Técnico provides a set of special statutes to its students, including the Status of Student with Specific Educational Needs (SSEN). The following describes the process for requesting and implementing the support measures associated with the status of SSEN.

Who is the status of SSEN for?

This status is intended for Técnico students who present documented clinical conditions—whether temporary or permanent—that limit their full participation in academic activities, specifically regarding class attendance, assignments, laboratory work, and/or assessments.

How to apply for the Status of SSEN?

Students wishing to apply for this status must submit a request via the Connect platform (instructions in Portuguese):

• Attach documentary evidence: A clinical report, medical certificate, and/or other duly authenticated document (identifying the competent professional, their signature, professional stamp, and/or seal) attesting to the condition, its impact on academic performance, and expected duration (if applicable). Note: If the student holds a multi-use disability certificate (atestado multiusos) that does not specify the condition, impact, or needs, an additional clinical document must be provided to complement the health information;
• Indicate the condition;
• Describe the requested support measures.

After submitting the required data, if additional information is needed, the request will remain “under review,” and the student will receive an email notification regarding the necessary actions to proceed.

The request can be made at any time during the academic year but should be submitted as far in advance as possible to accommodate the approval period.

What are the steps in the process?

The steps following the request for the Status of SSEN are as follows:

• Once the request is made, it will be validated by the Academic Development Unit (NDA) and the Academic Division;
• The NDA will contact the student via email to schedule a mandatory meeting;
• During the meeting, the duration of the status will be defined, and an Individual Plan (description of the situation and support measures) will be drafted in collaboration with the student;
• After the NDA submits the Individual Plan, the student must review and, if in agreement, approve it on the Connect platform;
• To finalize the process, approval is required from the President of the Pedagogical Council and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs;
• After validation, the Individual Plan is transferred to Fénix, where it becomes available for consultation by the teaching staff of the Curricular Units in which the student is enrolled.

On Connect, students can track the stages of their request under “External Links” by accessing the workflow associated with the attribution of the status.

How long does the status last?

If authorized, the status will have a defined validity period, which may be permanent (as long as enrollment is active) or temporary, based on the submitted clinical information.

Is it possible to cancel the Status of SSEN?

Yes. If a student wishes to cancel the status before the scheduled expiration date, they must access Connect to request its cancellation.

Does the student participate in the process?

Yes. In addition to initiating the request, the student is required to schedule an individual meeting and participate actively in creating their Individual Plan, which they subsequently review and approve.

Whenever new needs are detected that justify a reformulation of support measures or established deadlines, the student should contact the NDA or the technician in charge.

Is the process confidential?

Yes. Clinical documentation and health conditions are only available to those responsible for analyzing and granting the Status of SSEN.

Information shared during the Individual Plan meeting is confidential. The resulting Individual Plan, once validated by the student, will be shared with the teaching staff of the Curricular Units in which the student is enrolled for that academic year.

Your clinical information cannot be disclosed to or requested by individuals not involved in the attribution process (see section: “What are the steps in the process?”).

This status is not recorded on the student’s final graduation documents (diploma or certificate). The status serves only to formalize the support measures required and to which the student is entitled.

What if I need help in classes or assessments?

The NDA relies on a group of student volunteers with specific training to provide support during classes and assessments (e.g., reading exam prompts, writing down answers, etc.).

Currently, this service depends on the availability of volunteers. Therefore, the request should be made as early as possible to maximize the chances of obtaining support.

If a student receives support from a peer during assessments, that peer will not receive information about the student’s condition, only the details strictly necessary for the task.

Do professors automatically receive notification of the status?

No. After the status is updated in Fénix, the student must contact the teaching staff of the Curricular Units they are enrolled in to inform them of the attribution of the status and the defined support measures, so they can jointly coordinate implementation if necessary.

Is it possible to change the Individual Plan?

Whenever a student wishes to update or review a measure or description in their status, the procedure is identical to the initial request: a new request must be submitted via the Connect platform.

Updating information may require a new meeting. In such cases, the NDA will contact the student.

Any changes implying an update to the previously submitted clinical condition must be accompanied by new, updated clinical documentation issued by a qualified health professional (see section: “How to apply for the Status of Student with Specific Educational Needs?”).

If the health situation changes and impacts the Individual Plan, the student should contact the NDA.

Note: The current status remains in effect during the update process.

I requested the Status of SSEN on paper before January 2025. Do I need to do anything?

Yes. Students who requested the status before January 2025 and did not use the Connect platform will be contacted by the NDA via email to schedule a monitoring meeting and update their status.

Where can I check my status information once it is active?

Students can check if their Status of SSEN is active in Fénix (Student » Statutes).

To consult the Individual Plan and support measures, the student must access Connect (Connect » SmarTIES » My Processes).

 

If you need any clarification, you can contact us.