Team Barrierefrei - Accessibility


Disability Advisory Service for Personnel

Photo of Shirley Thruner

Dear members of the university!

My name is Shirley Thurner and I have been the Disability Liaison Officer at the University of Applied Arts Vienna since March 2017.

During my work at the Angewandte (2012 - 2019 room coordination and since Oct. 2019 in event management) I came into contact with numerous university members, which motivated me to stand up for the interests of people with disabilities.

My main focus is on general concerns of people who feel restricted in different ways at Angewandte and who can turn to me with topics, questions or concerns - be it with regard to a suitable infrastructure (furniture, equipment, aids, etc.), be it with questions through information (further links or correct contact persons) or be it just through an open conversation.

In cooperation with the Rectorate, I also take care of obtaining and complying with the rights of "beneficiaries with disabilities" of the artistic and scientific staff as well as general staff, e.g. by taking them into account when hiring new staff or through an awareness campaign within the university.

I will endeavour to find a solution and, of course, maintain discretion. It is often only a lack of information or a sense of shame that prevents authorised persons from taking appropriate measures to improve their situation (e.g. by using a microphone connection with hearing aids, translation into sign language, etc.) or to assert claims with the Social Ministry Service for staff.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions in connection with impairments!
 

My contact details:
Shirley Thurner
Office adress: 3., Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7, groundfloor
Landline: +43-1-71133-6307

Officer for students with disabilities

Photo of Veronika Merklein  Text:
 
On leave from March - August 2025. Substituted by Alexander Draxl

My name is Veronika Merklein and I am an officer for students with disabilities since summer 2022. Besides my job as an exchange coordinator for incoming students, I have been providing support for disabled and impaired students at the University of Applied Arts Vienna.
 
I myself am used to not fitting in on a daily basis. This experience and my more than ten years of artistic and activist work have sensitized me to diversification and inclusion. To make our university more accessible, is a personal concern for me.
 
My approach is not to follow a catalogue of measures, but to focus on the individual needs and questions in the center of attention. Concerns can only be seen and improved when they reach me, which is why I also encourage to approach me proactively.

My contact details:

Alexander Draxl PhD (on leave Mag.a Veronika Merklein)                                  
Office address: Georg-Coch-Platz (Former Postsparkasse, International Office), Georg-Coch-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna, Room: 023
Entrance: Dominikanerbastei 16 or barrierfree through Wiesinger Strasse 4
E-mail: barrierefrei@uni-ak.ac.at                                  
Landline: +43-1-71133-3174  

Consultation hour: Wed, 15:30 - 18:00 (Please make an appointment in advance)
Contact / Help

Team Barrierefrei - Accessibility


Shirley Thurner -

Disability Advisory Service for Personnel

Office adresse: 3., Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7, ground level
Tel.: +43-1-71133-6307

Mag.a Veronika Merklein -

Officer for students with disabilities (on leave summer term 2025; substitute: Alexander Draxl)

Office address: Postsparkasse (International Office), 1st, Georg-Coch-Platz 2, Room: 010
Tel.: +43-1-71133-3173
Consultation hour: Wed, 15:30 - 18:00 (Please make an appointment in advance)

Porter Vordere Zollamtsstraße 7 (VZA 7)
+43-1-71133-3200

Porter Oskar Kokoschka Platz 2 (OKP)
+43-1-71133-2200

Porter Georg-Coch-Platz 2 (PSK)
+43-1-71133-4200