Will the fact that I am disabled affect my chance of getting a place at the University of Bolton?

No. The fact that you have a disability, health condition, mental health disability or specific learning difficulty has no bearing on your admission to a University of Bolton course.

 

How do I declare to the University of Bolton that I have a disability or specific learning difficulty?

You can declare a disability or specific learning difficulty when you apply to study here, on your application form, or when you start your course, on the enrolment form. You can also declare by telling a member of staff at any point during your contact with the University (as a future student, current student or alumnus).

 

Who is the Disability Service?

Katie Morris – Senior Disability Adviser

Jenny White – Administrative Assistant to the Disability Service

Erin Jackson – Disability Adviser

Brigid Callaghan – Disability Adviser

 

What does a Disability Adviser do?

The Disability Advisers will:

• Support you in applying for Disabled Students Allowance, and advise you as you are going through the process.
• Communicate your requirements to your tutors, including exam arrangements.
• Loan you equipment where appropriate.
• Set up support that is required for you to access your course
• Advise you on applications for Mitigating Circumstances and write supporting letters where appropriate.
• Be available for appointments, a weekly drop-in and by telephone and email.

 

The Disability Advisers will not:

• Extend deadlines for you.
• Speak to others (including family members) regarding your support, unless you have asked us to in writing.
• Be able to see you at a time that is not a drop in, or a pre-arranged appointment.

 

Why do I have to make an appointment to see a Disability Adviser, why can't I just drop in?

This is to allow disability advisers the time needed to work on issues relating to disabled student's cases. We spend a considerable amount of time liaising with other agencies both within the University and outside the University (with your permission) in order to put the correct level of support in place. We need some time to deal with these administrative tasks as well as appropriately develop the service.

 

Can a member of my family/ next of kin sort out all my paperwork to do with my disability and talk to a Disability Adviser about my case?

No. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, we cannot talk to next of kin or family members unless it is an emergency as this contravenes data protection even if you tell us it is ok to talk to them. As an adult studying at the University we expect you to manage all aspect of you learning and administration issues yourself. Even if we were allowed to talk to family and next of kin about you, our workload does not allow it. Please note, in serious, exceptional circumstances, we may take the decision to talk to next of kin or family about you. Also please note that we are happy to meet with and talk to parents and next of kin at open days so long as you, as a prospective student are with them.

 

I want to make a complaint about the Disability Service, how do I do that?

If you have a problem with the services that we provide please try and resolve this with us first by speaking to one of the Disability Advisers or the Senior Disability Adviser. At that point if you are not happy with the way we have handled your complaint you may use the University's complaint procedure.

 

I want to do a piece of research which requires me to involve disabled students – will the Disability Service help me and give me the names of students with particularly disabilities?

The Disability Service receives many requests from students and external bodies wishing to conduct disability related research. Often we are asked if we can contact disabled students on the researcher's behalf to ask if they would be willing to participate in the research project. Whilst the Disability Service is fully supportive of ongoing research and development in the field of disability awareness, we cannot pass on student's names or contact details to such enquirers as this contravenes data protection and our confidentiality policy. Nor do we feel it is fair to constantly 'target' disabled students to ask them participate in research. This has long been a dilemma, as the Disability Service is keen to support research whilst balancing the interests of our disabled students. This being the case, we have taken the decision to request that researcher's write a short brief about their research project and explain which groups of disabled students they are interested in reaching. We will then advertise this on the front page of our Disability web pages for a limited time period of one month. You must provide contact details so that if students are interested, they can contact you directly themselves. Remember you must keep your proposal brief- three of four lines only.   We will not liaise between interested students and researchers as workload and time limitations is another reason why we cannot become too heavily involved in requests of this nature. Also remember, as with all students, disabled students will be more likely to respond to requests to participate in research and or questionnaires if they are given an incentive!

 

Do you have a lot of students with dyslexia? 

In 2008/9 369 students who have declared dyslexia to the University (210 of these are in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance).

 

Do you have a lot of students with mental health difficulties?

In 2008/9 68 students have declared mental health difficulties to the University, ( 25 of these are in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance).

 

Disabled Students Allowance

 

What is Disabled Student's Allowance?

Disabled Students' Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled people to study on an equal basis with other students. Eligible full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances.  The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income. Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and doesn't have to be paid back. DSAs are usually only paid to the suppliers of support, not the student in receipt of the support. This is not an additional source of funding for course fees or living costs.

 

Who can apply for DSAs?

If you are a full time or part time, undergraduate or postgraduate home student you may be eligible to apply for funding through the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Please to discuss your eligibility if you are studying a short course or few modules.  Please note that you can apply for DSAs up to 6 months before you begin your course, so you should apply as early as you are able to. You do not have to have decided which University you will be attending to do so.

