Creating a supportive environment
We aim to provide a supportive environment that allows all individuals to flourish, and actively encourage applications from disabled people. We are committed to widening access to Higher Education and provide a range of services to enable those with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (SpLD) to access their chosen course.
To accomplish this we offer:
- Adjustments to formal timed examinations, including extra time, readers and scribes, use of computers and rest breaks, subject to receiving appropriate evidence of disability.
- Digital recorders for loan to enable you to record your teaching sessions.
- Assistance in the library to help you find your find way around through colour-coded subject areas, accessible spine labels and assistance if you are unable to access the shelving systems.
- An individualised Disability Action Plan that gives staff an overview of the impact of your disability/SpLD and details the adjustments that you require. This is shared, with your permission, with teaching and professional services staff, as well as placement providers (where placements are an integral part of course). We aim to discuss this with you to ensure that these adjustments reflect your needs.
- Access to a range of non-medical help services such as practical support, note-taking, specialist mentoring and study skills. To access these services, you or the university may need to apply to your funding body for assistance to meet these costs. Whilst this process is on-going, you will be allocated university funded support to meet your initial needs. If you are unable to access any funding, the team will discuss your situation with you and where appropriate, continue to support you. Please note that where these services are externally funded , support may be provided by external organisations. Please be assured these organisations will be accredited providers.
- All of our campuses have accessible learning and teaching spaces and adapted residential accommodation. Our aim is to have all our teaching and learning spaces fully accessible and with classroom technology to support you. Please see the university physical accessibility disability statement.
- Assistance with accessing additional allowances, such as Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs), which covers some of the costs of additional support. *We are mindful of the on-going external changes to funding such as DSA which will be increasing the level of adjustments required to promote accessibility to courses and premises. Please see our university Disability Baseline Statement detailing our current level of anticipatory reasonable adjustments. This document will be updated annually.
- Our IT facilities promote accessibility with accessible work stations on each campus, access to a range of assistive software, and a selection of over 100 free accessibility apps for everyone to use.