Student Disability Service Challenging Attitudes Mainstreaming Equality

No more blue Mondays Workshop Jacquie Nicholson RNMH, BA (Hons), MSc, MBPsS. Mental Health Mentor University of Edinburgh 3 rd Floor Main Library p: e:

Equality Act 2010  Replaces Disability Discrimination Act  Harmonises 116 pieces of separate equality legislation making illegal:  Direct discrimination  Indirect discrimination  Discrimination arising from a disability  Harassment and victimisation  Failure to make reasonable adjustments

What is the Student Disability Service?  Advisors, Mental Health Mentor and IT tutor: Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) and Disability  Other staff include: Proofreaders, SpLD Tutors, MHM, Note takers and more  Provide advice and support to a range of students  Also work with staff across the University.

Where are we? Student Disability Service: Third Floor Main Library Building George Square With Student Counselling and Careers Services.

When are we open?  Semester opening hours: Monday - Friday 9am pm.  Also open until 7pm on the first six Tuesdays from Freshers' week  Vacation opening hours: Monday - Friday 9am pm.

What do we do?  Pre-application visits  Liaise over building adaptations  Advise on technology and equipment  Loan equipment as required  Support students with temporary injuries  Support and advise staff in supporting students.

What else do we do?  Discuss a student’s support needs and produce Learning Profile of Reasonable Adjustments  Circulate Learning Profile to relevant staff  Engage additional support as needed.

Course adjustments - examples  Copies of lecture outline/summary in advance  Prioritised reading lists  Permission to record lectures  Staff assistance in locating texts in main library  Extra time on short-loan reserve library books.

Exam adjustments - examples  Extra time to complete written paper (25%, 33%)  Exam room with smaller number of students  Use of a standard computer  Use of assistive software in exams – e.g. Dragon voice to text  Provision of ergonomic furniture/equipment in exam rooms.

Mental Health Mentor Service  Specialist, professional, confidential service for students with mental health conditions  Students with persistent mental health conditions OCD, Depression, Psychosis, BD etc  Funded through DSA’s and DSSF  Self management, strategies to help with anxiety, low mood, study skills

Other help we offer Assistance in applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance if eligible  Can assist with course- related expenses  Available to both UG and PG students  If ineligible, University will provide funding, so support will remain same.

What students need to do Students with indications of Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, AD(H)D, ASC:  SDS can carry out initial screening  Followed by referral to Educational/Clinical Psychologist  Educational assessment carried out – from which detailed report is produced.  ASC/AD(H)D Students will need to follow up with NHS services

What we don’t do  Offer general financial support (e.g. fees, accommodation)  Provide support to disabled staff  Provide support to graduates – unless they are starting a new programme of study  Provide taxis for temporary injuries.

What students need to do Students must provide medical evidence of disability:  Letter from medical professional detailing:  Nature of disability, learning difficulty, medical condition and symptoms  Date of diagnosis, if appropriate  Confirmation of long-term condition?  How condition affects daily life?

What else do students need to do? Make contact early:  Enables adjustments to be put in place for start of studies  Allows adaptations to be made in advance, if required  Allows funding to be applied for, if eligible  Allows Support Assistants to be appointed if necessary.

For further information

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Any Questions?