Oviedo approves regulations to support teaching staff with disabilities

The University of Oviedo has approved a regulation that articulates positive action measures, financial support, and a reduction in teaching loads for its teaching and research staff (PDI) with disabilities. The agreement of the academic institution’s Governing Council, dated September 25, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias (BOPA) no. 195, of October 8, 2026, with the official reference 2026-07990. The regulation will enter into force the day following its publication, that is, October 9, 2026.

The text replaces the regulation that previously governed this matter, approved by agreement on February 20, 2015, which is hereby repealed. The statement of reasons invokes the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013, Law 15/2022 for comprehensive equal treatment and non-discrimination, Organic Law 2/2023 of the University System, and Royal Decree 678/2023 on faculty accreditations and competitions. At the regional level, it cites Decree 6/2012 and the University Statutes, approved by Decree 77/2024, of December 5.

Scope of Application and Positive Action Measures

The regulation applies to the PDI of the University of Oviedo with recognized disabilities, whether they are civil servants or under temporary or indefinite employment contracts. To access the measures, it is necessary to certify a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33 percent, recognized by the competent body in accordance with article 4 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/2013.

The planned measures are divided into two blocks:

• Economic measures for the development of teaching and research functions.
• Measures for support and assistance in teaching and research.

Additionally, PDI may request the adaptation of their position and work environment, subject to a prior risk assessment. The processing will be coordinated between the human resources, risk prevention, diversity or equality units, and the assigned center, department, or service.

Material Support and Working Conditions

The University of Oviedo will assume, through the Prevention Service, the acquisition of accessible materials and instruments, including digital platforms and computer equipment, following a risk assessment of the position. The following guarantees will be applied in the distribution of teaching and research tasks:

• Those with mobility issues will conduct teaching and research in accessible facilities.
• The assignment of activities in campuses distant from each other will be avoided.
• The department will assign compatible teaching duties when the PDI certifies the need to attend enablement processes, rehabilitation, medical or psychological treatments, and periodic social care.

Reduction of Teaching Load

When the previous measures prove insufficient, the PDI (Teaching and Research Staff) may request a reduction in their teaching load from the vice-rectorate with competencies in faculty affairs, justified by medical reports issued or endorsed by the Occupational Risk Prevention Service. The reduction, whether temporary or permanent, shall be adjusted according to these brackets for full-time dedication:

• Between 33 and 49 percent disability: 25-hour reduction.
• Between 50 and 74 percent: 40-hour reduction.
• At least 75 percent: 60-hour reduction.

For part-time dedication, the corresponding proportion shall be applied. The applicant must sign a sworn statement declaring that they will not engage in other paid teaching activities during the reduction period, and may voluntarily waive the measure.

Resolution, deadlines, and job reservation

The vice-rector with competencies in faculty affairs shall resolve the requests within one month, based on the reports from the Prevention Service and the Health and Safety Committee of the University of Oviedo. In public job offers for PDI, the minimum percentage established by current regulations shall be reserved for civil servant positions within university teaching bodies and permanent labor staff. Those who pass the selection process must have a compatibility report, assessed taking into account possible adaptations.

The regulation also mandates maintaining updated statistics, distributed by departments and positions, of PDI with disabilities, and subjects the processing of personal, academic, and clinical data to Organic Law 3/2018 and European Union Regulation 2016/679, considering health data as a special category.

The regulation expressly protects this group against any unfavorable treatment: the request, recognition, or enjoyment of reductions, adaptations, or supports may not generate direct or indirect discrimination nor prejudice to the professional career. With this regulation, the University of Oviedo transforms previously scattered measures into regulated rights and establishes, for the first time, specific teaching reduction brackets linked to the accredited degree of disability.

Source: Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias, no. 195 of October 8, 2026, I. Principality of Asturias (Other Provisions), pp. 1-4 (official reference: 2026-07990).