The Resource Center of Special Education at Tamkang University held a special education awareness seminar at 6:00 p.m. on May 6 in Conference Room B302A. The event featured Finnja Lüttmann, currently a teacher at Taipei European School and formerly an accessibility and interpretation specialist at the Disability and Studies Division (DoBuS) of TU Dortmund University. Her presentation, titled “A Guide to Studying in Germany for Students with Disabilities: The Support System at TU Dortmund University as a Case Study,” introduced the support services and operational practices available to students with disabilities in Germany, helping participants better understand the German higher education system and study-abroad environment. A total of 15 students attended the seminar.

The lecture was delivered in German, with on-site interpretation provided by Michael Schoen from the German Division of the Department of European Languages and Cultures. The interpretation enhanced both student engagement and comprehension. Focusing on disability support systems in German higher education, Finnja Lüttmann introduced TU Dortmund University’s experience in providing services for students with disabilities, creating accessible campus environments, and offering international study resources. Using the DoBuS support system as an example, she explained the university’s comprehensive support mechanisms and service model.

She also discussed key features of Germany’s higher education system, including its tuition-free policy, internationalized learning environment, and well-developed social welfare framework. In addition, she outlined the support measures available to students with disabilities, such as examination accommodations, alternative-format learning materials, assistive technologies, learning-strategy guidance, and peer-support programs. These examples helped students gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and support structures available in Germany.

Finnja Lüttmann further introduced the German student self-advocacy organization for students with disabilities, ABeR. Through peer networking and advocacy initiatives, ABeR helps students develop a stronger sense of campus participation and social connection. She also provided practical guidance on study-abroad applications, language preparation, cultural adaptation, and administrative procedures, enabling students to better understand the challenges they may encounter while studying overseas and how to address them effectively.

The seminar generated lively interaction, with students showing strong interest in Germany’s disability support system and international learning environment. Feng-Ling Lee, a junior in the Department of Banking and Finance, shared that the seminar helped him better understand the resources available to students with disabilities who wish to study abroad, as well as strategies for adapting to unfamiliar environments. He found Germany’s higher education structure and insurance system particularly impressive, and noted that the discussion deepened his appreciation for Taiwan’s accessibility and affordability in healthcare services.