Blind or partially sighted students

Students’ support needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis and adjustments are never made for you automatically. Support can sometimes take a while to arrange, so it is very important to contact the Disability Service as early as possible. The Disability Advisor can assess your needs and arrange any relevant support so that it is in place for you when you start your studies.

Our support for Blind students or students with a visual impairment is based on each individual’s needs. We can carry out a needs assessment for you in partnership with an assessor from RNIB. This will help us to identify your needs regarding coursework and exam adjustments, assistive technology, and human support such as a reader, scribe or note taker.

We aim to organise the support you require in advance of you attending the University, so it is vital that you make contact with us as soon as possible.

Examples of support available

• Orientation training
• Note-taker for lectures
• Documentation in alternative format
• Exam and coursework adjustments
• Scribe/reader
• Adaptations to accommodation where necessary
• Fire Safety - A PCP (personal Care Plan) will be arranged where required if they need support to evacuate buildings in the case of a fire or other emergency
• Specialised equipment
• Assistive software and training
• Arranging Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) (UK students only)

Guide dogs are welcome on Campus.

Examination and coursework adjustment details

Your coursework and exam adjustments will be discussed in full at your appointment with an Advisor. Any adjustment recommended is based on the needs of the individual. Examples follow but the list is not exhaustive

• Extra time in exams and timed class tests
• A quiet shared room or individual room for exams
• Use of a PC
• Use of a scribe or reader in exams and class tests
• Permission to record lectures
• Lecture notes and slides provided in advance of the lecture

Where your needs are complex, we will agree a Learning Profile with you that will be available to teaching staff.

Braille

Materials and information can be produced in alternative formats such as Braille where required. The University uses external organisations for producing information in Braille to cope with the large amounts of academic texts which are required for a degree course.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

Available to UK-domiciled students only.

This is additional funding which may be available to meet any additional study-related costs that a student may incur because of their disability. If you require any funded support, we will arrange another appointment to have your needs assessed for funding through DSA. Further information on DSA can be found on our website.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is any device or software that can help you overcome barriers caused by your disability or learning difficulty.

There is additional information regarding assistive software on our website, including links to videos, guides and downloadable demos, as well as self-training material that you may wish to look at.