Disability support

School accessibility

The ENSAI building is fully compliant with accessibility standards for people with restricted mobility. All floors are accessible by elevator and have adequately equipped toilets. A magnetic loop system is available in classroom 13, and floor markings have been added on the first floor for the visually impaired.

Moreover, the infermerie can be used as a break room for requesting students. 

Requesting an academic accommodation

Depending on your needs, several types of accommodation may be granted.

Academic accommodations can be:

• human (notetaking, sign language translator, etc.);
• organizational (exemption from attendance for medical reasons, staggering or postponement of schooling, adapted course materials, tutoring, etc.);
• technical (voice synthesis, magnetic loop, adapted seat, etc.).

Exam accommodations can be :  

• human (subject reading, examination secretary, etc.);
• organizational (third time, exam composition in a separate room, breaks between exams, exam modalities, conditional exemption from exams, etc.);
• technical (computer, adapted seat, etc.).

ENSAI can also offer other accomodations and assistance:  

• adapting the terms of the mandatory period abroad; 
• help with finding internships and/or jobs;
• identifying sports and cultural activities suited to the student’s disability…

The application form for academic accommodation is available on MyENSAI, the school’s intranet.

An appropriate medical certificate is required to receive accommodation. ENSAI’s management notifies the student of any special possible arrangements.

Recognition as a disabled worker is not compulsory, except in the case of a request for subsidy of a compensatory device.

Disability Unit

ENSAI’s disability unit currently includes two people. Their role can be defined as follows:

• to be the main point of contact for current and future ENSAI students with disabilities;  
• to convey a culture of equal opportunity and non-discrimination within our school, by raising awareness of the various situations of disability and fostering a general climate of respect on the part of both students and staff;  
• be familiar with administrative procedures and organizations specializing in assistance and support for people with disabilities, and forge operational partnerships;  
• ensure that people with disabilities receive upstream information on ENSAI’s recruitment conditions, and on how to adapt admission tests (in particular via the entrance exam, open days, the welcome booklet, etc.);
• coordinate the study of students’ requests for accommodations, and then forward the accommodations approved by management to the school’s various departments;
• facilitating the smooth running of the curriculum for students with disabilities, by providing personalized support and assistance: adaptations required for access to premises, teaching, work experience (by enabling access to internships) and international mobility on an equal footing with all other ENSAI students;
• prepare students with disabilities for the workplace by putting them in touch with companies to ensure their successful integration.
• participate in the activities of the Handicap group of the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles, to build on its work and make the most of its tools, and to share best practices between referents.

Disability in higher education

Atypie-Friendly is a national program to make higher education inclusive for people with neurodevelopmental disorders. It is aimed at people with autism, and will progressively be extended to other neurodevelopmental disorders: attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, dys disorders, etc.  

The program comprises the following modules, which are mobilized according to the needs of each student:

• Education and awareness-raising for teachers, staff and students, partners…
• Preparing for entry into higher education (identifying those potentially affected, individual transition plan)
• Use of digital tools for learning purposes
• Pedagogical adjustments (curriculum adaptation, pedagogical innovations)
• Setting up support activities (Asperger’s cafés, etc.) and seeking support solutions from partners for everyday needs.
• Partnerships with companies to build a progressive path to professional integration

Various schemes enable all students to study abroad:

• the Erasmus + grant is to be requested directly from ENSAI’s Office of International Relations. Applications take between 6 and 12 months to process before you can begin your stay abroad.
• Erasmus+ can cover additional expenses related to disability or long-term illness: the financial supplement can be a lump sum or based on actual expenses, depending on the needs expressed by students.
• international mobility assistance for students with grants.  

Learn more about accommodation for entrance exams