Support of students with special needs at the Czech Technical University in Prague

Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) had in the past two independent units supporting students with special needs. The first one was TEREZA, centre for support of visually impaired university students, established in frame of a TEMPUS project led by Jan Mares in 1992. The second one was Handicap consultancy, part of the Centre of information and consultancy services, established in 2007 and focused on students with other than visual impairments. In 2012 both units were integrated into a new centre supporting students with special needs - ELSA. Organizationally it is a part of the study department of the Rector´s office. The main aim of ELSA is to provide, information, support and services to students with special needs. The paper presents an overview of university centres supporting students with special needs across the country and describes in more detail work of the ELSA centre at CTU Prague.