23 Sept 2026
Cornelia Ruppert, Laura Avemarie, and Peter Zentel are advancing accessibility and inclusion in research and teaching at LMU.
© LMU
To mark Deaf Week, Ludwig Maximilians University is highlighting the importance of accessibility and German Sign Language (DGS). The chair for Special Education - focus on Hearing and Communication, including inclusive education led by Prof. Dr. Laura Avemarie, plays a central role in this effort.
Cornelia Ruppert has been part of the team since 2023. She conducts research on the education and development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and teaches German Sign Language (DGS) to prospective teachers. In doing so, she directly brings her own perspective as a deaf scholar to research and teaching. Among other things, the department investigates how linguistic and communicative prerequisites influence educational opportunities.
Research projects continue to highlight a need for more professionals proficient in sign language. Avemarie and Ruppert are therefore advocating for a stronger integration of sign language into training and education, as well as for greater participation by deaf people in research.
Prof. Dr. Peter Zentel’s chair Special Education - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is also helping to drive efforts toward a more inclusive university. As part of a research project supported by Vice President Margit Weber, researchers are examining how people with intellectual disabilities can gain access to higher education.
Deaf Week is now bringing these issues to the forefront at LMU as well: The Deaf Flag is flying at the main building as a symbol of the Deaf community’s identity and cultural diversity.
The full news article can be found in the LMU-Newsroom.