Module Descriptors
- How is the University informed that a student has a disability?
- Do all students with a disability require help?
- How does the University know a disability is genuine?
- Who else needs to know if a student has a disability?
- If a student's disability makes it difficult for them to enrol on a course what can be done?
- How does the Enabling Support Team co-ordinate support?
- What is an Enabling Support Co-ordinator?
- What sort of arrangements can be put in place for a student with a disability?
- Is there anything that academic staff can do to help a student with a disabilities? ?
- What should a lecturer do if a student says they have a disability?
- What should a lecturer do if they suspect that a student has a disability?
How is the University informed that a student has a disability?
A student informs the University by ticking appropriate boxes on the UCAS form. UCAS uses disability codes for statistics. These codes are as follows:
- 1 = A specific learning difficulty (for example, dyslexia.)
- 2 = Blind or partially sighted.
- 3 = Deaf or hearing impaired
- 4 = Mobility difficulties
- 5 = Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Asperger Syndrome
- 6 = Mental Health difficulties
- 7 = Unseen Disability (for example, diabetes, epilepsy or a heart condition.)
- 8 = Multiple Disability
- 9 = A disability, special need or medical condition that is not listed above.
After enrolment, a student can also declare a disability to either Special Needs or Student Administration.
Do all students with disabilities require help?
No. If the student does not wish their disability to be taken into consideration then they do not have to disclose to anyone.
How does the University know a student has a disability?
Once a student is referred to the Enabling Support Team, he/she will be asked to come along for an interview. The Team will assess the situation and, if appropriate, inform the relevant school’s ES Co-ordinator. For certain types of assistance Enabling Support either seeks medical evidence from the student or arranges a Needs Assessment from suitably qualified practitioners or organisations.
Who else needs to know if a student has a disability?
No-one will be informed without the student’s written consent. Confidentiality is always maintained. If the student has particular entitlements, for example extra time for exams or someone to take notes for them in a class, the appropriate staff are informed that a student has a disability and what support is being asked for. The disability will not be disclosed.
If a student’s disability makes it difficult for them to enrol on a course, what can be done?
At enrolment, staff should make it clear to students what a course entails. If the student reveals a disability and expresses problems about completing parts of the course then the course leader should try to make reasonable adjustments to overcome the difficulties. Once this is agreed with the student then Enabling Support should be informed to coordinate support.
It should be noted that the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment -Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill, May 2001) and the Human Rights Act 1998 make it 'unreasonable discrimination' an offence. For example, if a person has a disability and a 'reasonable solution' is not offered then the person with the disability may pursue the matter through a Court of Law.
Also, QAA Code of Practice Section 3 (October 1999) states:
- Section 6: "Disabled Applicant's support needs should be identified and assessed in an effective and timely way, taking into account the applicant's views."
- Section 8: "Programme specifications should include no unnecessary barriers to access by disabled people."
- Section 9: "Academic support services and guidance should be accessible and appropriate to the needs of disabled students."
- Section 10: "The Delivery of programmes should take into account the needs of disabled people or, where appropriate, be adapted to accommodate their individual requirements."
- Section 13: "Assessment and examination policies, practices and procedures should provide disabled students with the same opportunity as their peers to demonstrate the achievement of learning outcomes."
This University has in some instances been unable to 'provide reasonable solutions' to a student applying for a course and in these cases this information has been conveyed to Senior University Management as the University does not want be accused of using discriminatory practices.
How does THE ENABLING SUPPORT TEAM co-ordinate support?
The Enabling Support Team will inform all those who need to know what support they should implement in order to accommodate a student’s disabilities.
For Schools this will include informing one or more of the ES Co-Coordinators for that School.
For Administration, Enabling Support would contact the appropriate units. For example Examinations Unit, Student Records, Accommodation or Health & Safety etc.
What is aN eNABLING SUPPORT Co-ordinator?
Schools and Subject divisions have named contacts who liaise between Enabling Support and that School/Subject over disability issues. Any special arrangements for a student with a disability are given to these Co-ordinators and they in turn will notify appropriate staff within the School as to what the arrangements are.
What sort of arrangements can be put in place for a student with a disability?
Students may be entitled to one or more of the following:
- extra time for class tests.
- extra time (agreed between student and lecturer) for course works.
- the use of a notetaker/personal helper/interpreter in classes, tutorials or labs.
- the use of recording devices to record lectures.
- the provision of copies of overhead slides.
- the provision of copies of lecture notes
- any other arrangements agreed between the student and the course co-ordinator.
Is there anything that academic staff can do to help a student with a disability?
See our Disability Legislation Advice page for more information. Some good practice which would help all students would include:
- if you know a student has a disability ask them how you can help them.
- provision of all notes (lecture notes, overhead slides, handouts etc) electronically. Depending on their disability, a student could then either listen (useful for visually impaired students) to these electronic notes using specialist software or print them out in colours or font types or font sizes (dyslexic or visually impaired) that suit them. ‘Blackboard’ sites are great for those with disabilities - see Arthur Loughran in CAPD for further information.
- ensure those with physical impairments can have their needs met. For example, allow hearing impaired students to sit at the front of a class or those using dictaphones to sit at the front of a class etc.
- Try and face the class as much as possible so that lectures can be taped and those hard of hearing can hear while those that lip-read can read.
- design web sites with disabilities in mind. For more information see this page on Accessible Web Design.
What should a lecturer do if a student says they have a disability?
Immediately refer the student to the Enabling Support Team.
What should a lecturer do if they suspect a student has a disability?
Diplomatically refer the student to the Enabling Support Team.
