Disabilities at the Politecnico di Milano

17 May 2021

There are approximately 1000 students with disabilities and DSA at Politecnico di Milano. 230 new freshmen have enrolled for the 2020/2021 academic year. The Politecnico's Multi Chance team is dedicated on a daily basis to making it possible for them to participate fully in university, accompanying them throughout their careers, from orientation to post-graduate work placement.

For over 15 years the Politecnico di Milano has had a multidisciplinary and personalised approach to supporting students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders. Today, in our University they represent 2% of the entire student population. The team Multi Chance, present within the new Equal Opportunities Unit, in the 2019-2020 academic year guaranteed support to 1023 people: 76% were diagnosed with DSA, while the remaining 24% included all students with motor, visual and hearing disabilities, but also with organic, psychic or cognitive pathologies. Below we present the data of students with disabilities and DSA divided by gender, school and specific pathology:

In order to guarantee support for academic attendance and encourage their inclusion in the life of the university, the Politecnico has a team of specialists in the areas of psychology, education, information technology and architecture: the joint design of individual and personalised strategic solutions allows for a participatory experience and adequate autonomy on campus, which is also gratifying for those who live with disabilities or learning difficulties.

In the university world, students can thus experience the development of an adult and aware self, able to cultivate professional, cultural, scientific, emotional and social interactions. Finally, targeted and personalised support is guaranteed to students belonging to protected categories, as provided for by Law 68/99. 95% of graduates who fall into the protected categories have found work within a year of graduation.