Staff and people with disabilities
Disability is everyone's concern.
In 70% of cases, a disability develops during a person’s career. Furthermore, disabilities are often invisible. They can take many forms—such as hearing loss, herniated discs, inflammatory conditions, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, and so on—and generally go unnoticed unless the person affected mentions them to their personal or professional circle.
In addition to the measures required by regulations, UM offers concrete and specific initiatives regarding the recruitment, support, retention, and participation of people with disabilities in both on-campus and off-campus activities. These initiatives are outlined in UM’s Multi-Year Disability Action Plan (SDPH).
Essential services: Handiversité and the Joint Office for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS)
Are you interested in working at UM, 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 service and the SCMPPS work closely together to provide you with personalized and confidential support throughout your career. Both services 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 Human Resources Office of the Handiversité department is here to assist you with your needs through a variety of services:
- an initial consultation to obtain confidential information before committing to the process of obtaining Recognition of Disabled Worker Status (RQTH);
- preparing the application for RQTH status, which, under certain conditions, entitles the applicant to benefits and financial assistance;
- workstation modifications recommended by the SCMPPS occupational health physician (ergonomic equipment, funding for hearing aids, telework due to disability, reduced workload, etc.);
- providing information to staff and raising awareness of disability issues within 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 will assist you in assessing 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
Hiring under contract for BOE (beneficiaries of the employment obligation)
Each year, the University opens positions for recruitment on a contractual basis for individuals with recognized disabilities to fill administrative, research, or healthcare roles. This is an additional pathway enabling individuals with recognized disabilities 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 through a promotion process involving secondment to its permanent employees with disabilities.
The National Campaign for Doctoral Contracts for People with Disabilities
Are you a student currently enrolled in a master’s program or its equivalent, and eligible for the mandatory employment requirement? Are you interested in continuing or resuming your studies toward a Ph.D.?
You may be eligible for a disability-related doctoral contract
Since 2011, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Space (MESRE) has been implementing a program to award doctoral fellowships specifically for students with disabilities.
The University of Montpellier places great importance on initiatives aimed at promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities. It is participating in the “Doctorate for People with Disabilities” campaign, thereby demonstrating its support for students who hold a master’s degree (or are enrolled in a master’s program or equivalent), have a thesis proposal, and are recognized as eligible for the mandatory employment quota (BOE).
For more information on doctoral programs, we recommend visiting the national doctoral platform, managed by the MESRE.
1. Overview and Terms of the Doctoral Contract
Successful applicants will be offered a three-year (36-month) contract, subject to annual re-enrollment in the doctoral program.
In addition, the University of Montpellier is committed to funding a doctoral contract for students with disabilities using its own resources, in accordance with the provisions set forth in the institution’s Multi-Year Disability Action Plan.
The doctoral program must be conducted within a research unit under the supervision of the University of Montpellier. Students must enroll in a doctoral program at the University of Montpellier through one of its nine doctoral schools. An information sheet lists the research units and doctoral specializations offered at the University of Montpellier.
2. 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, at the latest; the office will assist them in putting together 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 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 your transcripts from your bachelor's to your master's degree.
- Proof of eligibility under the Employment Obligation: a copy of the notification of approval for 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
The University of Marseille offers specific financial assistance for participating in sports or cultural activities, with no income requirements, to staff members 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 or a social worker for more information.
Contacts:
- SASL Email
- Email for social service assistants
- Learn more about social initiatives and social benefits
Sports and Culture
The University of Marseille is committed to raising awareness about disabilities and promoting the participation of people with disabilities in campus and community life.
Sports
SUAPS offers free sports activities for staff and can adapt certain activities for people with disabilities.
Culture
The Arts & 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 interpreted in French Sign Language (LSF) or feature audio description.
University Libraries (BU)
The 12 university libraries at UM are managed by the Central Library Services, which offers tailored services.
