Support Services for Disabled Students at UCL An overview of provision September 2009

Student Disability Services Core staff: Disability Co-ordinator Marion Hingston Lamb Dyslexia Co-ordinator Claire Jamieson Disability Adviser Jenny Alsop Disability Adviser (Mental Health) Danny Marfany Administrator Alison Angel Plus part time specialist staff: tuition for students with dyslexia and other splds, mentors for students with mental health difficulties mentors for students with Asperger syndrome

The Student Disability Centre G16, Registry South Wing Tel:

The SEN IT suite Main Building- South Junction IT suite for disabled students 8 PCs with specialist software- mind- mapping; voice activated; screen reading; Braille translation Printer, scanners, Braille embosser Support and training provided by the Disability IT Support Officer Michele Farmer

What do we do for students? Provide information about UCL for disabled students Advise disabled applicants and students Support current students Provide specialist equipment Arrange specialist support

Disabled students at UCL disabled students 5.47% of total student population 668 with a diagnosis of dyslexia or another specific leaning difficulty

Specific learning difficulties – e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia / developmental coordination disorder Autism/Asperger syndrome Sensory impairment Physical disability (including Repetitive Strain Injury/upper limb disorder) Mental illness Unseen disability- e.g. epilepsy, asthma and diabetes Medical condition (including fluctuating conditions) Any other condition which has a significant effect on the ability to study.

The Disability Discrimination Act Since September 2002 it has been illegal to treat disabled students less favourably for a disability related reason Fail to make reasonable adjustments where existing arrangements or provision place disabled students at substantial disadvantage

Definition of disability A person has a disability if he has a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to- day activities Anyone who has HIV, Cancer or Multiple Sclerosis is automatically treated as disabled under the Act.

The duties are ANTICIPATORY the needs of disabled users taken into account in all new builds, new facility design, alterations and maintenance. HEFCE have awarded UCL over £2million to improve its estates. Audit of all buildings New programmes are examined to ensure no illegal discrimination

The duties are ANTICIPATORY All processes from admissions to graduation eg: Publicity available in alternative formats Invitations to interview ask about adjustments a disabled applicant might need Person responsible for booking rooms aware of need to take needs of eg student with mobility difficulties into account

How do we know if a student is disabled? Duty to take reasonable steps to find out about a person’s disability Duty to be proactive But confidentiality must be respected (Data Protection Act)

Finding out (2) Creating a culture that encourages disclosure eg: Current disabled students participate in programme inductions for new students Importance of personal tutor Students asked (confidentially) before field trips etc

Passing on information (with student’s permission) SDS asks students to sign agreement that information can be passed on - on a ‘need to know basis’ A summary of needs is put together after discussion with the student and sent to the academic department (usually personal tutor and Departmental Administrator). It is important that the information is passed to all those who teach the student

Funding support (1) Almost all UK disabled students will be able to claim Disabled Students Allowances Non means tested, for specific support- unrelated to DLA and other government benefits Examples: PC with mind-mapping software; someone to take notes in lecture; specialist dyslexia tuition We support and guide students through the application/ assessment process and liaise with funding body on their behalf

Funding support (2) Disabled international students can apply for support directly to Student Disability Services Necessary equipment is loaned (eg laptop, radio aid, digital recorder) SDS will fund required support workers including dyslexia tuition

What might be reasonable adjustments for a deaf student ? DEPARTMENT Provide hard copies of any OHTs/slides and written list of key words (if not available on-line) Establish clear protocol in discussions- eg only one speaker at a time Lecturer to face audience UCL Extra time in exams Install induction loop in teaching rooms Individual library inductions

What might be reasonable adjustments for a deaf student ? Funded by DSA (UK student) or UCL if international student Arrange for student to have note taker/interpreter in lectures Radio aid

What might be reasonable adjustments for a blind student ? DEPARTMENT Provide course information on disk Booklists on disk well in advance Directed reading Provide OHTs/slides/board information on disk or large print in advance UCL Extra time in exams, paper in accessible format Use of amanuensis/ wp Specialist pc software in SEnIT Suite/ teaching labs

What might be reasonable adjustments for a blind student ? Funded by DSA (UK student) or UCL if international student Note taker Library assistance reader

What might be reasonable adjustments for a student with a medical condition? Department Allow some flexibility in attendance requirements Allow some flexibility in coursework deadlines (with caution!) UCL Special exam arrangements eg rest breaks Additional library services Provide suitable seating

What might be reasonable adjustments for a student with a medical condition? Funded by DSA (UK student) or UCL if international student Pc and other equipment to enable student to work from home digital recorder for lectures Note taker General assistant (library/photocopying etc)