The aim of the project was to investigate the academic success of students with chronic illnesses and disabilities, using the University of Kassel as an example, and to analyze the effectiveness, in particular, of disadvantage compensation in examinations, psychosocial counseling, health promotion, disability-related social services, and students' social networks on academic success or dropout. The study uses a mixed-methods design and consists of three modules.

Under the direction of Dr. Swetah Mishra, INCHER was responsible for Module 2, this sub-project is based on a qualitative design. The module used grounded theory to analyze qualitative interviews and focuses on disadvantage compensation, social benefits, social networks, and influence on academic success.

Module 1 was based on a quantitative empirical research design. All approximately 25,000 students at the University of Kassel were surveyed on health and academic success, disadvantage compensation, study-related and psychosocial counseling, health promotion, and social inclusion at 2 measurement time points.

In Module 3, a comprehensive research and analysis of the German and Hessian law for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses at universities and its application was performed.

The results on the legal situation has been contrasted with the results from modules 1 and 2. The study integrated both quantifiable influencing factors and subjective evaluations of the students as well as their perception of social support and networks. Another distinctive feature was the interdisciplinary approach and cooperation from the fields of health sciences, higher education, rehabilitation and disability law. In the end, the findings were used to develop suggestions for "best practices" for compensating disadvantages and social services in order to sustainably promote the academic success of students with disabilities and illnesses.