Students with disabilities need to be treated equal with others

Prof. Tomasz Smiatacz, GUMed plenipotentiary for people with disabilities interviewed by Małgorzata Omilian-Mucharska, editor-in-chief of “Gazeta MUG”

How many students with disabilities study at our University?

We only have information about people with a certified disability who have applied for a scholarship for people with disabilities. Currently, there are 74 people, of whom 9 have a severe degree of disability. This is a relatively small percentage, but we must remember that medical studies are associated with acquiring not only knowledge, but also numerous practical skills, such as various types of laboratory experiments, visual assessment of ECG and radiological images, auscultation of patients, blood pressure measurement, resuscitation or birthing. Therefore, people with a high degree of disability are more likely to choose studies that consist primarily in gaining knowledge.

What kind of disabilities are these?

Disorders of the broadly understood musculoskeletal system predominate (21 people), single people reported speech disorders and eye diseases. As many as 44 students were diagnosed with other disabilities.

Are cases of discrimination on grounds of disability reported to you?

Yes, but occasionally. We have received two such reports so far. The situations required conversations with teachers who were unaware of how their opinions and jokes were received.

What tasks does the function of a representative for people with disabilities involve?

It is, above all, providing assistance necessary to students in the course of their studies. Formally, it consists in determining the needs of a particular student related to studying, removing barriers preventing participation in the life of the academic community, including architectural barriers, transport and access to information resources, providing items or services that increase the independence of students and doctoral students with disabilities, as well as giving them independence in studying, solving major and minor current problems related to it, as well as representing students’ interests before the University authorities, the academic community and external entities. An important aspect of this work is taking action to respect the rights and proper treatment of students and doctoral students with disabilities, informing about available support programs, cultural and scientific events, meetings and other events organized for them. There is also a lot of administrative work: accepting applications, writing reports, applications, reports, orders, settlements, procedures, etc.

At this point, the main principle of the proxy’s operation is worth emphasizing: we help students achieve all the learning outcomes included in the study program, but we do not lower the assessment criteria or pass thresholds. In this way, our graduates with disabilities are, beyond any doubt, full-fledged medics capable of taking up professional work on an equal footing with their colleagues.

What problems do people with disabilities encounter at the University?

Let’s start with the infrastructure, i.e. the proverbial three steps, which for many are a significant obstacle. In this regard, we are consistently trying to eliminate these barriers as part of ongoing renovations and new investments. However, this is not possible everywhere – in the Rectorate building, for historical and architectural reasons, we are not allowed to install a lift enabling people with disabilities to access the Ombudsman’s office. Therefore, if the situation requires it, we come to meet the student in one of the office rooms in the AGN building, which is fully adapted and has an elevator. I would like to commend the MUG students who strongly support their colleagues with disabilities in overcoming architectural barriers – their creativity, empathy and strength resources are inexhaustible.

Another problem is the lack of sense and knowledge of savoir-vivre towards people with disabilities among some members of the MUG’s academic community. Disability is an administrative category, but in a personal dimension it often means hanging a label evaluating a student as a worse, less useful person. Some students feel it very painfully. In life, they focus on dealing with disability and a sense of worthlessness, they struggle with their own differences and dependence on others, and at the same time they do not want to be perceived that way, they do not want to stand out negatively, they need to be treated on an equal footing with other students. The very words “disability” or “invalid” are painful. In such an emotional situation, an innocent joke or a seemingly indifferent comment can be very traumatic. Even if the joker’s intention is benevolent, a student with a disability may often need psychological help later. It is therefore important to pay attention to the language we use to communicate, and instead of using the words I mentioned, talk about people with disabilities, and replace the term “disability” with the term “level of ability”.

It is also a delicate matter to grant the right to practice to our graduates with disabilities – after all, this is the meaning of studying in medical faculties, and that is also why we do not lower the substantive criteria for achieving learning outcomes.

How does the University try to solve problems and how does it support people with disabilities?

Let’s start with the information and administration tools. On the website we have a tab with the most important information for students and doctoral students with disabilities. Regulations for granting scholarships to people with disabilities were also created. In addition, there are regulations for spending funds from the ministerial subsidy for activities related to providing people with disabilities with conditions for full participation in the education process and conducting scientific activity at our University. We also have rules for applying for support in the form of a teaching assistant (in practice, a supporting student), additional hours of foreign language classes and purchases of specialized equipment or software by the MUG to support the learning process. It sounds very formal, but please remember that these are documents defining the rules of mutual relations between people with disabilities and the MUG. We also provide psychological support, acquire equipment, such as induction loops, and adapt the MUG’s infrastructure and website to the needs of people with disabilities. Training is also planned for teaching staff and administration in the field of sensitivity to the needs of people with disabilities, and as part of the Fahrenheit University Association, we use the possibility of mutually renting rehabilitation equipment, conducting training, cooperation and sharing experiences.

Does the MUG receive a subsidy from the state?

Yes, it depends on the number of students declaring a disability, so it is relatively modest.

How much are the scholarships for students and doctoral students with disabilities?

Their amount depends on the degree of disability and ranges from PLN 350 for students with a slight degree of disability to PLN 650 for students with a significant degree of disability.

Is there an internal regulation specifying the eligibility criteria for financial assistance?

Yes, this is done under the rules of benefits for MUG students. The application for such a scholarship (attachment no. 2 to the regulations introduced by the order of the MUG Rector No. 64/2022 of September 22, 2022) is submitted by the student himself, additionally attaching other documents, e.g. certificates confirming the degree of disability.
What reflections accompany you as a result of contacts with students with disabilities?

Our students with disabilities are unique because they have the ability to listen, increased sensitivity, and moreover, they have come into contact with those spheres of human life, the existence of which we may not even be aware of. They struggle with a lack of independence, and on the other hand, they are often outstanding in other areas. Sometimes I look at the issue of disability in a different way and wonder what “full ability” is and whether it is even possible to achieve. Each of us feels some minor handicaps and depends on the help from others from time to time, which is not pleasant. Personally, I very painfully feel the passage of time, the progressive loss of my own (never outstanding) physical and intellectual fitness, I am afraid of the lack of independence in everyday life activities. Each of us is different, and yet we will all run into our own limitations sooner or later and need external support. And maybe it’s us who need psychological preparation for the moment of confrontation with the lack of full ability. I do not mean acceptance, reconciliation with fate, but the acquisition of the ability to perceive a great variety of measures assessing the value of a person and their lives.

Thank you.


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