1. What is a ‘Reasonable Adjustment’? 9 th June, 2010 Deb Taylor Disability Services dt8@york.ac.uk

2. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? Definitions under the DDA Disability: physical or mental impairment, a specific learning difficulty or health condition that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Discrimination: This is not only ‘less favourable treatment’ but also ‘an unjustified failure to take reasonable steps.’

3. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? The DDA does not define what a ‘reasonable adjustment’ is. Factors taken into account: Health & Safety The effect on other students Cost Maintaining academic standards The duty to make reasonable adjustments is anticipatory.

4. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? Examples of ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ A Hearing Impaired student may need: a note taker/ permission to record lectures Lecture outlines in advance Seating arrangements changed so the student can lip read more easily Transcripts of any audio/visual material (This can be arranged via Disability Services.) Minimising timetable changes

5. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? A Visually Impaired Student may need: Lecture outlines/reading lists/reading material in advance Documentation in electronic format A note taker / permission to record lectures Minimising timetable changes Extensions to deadlines for written pieces of work Exam adjustments: extra time, use of a PC, scribe or amanuensis

6. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? A Dyslexic student may need: Lecture outlines/reading lists/reading material in advance Documentation in electronic format A note taker / permission to record lectures Minimising timetable changes Extensions to deadlines for written pieces of work Exam adjustments: extra time, use of a PC, scribe or amanuensis

7. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? A student with Mental Health difficulties may need : Lecture outlines in advance Permission to record lectures A study mentor Minimising timetable changes Extensions to deadlines Exam adjustments: extra time, sitting the exam in a separate room More regular meetings with their supervisor

8. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? BEST PRACTICE Approximately 10% of the student population have a disability of some kind – the majority will be ‘hidden’, and the student may not have disclosed it to the University. Know your students – Disability Services may have already circulated information about the student’s support needs. Talk to the student about what works best for them. There will always be a need to make specific arrangements for individual students. Some of these adjustments – if standard – would improve things for all students. The individual student’s disability would be less of an issue and it would help the university meet its anticipator y duty.

9. What is a Reasonable Adjustment? Sources of Help Disability Services Creating Accessible Learning Materials (on the VLE) Techdis (www.techdis.ac.uk)www.techdis.ac.uk Higher Education Academy (http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/teachingandlearnin g/inclusion/disability)