Authorised entity for accessible literature

Accessible literature is a key part of the journey towards an inclusive university. Since December 2022, the Office for Students with Disabilities at the University of Hamburg has been registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office as an authorized agency—the fourth university in Germany to do so  (DPMA | Authorized entities).

What are authorized entities?

Authorised entities are establishments providing education or accessible reading or information access on a non—profit basis to people with a visual impairment or reading disability (section 45c (3) of the Copyright Act). The authorized entity is permitted to save this accessible version and, if necessary, to provide it to other authorized individuals or entities.

Nevertheless, the authorized entity cannot be tasked with this responsibility; that is, to ensure the accessible implementation of academic materials, decentralized solutions must be identified and developed within the university network (media centers, e—learning offices, libraries, etc.) to enable tailored, needs—based implementation for eligible individuals with specific needs, thereby ensuring equal opportunities and a discrimination—free academic experience.

Successful measure

With the establishment of the authorized entity, an initiative from the Hamburg State Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as a sub—goal of the UHH’s diversity strategy under the strategic action area of accessibility, was successfully implemented.

Use the service

To use the services of the authorized entity, please contact our office via the E-Mail: befugte-stelle"AT"uni-hamburg.de . You will also need proof of a visual or reading impairment (pursuant to Section 45b, Paragraph 2), which you must submit to us as part of the document collection process. Students and staff should use their UHH email address when communicating with the authorized entity.