The DAAD is committed to the rights of people with disabilities. It is also taking part in the Global Disability Summit in Berlin. A report from four participants. 

Around 1.3 billion people across the globe live with a disability, 80 percent of them in the Global South. To promote equal participation in all areas of life, Germany, Jordan and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) are hosting the third Global Disability Summit (GDS) in Berlin on 2 and 3 April. The event will bring together some 3,000 stakeholders who are committed to the rights of people with disabilities and to development cooperation. The DAAD is also taking part due to ist ongoing campaign to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For example, DAAD scholarship holders can apply to have any additional costs they face on account of a disability or chronic illness reimbursed. As part of the summit, the DAAD has organised a fireside chat on “Bridging the Inclusion Gap in International Mobility and Academic Exchange”. We present four DAAD alumni who are taking part in the summit and report on their international experiences, achievements and challenges. 

Collins Losu, a visually impaired master’s student from Ghana, is studying Social Protection on a DAAD scholarship at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. Losu is one of the speakers at the DAAD’s fireside chat. 

“The inclusion of people with disabilities and development cooperation are fundamentally interconnected, as sustainable development can only be achieved if no one is left behind. The focus of development cooperation is to prioritise inclusive policies, accessible infrastructure and capacity-building programmes to ensure that the marginalised, including persons with disabilities, have equal opportunities in economic and social advancement. The Global Disability Summit (GDS) serves as a catalyst for action: it can be instrumental in encouraging governments and institutions to enforce and expand disability rights laws and in securing funding for disability-inclusive education, employment and healthcare. Moreover, the summit provides a platform for best practices, research and innovations in disability inclusion.  

The DAAD plays a crucial role in promoting disability-inclusive higher education and academic mobility, and has achieved a great deal. For example, the DAAD provides support for students with disabilities who are applying for international programmes, partners with universities to develop inclusive learning environments and advocates for policy changes that enhance accessibility in higher education. However, challenges remain. These include the need for more tailored scholarships, accessible digital resources and greater awareness among partner institutions.  

My motivation to actively contribute to the GDS stems from my deep commitment to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring their full inclusion in education, employment and global development initiatives. My key message to the participants is: Concentrate on what your disability does not prevent you from doing, and do not worry about what it interferes with. Call for support when needed and provide sensitisation where necessary.” 

Louisa Ebling is doing a bachelor’s degree in social work at the “Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Regensburg” (OTH Regensburg). In 2022/23 she spent a semester abroad at the German Jordanian University (GJU) in Amman, Jordan. 

“While studying in Amman I was struggling not only with ADHD but also with depression. That’s why I had to consider lots of issues when preparing for my stay abroad: Will I be able to get hold of the medicine I need in Jordan? Under what conditions can I take my medication into Jordan, and in which quantities? How will I find local doctors? What will medical treatment abroad cost, and how can I pay for it? Can I also get disadvantage compensation at the university abroad? Finding answers to all these questions was a real challenge. So I decided to publish a blog, featuring practical tips to help students with mental health issues cope with a semester abroad, and am delighted that other people in similar situations have already found it useful. I think it would be great if a central body could be created in Germany where people with disabilities/chronic diseases could get information about studying in another country and read about the experiences of students who have already completed a stay abroad. Thanks to the support of the DAAD, I was able to gain some valuable experience in Jordan, both on a personal and an academic level. So, what I would like to say to others in my position is: Just give it a go!” 

Idowu Adeyemi from Nigeria is studying for a Master of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt’s Willy Brandt School.  

“The blend of different and unique perspectives is what adds more value to academic endeavours. I am a person with impaired mobility and have had the privilege of enjoying a wonderful support system at the Brandt School —from having access to quality student services to classmates and faculty who care. The diversity of the student body has made the experience quite enriching for me.  

In order to improve accessibility and equity in international academic exchange programmes, I think a mentor or community to reach out to for assistance would be a great help. Scholarship funding should consider that people with disabilities always have to incur extra costs. The DAAD has made significant strides in this area. Finally, seeking feedback is crucial: there should be an ongoing system that looks into revising and improving the experiences of students with disabilities to make things work better for all. One lesson which the DAAD and German universities can learn from Global South countries is that inclusion transcends building infrastructure: it is about social acceptance, community support and consistent adaptability. In Nigeria, strong social networks help to fill the gap created by the deficit in public infrastructure. Germany can adopt this by fostering peer-led advocacy and accessibility initiatives, which will create more room for people with disabilities to shape policies instead of simply receiving recommendations.”  

Sarah Stumpe works for the City of Erlangen’s Cultural Office. In 2023 she graduated from Liverpool Hope University in the UK with a master’s in Disability Studies. 

“I already had some experience of living abroad – in Ireland – while doing my bachelor’s degree. That gave me the courage to do my entire master’s course in Liverpool, despite the fact that I’m reliant on 24-hour assistance on account of my neuromuscular disability. Local public transport in the UK is very easily accessible and even the smallest pubs and shops have a ramp, while theatres offer performances with an audio description service. No master’s degree in Disability Studies with a focus on cultural studies is available in Germany. One major hurdle I had to overcome was that the district of Middle Franconia only approved the funding for my personal assistance in Liverpool following years of legal dispute. I therefore had to front the money to cover the high costs. The DAAD scholarship helped, but without private savings and the support of my family I wouldn’t have been able to go to Liverpool. While there, I acquired the skills that I need in my job today. I work for the Erlangen Cultural Office, where I am involved in organising festivals, and also run seminars and workshops on barrier-free access and participation on a part-time basis. I did not have the chance to do my master’s degree online, but I do believe that such options can greatly help students with disabilities to overcome obstacles.”  

Transcripts: Miriam Hoffmeyer (2 April 2025)