 

How do I apply for DSA?

Your funding body will be able to provide you with an application form for DSA, as well as further information in a booklet called "Bridging the Gap". You can also download these from the Student Finance websites.  You will be expected to provide your funding body with evidence of your disability, in the form of either a medical note or an Educational Psychologist's report. On the basis of this evidence, the funding body will inform you whether they will fund a full assessment of your study needs. If you have more than one condition that you feel will impact on your ability to study e.g. dyslexia and mobility difficulties, then you will need to provide evidence for both, for instance an Educational Psychologist report and medical evidence from your doctor.

 

I have applied for DSA – what next?

Once approval has been received from your funding body, a Disability Adviser will assist you to arrange a full assessment of your study needs here at the University of Bolton. Every assessment is done on an individual basis. This means that students with the same condition or impairment may be recommended different support. Your input in this assessment is essential as you know how your condition affects you. Try not to worry about the assessment it is really a discussion about you, your course and how your condition or impairment may impact on your ability to study. It is not a test and it is not a medical assessment.

 

There are four different elements to the Disabled Students' Allowance and you may be recommended support that comes under one, two or all of these areas:

 

Specialist equipment allowance

Non-medical helper's allowance

General allowance

Travel allowance

 

The assessor will produce an assessment of study needs report, detailing their recommendations and the associated costs. This will be sent to the SLC for approval.

 

I have cancer can I apply for DSA?

Yes. Following an amendment to the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 people with cancer are covered by the Act and can apply for DSA

 

I have a part time job – can I still apply for Disabled Student's Allowance?

Yes. DSA is not means tested. It does not matter if you work or have savings, you can still apply for DSA if you have evidence that you have a disability.

I have HIV/AIDS – can I apply for DSA?

Yes. Following an amendment to the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 people with cancer are covered by the Act and can apply for DSA

 

What is an assessment of study need?

First time applicants for DSA have to undergo a needs assessment to determine what individual support requirements because of disability or specific learning difficulty. A needs assessment is a meeting between you and an assessor, who will then produce report written on the basis of the evidence provided and your description of difficulties experienced when accessing your University studies/learning. The report will look at all aspects of your study and make appropriate recommendations for funding and other support in order to ensure you can access all areas of your course. This could include assistive technology, note taking, library support or proof reading.

 

I was recommended some equipment in my assessment of need report. How do I get it? 

You will need to wait until your funding body have approved the purchase of the equipment you have been recommended. They will usually write to you to confirm this (this may take up to 4 weeks after they receive a copy of your finalised report). Once you have this letter you can contact the equipment supplier named in your assessment report (if you have 2 quotes from different suppliers, you funding body may have specified which supplier they have approved in your letter). You should only order your equipment from an approved supplier named in your report. If you order equipment from an alternative source your funding body may not pay for it.

 

Sometimes the funding body will order the equipment on your behalf, if this is the case they will usually state this in the letter they send you and give you instructions on what you should do next.

 

How quickly will my support be put in place?

This varies greatly depending on the time of year that you make contact with the Disability Service, the funding body that you apply to for DSA and how quickly you act on things that you have to do. Once you have your medical evidence or dyslexia diagnostic report, some support can be set up immediately, such as making your tutors aware of the need for guided reading, or handouts in an alternative format. We would urge you to make contact with us as soon as possible – before you start your course if possible.

 

Can I keep the equipment when my course has finished?

Most students are able to keep their equipment. In some cases, equipment is loaned, in which case you will be expected to return it. If you do not start your course, or leave it very soon after starting it, you may be asked to return your equipment by your funding body.

 

Is my Disability Living Allowance affected if I apply for DSA?

No, your Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) is not affected by any other benefit or allowance that you may be entitled to. Please note that any income related benefits (such as Income Support) will be affected by other student finance (loans and grants). Link to student finance pages.

 

Will DSA pay for my tuition fees or living costs?

No, the DSA will only pay for costs that are a direct result of your disability.

 

I want to go from being on a full time course to a part time course, will my DSA be affected by this?

Not as long as you are still doing at least 3 modules per academic year (50% of the full time course). Please note that your other student finance will be affected by changing to part time.

Link to student finance pages

 

I am an international student. Am I eligible to apply for DSA?

No, but the Disability Service has some funding and an equipment loan bank which can be used to support disabled students who are not eligible for DSA. Relevant evidence of your disability, impairment or Specific learning Difficulty is required. Please arrange to see a member of the Disability Service staff for more information.

 

I am an international student and I have evidence of a disability or a specific learning difficulty but it is not written in English is that ok?

No. We require the evidence in English. It is your responsibility to get your evidence translated into English with a reputable translation service and you will be responsible for paying for this too.

 

Do I have to apply for DSA?You don't have to apply for DSA, however it is advisable, as a lot of the support you can get is through the money that comes from DSA. In other words, anything that has a cost will be paid for through DSA money.

 

What is a DSA2 form and why do I have to fill one in?

This is a form that we use together information from you about your course and any software that is used on it. It will also ask you about support that you have had previously. This is passed to the needs assessors (Broadbent & Co or Access Summit) to inform the assessment appointment.

 

What is Access Summit or Broadbents?

These are organisations that carry out Assessment of Needs appointments. This is where your study requirements and support strategies will be discussed. The report that is produced is sent to your Local Authority. Access Summit and Broadbents carry out the assessments here at the University of Bolton.

 

What is Clear Links?

Clear Links is an agency that provides support workers for students. They may contact you directly to arrange the first meeting with your support worker.

 

What is 'access', 'assistive' or 'enabling' technology?

These terms refer to any piece of equipment that enables a disabled person to study with the maximum possible independence. For example, computer hardware, software or mechanical device, to help a student to read write take notes use a computer. Other examples include Braille note-takers, scanners with optical character recognition (OCR) software, and computers with synthetic speech output

 

Support Workers and Study Skills tutors

I have been recommended a note taker, but I don't want anyone in my class or my tutor to know I have a note taker is this possible?

Yes, this is possible. We can ask the note taker to sit separately and drop notes off for you at an agreed place (such as the School Office or Student Centre). Note takers are requested to introduce themselves to tutors discreetly and explain why they are in a class as a matter of courtesy. However, the note taker will not tell the tutor who they are note taking for if you don't want them to.

 

How do I contact a study skills tutor?

If you are recommended a one to one study skills tutor, you will be given a list of tutors and their contact details. You are responsible then for contacting the tutor

 

Can the study skills tutor help me with the subject I am studying?

No. Study skills tutors will not provide subject specific tuition. So for example, if you are doing a psychology degree, the tutor will not help you understand work to do with that degree, for example a module on cognition. The tutor will provide you with strategies to approach your work. This can include: planning your time effectively so that you can meet your deadlines; organizing your files and paperwork; working on structuring of work, essay structuring and paragraph formation; planning what resources you may need to look at; and developing strategies to improve your spelling and grammar. The tutor will also use any assistive technology that you may have been recommended through the DSA during these sessions.

 

I used to have a report that said I have dyslexia, but I have lost it – what shall I do?

You will need a new report if you want support. Please make an appointment to come and see a Disability Adviser by calling 01204 903733. A Disability Adviser can arrange for you to have a new report.

 

Will I have to pay for the test to find out if I have a specific learning difficulty?

No, but you will be charged £35 for failing to turn up to the appointment. Only in exceptional circumstances will this fee be waived and you may be asked for written proof of why you could not attend.

 

I had a test for a specific learning difficulty done when I was at secondary school. Will I be able to use it to apply for DSA?

No, in order to apply for DSA, you must have a test which has been done after your 16th birthday. We can organize for you to have a new assessment. You should make an appointment to see a Disability Adviser.

 

I think I might have dyslexia – can the Disability Service help?

We can assist you in arranging a diagnostic test for dyslexia. If the test confirms that you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia, we will advise you on the support available within the University and through the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Please book an appointment to see a Disability Adviser by calling 01204 903733.

 

I am D/deaf – I need British Sign Language Interpreters for my course. Can I have the same two interpreters every class?

Usually, the answer is no. This is because there are not very many interpreters in the UK. We use an agency to book our interpreters, so you may use several during your course. We do ask the agency to book the same interpreters as much as they can.

Confidentiality

Will you tell anyone that I am disabled or have a specific learning difficulty?

Before we put support in place we ask for your written consent to pass on information to those who need to know, in order for support to be provided.

We will only discuss disability-related information with other members of staff once you have given us permission, or if we need to do this for reasons of health and safety, emergency or public policy.

Disabled Staff

 

I am a disabled member of staff and I need support – who do I contact?

Personnel.

 

Exams

 

When a student has up to 30 min per exam for rest breaks, how do they take this?

The student can take the 30 minutes whenever he/she likes throughout the exam. The invigilator must stop the clock and start it again when the student finishes a rest. The invigilator is responsible for monitoring the time. Students are instructed to indicate to the invigilator when they are starting to have a break and when they are finishing.

 

Is it ok for a student to ask that a scribe meets them the week before the exam to practise scribing?

Yes. This request is rare, but reasonable. Dictating to a scribe can be an unusual experience for students and the Disability Service would encourage that the student and scribe meet before an exam to practise. Clear links will match students with an appropriate support worker and then that support worker will contact the student directly to make all arrangements regarding where and what time to meet for any practise sessions and the exam itself. In my experience this request is rare, but reasonable. 

 

I applied for individual exam arrangements, who can I check with that they are in place?

Once your Exam Arrangement form has been processed, you will receive a letter from the Disability Service to confirm what recommendations have been made to your school. You can check that the arrangements are in place by contacting your School Office. You can do this in person, or by sending an email to your school at the following addresses:

 

Games, Computing and Creative Technology - gcct-enquiries@bolton.ac.uk |

Arts, Media and Education - ame-enquiries@bolton.ac.uk |

Bolton Business School - bus1@bolton.ac.uk |

School of the Built Environment & Engineering. - bee-enquiries@bolton.ac.uk |

Health and Social Sciences – hss@bolton.ac.uk |

 

If you encounter any difficulties, please contact your Disability Adviser.

 

I missed the cut off date for exam arrangements. What do I do now?

Arrange to see a Disability Adviser as soon as possible. It may be possible, but not guaranteed, that they can negotiate for your exam arrangements to be put in place.

 

Can I use my specialist software in my exams?

No. The only specialist software which is allowed to be used in exams is JAWs for blind and visually impaired students. The reason we do not allow specialist software in exams is because if it breaks down in the middle of an exam, we don't have any qualified technician to fix it. 

 

Will a student be matched with someone who has their subject knowledge and doesn't that place them at an advantage?

To a certain extent, students are matched with scribes who have some subject knowledge of the course the student is studying. For example, a scribe with an Arts background would not be matched with a student who is studying a science or maths subject. Particularly in science or maths subjects where equations or formula may need to be written, it is important the scribe has an awareness of those conventions. Students who are allocated scribes with an understanding of a student's subject knowledge, does not mean the student will be placed in an advantageous position. Scribes work to a strict code of conduct and only write down what a student dictates to them even if the scribe is aware the answer is incorrect.

 

Deaf Awareness

 

Why is D/deaf written like that?

People who have a hearing impairment may consider themselves to be very much part of the Deaf (with a big D) community. They do not consider themselves to be disabled, but to be part of a linguistic minority who use sign language. This means they have own language, culture and traditions like any language or culture. Small d refers to people with a hearing impairment who do not identify themselves with the Deaf community or culture. They view themselves as deaf or hard of hearing in a hearing world. They might still use sign language though.

 

Why do I have to use my University of Bolton email address when emailing the Disability Service? Why can't I use my own personal email address?

There are many reasons for this. Firstly, we have easy access to all students University email from our records. …………..

 

I've heard I'm entitled to 2 week extensions on assessed work – is that right?

Sometimes we may recommend that a student be able to negotiate some flexibility with deadlines. This should only be on occasion, and it must be negotiated with the module tutor in advance of the original deadline. We don't recommend that this is used for every deadline, and it is up to your tutor if they will allow you an extension. They may ask you to submit an application for mitigating circumstances (link).

 

Mitigating circumstances

 

How do I apply for mitigating circumstances?

 

Will the Disability Service write a letter of support for my application for mitigating circumstances?

In some cases, a Disability Adviser will write a letter to support your application for mitigating circumstances. However this depends on a number of factors. You must keep the Disability Service informed on an ongoing basis if you are struggling with your course for reasons relating to your disability. A Disability Adviser will not write a supporting letter for mitigating circumstances if we have not seen or heard from you for months on end and are not kept abreast of any issues you may have. A Disability Adviser will only write a supporting letter for mitigating circumstances if it is felt your case is a genuine one and you have done all you can to address the problems which have arisen for you first.   The mitigating circumstances and exam board will take supporting letters from Disability Advisers more seriously, if there are few of them and only written in bonafide cases.

Parking

I am a blue badge holder what parking arrangements are there on campus?

Come and see us with a copy of your blue badge and we will give you access to all car parks – you can use yellow spaces but none are reserved for individuals.

 

I don't have a mobility difficulty but I want to park on campus – can I?

Possibly. Come to  see a Disability Adviser to discuss this. Write the circumstances under which this may be granted…… try to answer FAQs as fully as poss.

 

What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome is thought to affect about 50% of students with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. The root of Irlen's is in perceptual problems caused by light sensitivity. Students with this condition often benefit from the use of coloured overlays or coloured spectacles. The overlays or spectacles work by filtering out light which causes distortions to print. Problems also appear to be worse with black print on white paper, incidentally the most common format.

Common complaints include:

Letters merging together

Letters appearing in the wrong order

Twirling letters

Words being fuzzy

Words jumping about

Difficulties in reading and keeping your place

Excessive rubbing and blinking of eyes

Words appearing as a jumbled puzzle

Words appearing faded

 

Accommodation

I have a guide dog. Will it be able to stay with me?

Yes, provision can be made for guide dogs to stay within the

halls of residence and we will arrange for a dog run to be

constructed.