AccessAbility & Wellbeing

Aims of session Overview of support Support available before and during application Financial help Getting support when here Top tips and useful resources

Who we are Part of Student Services Provide support to students to have equal access to their studies AccessAbility: Specific Learning Difficulties Physical disabilities Sensory Impairments Long-term health conditions Wellbeing: Mental health advice Counselling Psychological Interventions Mental health conditions

Where we are AccessAbility: The Forum, Streatham Campus. Also offer sessions at St.Lukes campus. Wellbeing: Reed Mews Wellbeing Centre, Streatham Campus. Also offer sessions in the Forum.

Snapshot of what we do Provide advice, guidance, signposting to other services Advisers, Study Skills Tutors, Mentors, Wellbeing Consultants Every College has an AccessAbility Liaison Contact

Snapshot of what we do Dyslexia screenings Exams support (extra time, readers, scribes….) Support workers for labs or the library Arranging sign language interpreters

Snapshot of what we do Advice and help on accessing text Accommodation support (eg. hearing alert equipment in rooms/evacuation plans/quieter halls/rooms nearer to studies) Advice on disability-related funding Pre-arrival events (AccessExeter event/Aspergers Residential)

Before and during application How to contact us: Indicate disability on UCAS form (generates our contact to you) Telephone or – contact details via university website Visit and meet an adviser/member of staff Web pages – valuable sources of information

Before and during application What to consider and tell the university about: Previous support requirements at school/college (these won’t transfer across automatically) Additional requirements for higher education (accommodation/independent living/independent study/types of teaching)

Before and during application Disclosure and confidentiality: UCAS disclosure – allows university to contact you about support Data Protection Act – Personal information is only shared with the student’s consent on a “need to know” basis

Financial help – starting early Disabled Students Allowance: Note – the government are proposing to change the current DSA arrangements for 2015/16 onwards…. Examples of what may remain: Grant to help meet the extra course costs faced because of a complex disability Non-means tested, for UK students Paid on top of the standard student finance package, or on its own.

Financial help – starting early Disabled Students Allowance: Examples of what may remain (cont): Don’t have to pay it back Apply online March before course starts (Directgov website) Provision of higher spec computers needed solely by virtue of a disability Most specialist level Non-medical helpers (not specified) Extra accommodation costs – only in exceptional circumstances

Financial help – starting early Disabled Students Allowance: Examples of who would potentially be eligible: Students with a disability defined under the Equality Act 2010 Students with Specific Learning Difficulties where their support needs are considered to be more complex

Financial help – starting early Disabled Students Allowance: NB: We do not know what changes may occur to DSA from 2015/16. The University is reviewing the support it provides to disabled students in light of these proposed changes. Link to DSA ministerial statement: support-changes-to-disabled-students-allowances-dsa

Financial help – starting early Disability Living Allowance (PIP): Helps with extra costs due to a disability Eligibility: You have a physical or mental health disability, or both Your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or you have walking difficulties, or both You are under 65 when you claim Can provide housing benefit to help with accommodation

Financial help – up front Charitable Trusts Snowdon Award Helpful for non-UK students

Financial help – on arrival Access to Learning Fund: University fund - managed by Student Guild Assists students who need extra financial support (disabled students prioritised) UK students Sometimes helps top up DSA

You’re here – Getting Support Reasonable Adjustments: Equality Act 2010: Prevents and addresses disability discrimination and disability related harassment. Duty of universities to provide reasonable adjustments.

You’re here – Getting Support Reasonable Adjustments – Examples: UCAS Guide for students with disabilities – video: UCAS - guide for students with disabilities - UCAStv - YouTube

You’re here – Getting Support The role of the AccessAbility Adviser: 1:1 support sessions Set up tailored learning plans Provide support for course related issues Assistance with accessing support from other departments within the university Providing information about community-based support which is available

You’re here – Getting Support The role of the Wellbeing Consultant: Counselling support and mental health mentoring sessions Set up tailored learning plans Provide support for course related issues Assistance with accessing support from other departments within the university Providing information about community based support which is available

You’re here – Getting Support Other Services: Student Guild Personal Tutors within the subject department College AccessAbility Liaison staff Student Information Desk

You’re here – Getting Support Accessible Accommodation: Somewhere quieter Enhanced access (for mobility) Fridge for medication Hearing alert equipment

Top Tips & Useful Resources AccessAbility website: Wellbeing website: This presentation is on these websites.

Top Tips & Useful Resources Plan as far in advance as possible Find out who to contact Pass on requirements to us Funding for extra costs Don’t be afraid to ask

Top Tips & Useful Resources Disability Rights UK: Provide advice to disabled students in post-16 education Benefits advice advice service Publications

Top Tips & Useful Resources Directgov: Education and learning link Student finance HEI and course information Postgraduate study and graduate careers advice

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