UCS Disability Statement
Information and Advice for Students with Disabilities June 2007
Contents Page
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Welcome and contact details
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Accessibility: physical, car parking, toilet facilities, personal care and specialist equipment
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Questions and Answers about support for disabilities
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Other types of support
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Special arrangements for exams
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Who pays?
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Other UCS information
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Some useful websites
Welcome to University Campus Suffolk
In this leaflet we will try to answer some of the questions you may have about University Campus Suffolk and the support we can offer to students with disabilities.
'Students with disabilities' includes students who may have additional needs due to physical access issues, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, a hearing or visual impairment, mobility difficulties, a medical condition or mental health difficulties.
University Campus Suffolk is fully committed to equality of opportunity and values diversity in the university community.University Campus Suffolk is a member of Skill, the national agency representing and advising students with disabilities. There are disability advisers based in each of the Centres who are part of the Learning Network.
To contact or make an appointment with a member of the Student Support team please contact the relevant person as listed below:
Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director (External): Richard Lister
Accessibility
Physical Access
UCS Bury St Edmunds
The centre has good access and by December 2008 all parts will be accessible to wheelchair users. West Suffolk Hospital Education centre has good access to the ground and first floors.
UCS Great Yarmouth
The centre has recently installed ramps, automatic doors, accessible toilet facilities, additional lifts and arrangements for car parking. Drake Centre (Health) is fully accessible.
UCS Ipswich including Suffolk New College
Rope Walk Site is mainly accessible to wheelchair users. Some access is via outside routes and access to some areas is by stair-lift. The main tower block has lift access to all floors and the lift has Braille controls and audio announcements. All controls are positioned to enable wheelchair users independent access. Argyle Street Annexe – the majority of the rooms are accessible to wheelchair users. High Street Annexe is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Students' Union is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Heath Road Hospital Education centre – access only to ground floor for wheelchair users.
UCS Lowestoft
The Centre provides good access to all buildings and facilities for those with restricted mobility. There are automatic doors at most entrances. There is lift access to upper floors in all but the technology block. The majority of the lifts have Braille controls and audio announcements.
UCS Otley
The whole of the site is accessible to students with mobility problems.
Car Parking
Car parking in designated parking areas is available at all sites.
At the Rope Walk site in Ipswich, Student Services can provide cards for students who need accessible parking spaces on site.
Accessible toilet facilities
Toilet Facilities which will accommodate a wheelchair are marked on the centre maps.
Personal Care
If you need personal care support please contact the disability adviser on site.
Specialist equipment
Hearing loops are available, and specialist software is provided through the Centre networks.
Contact your specific Learning Network centre for more details of specialist equipment available.
Questions and Answers about support for disabilities
Q: Why should I tell you I need support?
A: Unless you tell us we will not know what support you need to be able to study successfully at UCS.
Q: When should I tell you I need support?
A: As soon as possible, preferably as soon as you make an application.
Q: How do I tell you that I need support?
A: There are many opportunities:
At any time you may contact Student Services
On application you should indicate on the UCAS or UCS application form that you have a disability or additional support need
On enrolment you should tick the relevant box on the enrolment form which indicates a disability or other additional need
You may be asked to complete a questionnaire to help us to support your additional needs
Students studying professional health courses may also need to meet the Occupational Health service representative
From when you begin studying at UCS you can speak to your tutor or Student Services at any time throughout your course
Q: What support is available?
A: Individual support arrangements will be discussed with each student and may include:
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study skills support for students with dyslexia or similar support needs
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examination concessions
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advice on applying for assessment or Disabled Student Allowance
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advice on equipment, personal care support and the use of the library or other facilities at the Ipswich Campus and across the Learning Network
Q. What arrangements can be made for exams?
A: If you need special arrangements you should discuss them as early as possible with your tutor, who should ensure that the exams office is aware of your requirements. Allowances that can be made include additional time, enlarged or coloured papers, readers, writers, signers, a separate room and the use of word processors, according to individual recommendations. In most cases you will need to provide written evidence to support your request, such as an Educational Psychologist's or access centre report, doctor's letter or recommendation from your specialist adviser in Student Services.
Q: Can I access the same range of support services as all students?
A: Yes. See the services outlined below. The UCS website will also list the services available to all students. Please note that whilst not every service is available on site at every campus, all services may be accessed by all students of UCS.
Other types of support
Tutorial support
All students have a personal tutor. Some students may require extra tutorials for pastoral or academic support. These can be arranged, where appropriate, with specialist staff such as a dyslexia support tutor or study skills advisor.
Counselling
A free professional and confidential counselling service is offered to all students. Appointments can be made through Student Services.
Welfare Advice
Advice on grants, tuition fees, benefits and student loans is provided through Student Support services. Support in dealing with outside agencies such as banks and local authorities or Jobcentres is also available.
Careers and Employability Advice
We can help you to explore career options and ideas at any stage of your studies. There is open access to careers resources and information and appointments can also be made for one-to-one advice sessions.
Childcare
Advice on finding suitable childcare provision, both on and off campus, is offered by Student Services. Childcare for children aged 0-5 years is available in on-site nurseries at all campuses except UCS Otley. Details of the current fees can be obtained from Student Services or directly from the nursery. Holiday play schemes may also be offered.
Chaplaincy
A multi-faith chaplaincy team is based in Ipswich.
Health Care
First Aid is available at all sites. Orchard Street Health Centre is adjacent to Rope Walk in Ipswich and the Riverside Clinic minor injuries unit is also just a few minutes walk from the Ipswich campus.
Accommodation
The UCS Accommodation Service provides a list of approved landlords and properties available for rent in Ipswich. The UCS Accommodation Officer is based at UCS Ipswich. For more information e-mail accommodationucs.ac.uk| or ring the Accommodation Officer on 01473 235415.
Special arrangements for exams
If you need special arrangements you should discuss them as early as possible with your tutor.
Exam concessions that can be made include:
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additional time allocation
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use of a reader
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use of a scribe
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use of a signer
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use of a word-processor
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a separate room
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discounted rest breaks
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enlarged or coloured papers
In most cases you will need written supporting evidence, for example a report from an educational psychologist, an assessment centre or a doctor.
For further information, contact Student Services or Registry at UCS Ipswich.
Will I have to pay anything?
All services offered by Student Services are provided free of charge. As a student in Higher Education, you may be able to apply for a Disabled Students' Allowance paid by your Local Education Authority or NHS Grants Unit. This allowance can help pay for equipment to assist you in your studies and fund additional support. You will be supported in making this application through Student Services.
If you are unable to meet the financial demands of your studies you can make an application to the Access to Learning Fund. This fund can also be used to pay for an Educational Psychologist's assessment if required.
Who do I tell about the quality of the service?
We value your views on the service provided. We welcome your opinion on any good points, queries, complaints or concerns. You may feedback to your tutor, to Student Services or through the annual evaluation procedures.
What other information can I read about UCS?
UCS has a range of policies which you may access on the website or ask for printed copies. The UCS Student Directory includes the UCS Disability Statement (this document) and UCS Student Support Statement of Service, as well as:
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Health & Safety policy
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Equal Opportunities policy
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Tutorial policy
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Complaints procedure
Some useful websites
www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk|
www.dfes.gov.uk/studentssupport/students/index.shtml|
www.skill.org.uk|
(SKILL is a national charity promoting opportunities for young people and adults in the UK with any kind of disability in further or higher education, training and employment).
Upon request, this information can also be made available in large print, as an audio file or Microsoft Word document, or can be read and explained to you.