Staff and People with Disabilities
Disability is everyone's business.
In 70 percent of cases, a disability develops during a person’s career. Furthermore, the disability is mostly invisible. It can take many forms (hearing loss, herniated discs, inflammatory diseases, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, etc.), and it generally goes unnoticed unless the person affected mentions it to those around them, both personally and professionally.
In addition to the accommodations required by regulation, the “UM ” proposes concrete and specific measures regarding the recruitment, support, retention, and participation of people with disabilities in on-campus and off-campus activities. These measures are described in the “UM ’s Multi-Year Disability Action Plan (SDPH).”
Essential Services: Handiversité and the Joint Service for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS)
Are you interested in working at theUM, or are you a university employee who wants to know if your health condition qualifies as a disability? Do you have questions about the accommodations the university offers? Come meet with us!
The Handiversité department and the SCMPPS work closely together to provide you with personalized and confidential support throughout your career. Both departments participate in the disability accommodation committee for staff, which meets monthly. This committee allows individual situations to be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team.
The Handiversité Service
The Handiversité staff office is here to assist you with your needs through a variety of initiatives:
- an initial consultation to obtain information in complete confidence before even beginning the process of obtaining Recognition of Status as a Worker with a Disability (RQTH);
- preparing the RQTH application package, which, under certain conditions, entitles the applicant to benefits and financial assistance;
- workstation adjustments recommended by the SCMPPS occupational health physician (ergonomic equipment, funding for hearing aids, telework due to a disability, reduced workload, etc.);
- providing information to staff and raising awareness about disability among the university community;
- referral to other contacts based on the individual’s situation and with the agent’s prior consent.
Contact:
Campus Life Office
Handiversité Office
Montpellier, Triolet Campus, Ground Floor, Building 5
04 67 14 48 53 / 23
Email
The SCMPPS
The SCMPPS works with you to assess your needs during a medical evaluation in order to determine recommendations for workplace accommodations and issue them for implementation by the Handiversité department.
Contacts:
- SCMPPS Triolet Branch
, Montpellier, Triolet Campus, Building 16
04 67 14 30 73
Email - SCMPPS Downtown Branch
, Montpellier; Institute of Biology
, 04 34 43 30 87;
; Email
Career Information
Contract-based hiring of BOE (individuals subject to the employment obligation)
Each year, the University opens positions for recruitment on a contractual basis for individuals recognized as having a disability to perform administrative, research, or healthcare duties. This is an additional pathway allowing individuals recognized as having a disability to secure permanent positions in the civil service, in addition to the standard competitive examination.
Promotion of BOE civil servants through secondment
In 2024, the University is offering positions as part of a promotion process through secondment to its tenured employees with disabilities.
The National Campaign for Doctoral Contracts for People with Disabilities
Are you a student who holds a master’s degree or is enrolled in a master’s program or equivalent, and are you eligible for the mandatory employment requirement? Would you like to continue or resume your studies toward a Ph.D.?
You may be eligible for a doctoral contract for people with disabilities
Since 2011, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research , and Space (MESRE) has been implementing a program to award doctoral contracts specifically reserved for students with disabilities.
The University of Montpellier, which places great importance on efforts to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities, is participating in the “Doctorate for People with Disabilities” campaign and is thus demonstrating its support for students who hold a master’s degree (or are enrolled in a master’s program or equivalent), have submitted a thesis proposal, and are recognized as eligible for the mandatory employment quota (BOE).
For more information on the Ph.D. program, you may find it helpful to visit the national Ph.D. portal, sponsored by the MESRE.
1. Overview and Terms of the Doctoral Contract
Successful applicants will be offered a three-year (36-month) contract, subject to re-enrollment in the doctoral program each year.
In addition, the University of Montpellier is committed to funding a doctoral degree program for students with disabilities using its own resources, in accordance with the provisions set forth in the institution’s Multi-Year Disability Master Plan.
The doctoral program must be conducted at a research institution under the supervision of the University of Montpellier. Students must enroll in a doctoral program at the University of Montpellier in one of its nine doctoral schools. An information sheet listing the research units and doctoral specializations offered is available atUM.
2. Compiling the Application Materials and Timeline
Every year, the calendar and documents are updated and made available in January or February.
Interested candidates should contact a thesis advisor as soon as possible to present their research proposal.
Interested applicants must contact the Handiversité office by March 6, 2026—the strict deadline—so that the office can assist them in preparing their application:
- Information and discussion session: March 12–20, 2026;
- Deadline for submitting applications to the Handiversité office: by April 1, 2026;
- Announcement of results by the Handiversité department:first half of July 2026.
Contact:
Phone: 04 67 14 48 23 or 53
Email
Download the fact sheets and sample documents:
- 2026 Application Package
- Request for an Extension of a Doctoral Contract for Individuals with Disabilities
3. Required Documents
- The application form, completed and signed by the thesis advisor, the doctoral school, the research unit, and the institution.
- A resume that includes a mailing address, phone number, and email address.
- The thesis proposal (maximum 4 pages, excluding the bibliography), including a tentative three-year timeline—relevance and feasibility—and a statement of purpose.
The application must be written in French, but the thesis proposal may be written in English. - A copy of your degree (master's or equivalent).
- A copy of the transcripts from the bachelor's through the master's degree.
- Proof of status as a beneficiary of the Employment Obligation: a copy of the notification of the decision granting RQTH status, or proof that an application has been accepted and is currently under review by the Departmental Office for People with Disabilities (MDPH).
Other Useful Services
Social Assistance
TheUM offers specific financial assistance for participating in sports or cultural activities, with no income requirements, to employees who have been granted Recognition of Status as a Disabled Worker (RQTH):
- an increase in individual grants for access to culture (performance vouchers and book vouchers);
- an increase in individual financial assistance for participating in sports or cultural activities (awarded regardless of income).
Other forms of assistance are available; please contact the Social Services and Recreation Department and the social service assistants for more information.
Contacts:
- SASL Email
- Email for social service assistants
- Learn more about social initiatives and social benefits
Sports and Culture
The “UM ” is committed to raising awareness about disabilities and promoting the participation of people with disabilities in campus and off-campus life.
Sports
SUAPS offers free sports activities for staff and can adapt certain activities for people with disabilities.
Culture
The Art & Culture Department offers hands-on art workshops, meetings with artists, the “Culturesponsable” program in partnership with local theaters, tours of cultural venues, and much more… Some events and performances are translated into French Sign Language (LSF) or feature audio description.
University Libraries (BU)
The 12 university libraries of theUM are managed by the joint library services department, which offers services tailored to your needs.
