We know that not everyone uses our services thinks of themselves as disabled. We use the term ‘disability’ as it’s used in Equality Law. Within this legislation, a disability is defined as any condition which has a significant adverse and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
We provide support and guidance for all disabilities and medical conditions that have lasted or are likely to last for 12 months or more. This might include: -
- Specific learning difficulties - Dyslexia, Dyspraxia / developmental coordination disorder (DCD), Dyscalculia
- Autism
- Mental Health
- Visual impairments
- Physical disability and long-term medical difficulties.
All information about students is treated in a confidential manner under data protection law. We treat any information you give us with respect, and it is only made available to others if you have given specific consent or if there are exceptional circumstances.
- We can arrange supported access to other services within the University, Students' Union and the local area such as self-help groups and representative organisations to ensure that your needs are being met.
- We aim to treat you as an individual, not as a diagnosis.
- We have an extensive referral system that we can call on to further enhance your support and ensure your individual needs are met.
- We work closely with Schools and other University Services to provide a support infrastructure that enhances and underpins the Higher Education experience of our students.
- Our Student Inclusion Advisors will be able to talk through support available based on your personal circumstances and needs and this may include putting into place reasonable adjustments.
What types of support are available?
Support will be dependent on your individual need. We want to work with you to organise and deliver your support.
- Student Inclusion Plan (SIP) SIP will be outlined in a document that details reasonable adjustments that will reduce barriers that you may face because of a disability, additional need or other barriers that affect your studies. (Formally known as LSS)
- A support worker or specialist equipment (depending on your specific needs)
- Support throughout your course
- Assistance with applying for funding for specialist equipment and/or software
- Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health difficulty, long term illness or any other disability
- If you are an apprenticeship student, or studying on a short course, you will not be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowances, but you can still access support. For more information, please contact the team. You may also be able to access support via Access to Work