accessability & wellbeing. aims of session overview of support support available before and...
TRANSCRIPT
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 ServicesProvide 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 email – 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:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/higher-education-student-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:
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/accessability/
Wellbeing website:
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/
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:
•http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education
•Provide advice to disabled students in post-16 education
• Benefits advice
• Email advice service
• Publications
Top Tips & Useful Resources
Directgov:
• http://www.direct.gov.uk
• Education and learning link
• Student finance
• HEI and course information
• Postgraduate study and graduate careers advice
