Special Learning Needs

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Assistance to students with special learning needs (disability or learning disability)

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences strives to ensure an open and friendly study environment for all students with special learning needs. The goal of the University is to create conditions in which students can study and feel as a part of the University community. In order to achieve the above goals, the focus is on the individual needs of the student, depending on the nature of the student’s health disorder and his/her capabilities.  

WHO ARE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS?

Students with special learning needs are students who have:

  • a disability: developmental, sensory, physical or other congenital or acquired disorders;
  • learning, behavioral, emotional, speech and speaking disorders.

Special learning needs shall be documented by a specialist.

COORDINATING COMMISSION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Coordinating Commission for Students with Disabilities coordinates the study process of students with special learning needs. If questions about assistance in the study process arise, students with special learning needs should contact a member of the Commission representing the faculty where the student studies. President of the Commission – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rūta Butkevičienė.

Composition of the LSMU Coordinating Commission for Students with Disability:

Name, SurnameDepartmentContacts
Assoc. Prof. Rūta Butkevičienė
(Chair of the Commission)
Faculty of Public Health
Department of Bioethics 
ruta.butkevičienė@lsmu.lt
Prof. Albina AniulienėFaculty of Veterinary
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology 
albina.aniuliene@lsmu.lt
Prof. Ramunė MorkūnienėFaculty of Pharmacyramune.morkuniene@lsmu.lt
Prof. Ingrida BalnytėFaculty of Medicineingrida.balnyte@lsmu.lt
Prof. Arūnas Vasiliauskas Faculty of Odontology
Department of Odontology
arunas.vasiliauskas@lsmu.lt
Assoc. Prof. Jurgita Dailidavičienė Faculty of Veterinary
Department of Anatomy and Physiology
Study Center
jurgita.dailidaviciene@lsmu.lt
Jevgenij RazgulinInternational Relations and Study Centerjevgenij.razgulin@lsmu.lt
Assoc. Prof. Evaldas ŠlyžiusFaculty of Animal Science evaldas.slyzius@lsmu.lt
Assoc. Prof. Jūratė Samėnienė Faculty of Nursing
Rehabilitation Clinic  
jurate.sameniene@lsmu.lt
Assoc. Prof. Sigitas MingailaFaculty of Nursing
Rehabilitation Clinic  
sigitas.mingaila@lsmu.lt
Dr. Daiva KriukelytėFaculty of Nursing
Department of Nursing and Care 
daiva.kriukelyte@lsmu.lt
Dr. Tomas MorkevičiusFaculty of Nursing
Rehabilitation Clinic 
tomas.morkevicius@lsmu.lt
Skirmantė DeksnytėStudy Center skirmante.deksnyte@lsmu.lt
Martyna Vengrytė Faculty of Pharmacy
Student of the Pharmacy study program 
martyna.vengryte@stud.lsmu.lt

The Study Regulation of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences stipulates that students may report for work in alternative ways if they have a disability due to which they cannot report in accordance with the established procedure, and the alternative report method ensures that study results are achieved.

LSMU Rector’s Order No. 2021-V-0299 of 26 May 2021 approved the Procedure for Submitting Documents and Reporting by LSMU Students with Special Learning Needs in Alternative Ways. Under this Procedure, students with special learning needs, depending on the nature of the special need, may be able to report about the assessments provided in the module (subject) in alternative ways, adapting the study environment to individual needs, presentation of material, font size of assessment tasks, extending the time of the report, etc.

Students shall submit an electronic application form for an alternative report method within seven calendar days from the beginning of the academic year, as well as documents confirming special learning needs to the Dean’s Office where they study. Residents shall submit such documents to the Center for Postgraduate Studies, doctoral students to the Research Center. Students studying in a foreign language shall submit not only the documents, but also a translation of these documents into English by a professional translator if the documents are not submitted in Lithuanian and English. Student data and submitted documents are confidential. Applications submitted by students shall be examined by responsible persons appointed by the Dean’s Office, who assess the suitability of the documents for allowing an alternative method of report to the student. These staff may invite the student for an interview to clarify the information or discuss an alternative report method. The final decision allowing an alternative report method is made by the Dean of the faculty. A student with special learning needs shall inform the subject teacher about the alternative assessment methods for him/her at the beginning of the subject studies but not later than five working days before the first assessment.

Each person’s special learning needs are individual, so individual alternative assessment methods are applied in each case. Alternative assessment methods, which are of a recommendatory nature and can be selected according to the emerging needs of a particular student, are presented in Appendix 1 to the Procedure for Submission of Documents and Assessment by Alternative Methods for LSMU Students with Special Educational Needs.

LSMU students with special needs participating in Erasmus+ mobility activities can receive additional financial support. Support may be granted for:

  • additional costs for means and/or services, depending on the nature of the illness and/or disability. The need for these costs shall be substantiated by medical records, i.e., the need for means and or services for which additional support is requested shall be confirmed by an extract from medical documents issued by a doctor;
  • living and travel expenses of the accompanying person, if justified.

More information (in Lithuanian).

For detailed information, please contact:

Erasmus+ studies: Monika Grincaitė, monika.grincaite@lsmu.lt

Erasmus+ practice: Deimantė Sidaraitė, deimante.sidaraite@lsmu.lt

The accessibility of physical environment for the disabled is improving every year at the University. Many LSMU buildings are suitable for the disabled. New buildings are built in accordance with the principle of universal design, and those renovated are adapted for the disabled by installing elevators, ramps, stair climbers, emergency calls, etc. LSMU used the project funds of the EU Structural Funds Investment Operational Program for 2014–2020 not only to ensure the accessibility of education for students with special needs, but also to improve the study conditions and quality for students with disabilities. Equipment and furniture are purchased for the installation of specialized workplaces for students with disabilities; the infrastructure is adapted. The Bellman Audio Domino Pro system purchased for the LSMU library is intended for people with hearing impairments. The University purchased software JAWS 14 for Windows and WinTalkerVoice1.6 JAWS 14 for Windows, which analyzes information on the screen and passes it to a speech synthesizer that converts text to audio. The library at the Veterinary Academy is adapted and has equipment for students with special needs: specialized desks, video magnifier Freedom Scientific Topaz XL HD, audio equipment Freedom Scientific SARA CE (analyzing information on the screen and transmitting it to a speech synthesizer that converts text to Lithuanian and English languages) and the Humanware Brailliant Braille display with voice over function, which provides on-screen audio. More and more dormitories are adapted for students with mobility and other disabilities, so students have the opportunity to stay in dormitory rooms adapted for them.

At the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, students can get free psychological help:

  • individual psychological consultations;
  • participate in psychological groups;
  • participate in training or preventive events instructed by psychologists.
More information