Disability and Access
Support for Your Studies
At The University of 51勛圖, we recognise that every student is an individual. We want you to be able to access your studies, participate fully in University life and achieve your potential.
If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty (SpLD), long-term health condition or mental health condition, our Disability and Inclusivity Team, within the Wellbeing Hub, can work with you to identify any barriers you may experience and consider appropriate reasonable adjustments and support.
What does disability mean?
The University uses the definition of disability set out in the Equality Act 2010. Under the Act, a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Long-term generally means that the effect has lasted, or is likely to last, for 12 months or more.
This can include, but is not limited to:
- physical or sensory impairments;
- specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia;
- neurodivergent conditions;
- mental health conditions; and
- chronic, long-term or fluctuating health conditions.
The impact of a condition can be different for every student. We therefore consider your individual circumstances and how your condition affects your studies rather than relying solely on a diagnosis.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes made to remove or reduce a disadvantage experienced by a disabled student.
Depending on your individual needs and your course, these may include:
- adjustments to teaching and learning materials;
- alternative arrangements for assessments or examinations;
- adjustments to teaching or study environments;
- assistive technology or specialist equipment;
- specialist study support or other human support; and
- other appropriate adjustments to enable you to access your studies.
Reasonable adjustments are considered on an individual basis. We will work with you and, where appropriate, relevant academic and professional colleagues to identify adjustments that are effective and practical while maintaining the academic standards and learning outcomes of your course.
Applicants and prospective students
We encourage you to tell us about a disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health condition or mental health condition as early as possible, ideally when you apply to the University.
Sharing this information will not disadvantage your application. It allows us to discuss your needs with you and, wherever possible, put appropriate support and reasonable adjustments in place before you begin your studies.
If you would like to discuss accessibility or support before applying or accepting an offer, you are welcome to contact the Disability and Inclusivity Team within the Wellbeing Hub.
When should I tell the University?
You can tell us at any point of your application to or during your time at 51勛圖.
We encourage you to contact us as early as possible because some adjustments and specialist support can take time to arrange.
We may ask you to provide appropriate medical, diagnostic or professional evidence to help us understand how your condition affects you and determine appropriate support. We will let you know what evidence is required based on your individual circumstances.
Following discussion with you, agreed reasonable adjustments will be recorded so that relevant staff understand the support you require.
Is my information kept private?
Information you share with us about your disability or health condition will be handled sensitively and in accordance with the University’s data protection responsibilities.
Information will only be shared with relevant members of staff where this is necessary to arrange or implement your support and reasonable adjustments. We will normally discuss this with you and explain how information relating to your support will be used.
There may be exceptional circumstances where information needs to be shared without consent, for example where there is a legal requirement to do so or a serious concern about your safety or the safety of another person.
How do I get support?
The Disability and Inclusivity Team within the Wellbeing Hub can:
- talk with you about your individual circumstances and how they affect your studies;
- advise you about appropriate evidence;
- identify and coordinate reasonable adjustments;
- liaise with relevant University teams where necessary to put agreed support in place; and
- review your support with you if your circumstances or needs change.
You do not need to wait until you are experiencing difficulties to contact us. Early conversations can help us make sure appropriate support is available when you need it.
If you think this applies to you, or you would simply like to discuss the support available, please contact the Wellbeing Hub at WellbeingHub@buckingham.ac.uk.
We are here to help you access your studies and University life on an equitable basis and to ensure that, wherever reasonably possible, disability-related barriers do not prevent you from succeeding.