A new law signed by President Karol Nawrocki will significantly enhance support for individuals with disabilities pursuing postgraduate studies starting January 2027.
Breakthrough in Postgraduate Studies: Who Benefits from New Privileges?
From 2027, individuals with disabilities applying for or participating in postgraduate studies will receive broader institutional support. President Karol Nawrocki has signed a legislative amendment concerning higher education, prepared by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Specific changes are outlined below.
Assistant, Translator, and IT Equipment – What Will Universities Fund?
New regulations will allow higher education institutions to finance solutions that facilitate recruitment and learning for people with disabilities in postgraduate programs. Crucially, these funds will not be disbursed directly to participants as scholarships. Instead, universities will receive financial resources for organizing accessible learning and recruitment conditions. This includes providing assistants, sign language interpreters, specialized computer equipment, and appropriately adapted teaching materials. The new provisions will enable universities to prepare audio recordings, materials with larger font sizes, and adapt examination formats, for example, from written to oral.
68 Million Zloty in Play: Ending Support Fund Waste
The ministry emphasizes that these changes will not increase budget expenditures but aim to improve the utilization of existing funds. Last year, 68 million PLN was allocated for creating supportive conditions for the education of people with disabilities; however, an average of 20% to 30% of these funds remained unused.
Decision in Committee Hands: How Will Funds Be Distributed from 2027?
Funds will be allocated to universities based on the number and type of disabilities of individuals studying at each institution. University committees for people with disabilities will determine the methods of support distribution. The new regulations will take effect in January 2027.
Postgraduate Studies Accessible for People with Disabilities: 270 Individuals to Benefit
Previously, similar support exclusively covered students and doctoral candidates. The ministry noted that prior regulations did not provide a basis for financing assistance for postgraduate study participants. According to data from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, these new solutions will encompass approximately 270 individuals. In comparison, around 23,000 individuals with disabilities are currently studying at universities, and 455 are pursuing doctoral degrees.