The Accessibility Unit for People with Disabilities and People with Special Educational Needs, which operates at IHU is designated as the Institution’s Reference Point for monitoring the implementation of the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and for drafting and submitting to the Sectoral Reference Point of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, as provided for in Article 71 of Law 4488/2017 (Government Gazette A’ 137), proposals and legislative regulations for the optimal implementation of the Convention in Higher Education Institutions, as well as an annual progress report, and for conducting consultations with members of the academic community with disabilities on the above matters.

The mission of the Accessibility Unit for People with Disabilities and People with Special Educational Needs is to ensure the full participation of members of the university community who are persons with disabilities and persons with special educational needs in all educational, research, and administrative activities carried out by the International Hellenic University.

The Accessibility Unit is staffed at the International Hellenic University campuses in Sindos and Serres, while it also provides support services to the branches in Katerini and Kilkis, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all members of the university community with disabilities and/or special educational needs, across the entire range of the Institution’s structures.

Among the responsibilities of the Unit are:

• the implementation of the University’s Equal Access Plan,
• support for access to the educational process, particularly through appropriate accessible textbooks, educational material, and interpretation services,
• support for alternative methods of assessment for students with disabilities and special educational needs, according to their needs and educational capabilities,
• ensuring and facilitating physical accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly through the provision of transportation and escort services,
• the provision of psychosocial support and guidance to persons with disabilities and persons with special educational needs,
• cooperation with Liaison Officers for the support of students with disabilities and special educational needs.

The full scope of the Unit’s responsibilities is set out in its Internal Rules of Operation.