html
Questions regarding the study:
School and Thm:
22. I have further questions, whom can I contact?
For further questions, contact one of our employees.
23. As of late, I have become blind / visually impaired and do not know which devices can help me?
We offer to demonstrate a broad range of tool aids in a last-minute appointment and name you further contact persons if necessary. Feel free to contact our experts.
24. Who helps me with the application for tool aids?
Due to our experiences of more than 20 years in this branch, we have a broad network to top performers. We are happy to personally and individually council you.
25. What if the tool aids were not approved in time?
The BliZ can resort to a wide range of tool aids. We are happy to support you with fitting technical tool aids during the transition time.
26. Can I come to THM beforehand?
Feel free to arrange an appointment with us. We look forward to your visit. If necessary, we offer a videoconference appointment due to the situation of the pandemic.
27. Is there a short video for a small insight?
Yes. The BliZ is introduced in the seventh video of the “Virtual Campus Tour” (Virtuelle Campustour - #007).
28. How did the BliZ come to be?
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Erdmuthe Meyer zu Bexten was introduced to the field of orthopaedic and rehabilitation equipment (technical tool aids for people with special requirements) during her work at the university of Dortmund in collaboration with the Volmarstein Foundation. She discovered that there was little to no special support for people with disabilities at German colleges. To improve the situation, she founded the centre for blind and visually impaired students (BliZ) in 1998.
29. How many employees are employed in the BliZ?
The BliZ is directed by Prof. Dr. Monika Maria Möhring. Andreas Deitmer, M.Sc. is deputy. If you click on the link, you will discover a list of all the employees in the BliZ, who are happy to assist you.
30. How many disabled and chronically ill people are currently studying at the BliZ?
As with all the colleges, the number fluctuates with newcomers and people leaving.
31. Who provides me an internship?
You are the initiator for both search and application. In case of need, we offer to support you with our longstanding knowhow and our broad network. Even in times of the pandemic, we will find individual and safe solutions with you.
32. How is my occupational outlook after my study?
Qualified employees are currently especially sought out in technical shaped jobs, even in times of the pandemic. A study improves the occupational outlook, especially for alumni with (heavy) disabilities, long-term.
33. Will the BliZ support me in my job-hunt?
Yes. We maintain close contacts to the federal employment agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and to potential employers. Additionally, we give recommendations to the layout of an accessible workspace.
34. Can I study dually at THM?
A full-fledged college education, intense practical experience and outstanding career opportunities: this is the perspective that StudyPlus offers motivated jung people. StudyPlus is an innovative dual study concept. Behind that are three strong partners: the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, the CompetenceCenter Duale Hochschulstudien – StudiumPlus e.V. (CCD), in which 900 partner companies and institutions are combined, as well as the Kammverbund Mittelhessen under command of the IHK Lahn-Dill.
You can find a list of the current dual studies here:
35. Can I gain my master’s degree at THM?
The BliZ supports blind and visually impaired students individually and thoroughly across all master studies at THM.
You can find a complete list of all the studies at THM here: