Student Wellbeing – Disability Coming to University

Student Wellbeing Disability team based in Student Wellbeing Work with students with any type of disability including but not restricted to –Long term health conditions –Specific Learning Difficulty – such as Dyslexia / Dyspraxia / AD(H)D –Sensory Impairments – visual / hearing –Autistic Spectrum conditions –Mental health conditions –Physical disabilities

How will we know about your disability? You will have opportunities to disclose your disability: during the application process (e.g. UCAS) during registration while you are studying It is your decision whether or not to disclose –encouraged to disclose so we can contact you to discuss any needs you might have –note if you have Occupational Health clearance for your course you must disclose in that process – this will not be shared with Student Wellbeing

How we will support you You will be treated as an individual –no set package of support based on a diagnosis Talk to you about your specific needs, what you are coming to study and how support or adjustments could help you (agreed in Study Needs Agreement) Liaise with you throughout your studies to ensure that your support remains relevant and reflective of your needs.

Tips from our students Disability services have been fantastic and are always available. If you can use them do and don’t worry about e.g. ‘not being disabled enough’! You would be a fool not to use them if you can.

Study Needs Agreement (SNA) We can create an SNA for you. This will be used to Tell your lecturers about your disability or required adjustments –If you give consent to share information we will agree exactly what people are told in words you are happy with –If you don’t want your lecturers to know the nature of your disability, this is your choice and we will agree this with you. It is not compulsory to share information about your disability Record the adjustments that you will get for exams, for example –Stop the Clock breaks or extra time (out of the main exam room) –Use of a computer or assistive technology –Support worker such as reader or scribe –All dependent on evidence you provide and in discussion with you

Study Needs Agreement Your SNA will be used to Identify adjustments you may need for studying at the University in line with the academic requirements of your chosen course. For example –recording in lectures or using a laptop to take notes –receiving written information (e.g. presentations) in advance of a lecture NB – most information is presented electronically so should be in accessible formats –adjustments for group work or in-class tests –adjustments for off campus activity such as placements or field trips Identify adjustments for the Learning Resource Centre such as –book retrieval between campuses –book retrieval off the shelves

Tips from our students If things aren’t going well or you come across things that are more difficult to manage than you thought (because of your disability) go back and speak to disability services again. They can change your agreement or put new support in place for you at any time.

How might it differ to school / college? The type and amount of support you may have experienced at school or college may be very different to what you will get at University e.g. you might have had –learning support in the classroom –additional academic support –full-time support whenever it is needed University education is based around independent learning – applies to all students –where needed for disability related reasons we can help students to develop these independent skills and new strategies e.g. through specialist study skills or mentoring –students take responsibility for their support – we facilitate the matching with support workers and then students proactively organise their support within the number of hours agreed

Independent learning There are a number of programs and Apps available to help you with studying, they may even help you in your current studies or work. Here are some we quite like: Balabolka – free downloadable text reader for PC and Mac which uses voices already installed on your computerhttp:// Concentrate – blocks distracting programs so you can work for a set period of timehttp://getconcentrating.com/ My Study Bar - designed to support the complete study cycle from research, planning and structuring to getting across a written or spoken message. My Study Life - a planning tool for managing assignments, revision calendars and appointmentshttps://

Tips from our students You are expected to do a lot more study in your own time than at school and this can involve a lot of reading. Try to plan this into your day and be quite strict or it can be easy to get distracted by other things such as going out with friends.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a government fund available to students who are eligible to apply for fees and funding from Student Finance or the NHS. This might fund e.g. Equipment / software such as –software to help with structuring, proof reading, planning, organising thoughts, enlarging text on the screen, reading aloud text on the screen, voice recognition etc. –equipment to assist with recording lectures, taking notes, manipulating information or to minimise the impact of your disability on studies e.g. ergonomic furniture Specialist support from staff such as –Mentors, Study Skills Tutors, BSL interpreter / lip speaker The above support is not funded by the University if it can be funded through the DSA

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) How to apply for the DSA You complete the application and submit to the funding body (Student Finance or NHS) along with your medical evidence You can apply as soon as you sort your student finance or anytime thereafter –the University only needs to sign your form if you are part-time or postgraduate –we don’t need to be involved in your application but can help if you need it If your application is approved you will be asked to go for a Study Needs Assessment –We deliver these on campus but you can go to your nearest centre –Be aware – your Study Needs Assessment is with an external assessment centre, not the University. You should speak to us separately to make sure that support is put in place appropriately. If you do not class yourself as ‘disabled’ do not be put off by the name as the DSA could really support you

Tips from our students If you are eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance try to get this sorted before you start at uni. The assessment is really helpful to think through the support you will get and coping strategies. It puts your mind at rest.

Evidence of your disability In order to apply for the DSA and get certain adjustments at the University, you will need to provide evidence of your disability or medical condition. The evidence you provide will be different depending on the nature of your disability however generally: –For Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia/Dyspraxia) you will need a full diagnostic assessment carried out after your 16 th birthday which gives a full account of your abilities and scores in a full range of diagnostic tests and the impact of your difficulties on your ability to study –For long term health conditions / sensory impairments / Autistic Spectrum / Mental Health conditions you will need medical evidence such as a letter from your GP with a full diagnosis and details of the impact on your ability to study If you are not sure if your evidence will be accepted please ask us for advice.

Accessibility on campus General access Full access around the University with level access into every room you will need Hearing loops in teaching rooms and provision of ergonomic chairs and height adjustable tables We are on a hill on College Lane – we have an outside lift half way up the campus but we cannot remove the gradient of the hill! Accommodation Accessible rooms on both campuses and lots of new modern buildings –specify in your application for accommodation what you need We can discuss what other equipment you may need in halls such as vibrating pillows or flashing light alarms

Tips from our students If you need accessible / level routes around the campuses try to get some visits in before you start on your course.

When should you talk to us? It is never too early – if you know you might come to study here and will need support or adjustments, contact us to find out what might be available We want you to have a great experience at Hertfordshire and are here to help