Widening Participation

Disability & Inclusion Services

Disability & Inclusion Services

We are here to help ensure that you get the most from your experience in an inclusive learning environment.

Services: 

  • Screening for specific learning difficulties, mental health problems and autism
  • Reasonable adjustment recommendations for teaching and exams
  • Non-Medical Helper (NMH) support such as mentoring and specialist study skills support*
  • 1-2-1 advice and support from an allocated Disability Advisor
  • 1-2-1 advice and support from a Mental Health Advisor
  • Training and advice for staff to help them better support students with disabilities

*depending on available funding

 

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It is not enough to declare your disability on your UCAS form, as this does not give us all the information we need.

*when we say disability, we mean any physical or cognitive impairment, medical condition, or mental health conditions which could affect your ability to participate fully in your studies without additional support or reasonable adjustments.

 

Screening and Registration

We can carry out initial screening for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, anxiety and depression and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The screenings are not a diagnosis but we can arrange some reasonable adjustments on the basis of the screening results. 

You can contact us for more information or book an appointment using these links:-

Face to face at High Wycombe

Face to Face at Aylesbury 

Face to Face at Uxbridge 

Online appointment using Microsoft Teams 

At your registration meeting we will discuss your disability and the reasonable adjustments required.

Please bring your disability evidence to our meeting in the form of a medical letter, Diagnostic Assessment or equivalent.

If you are not sure what evidence you need please contact us to discuss this. 

Once you have registered with us we are here to support you throughout your studies and you can book an appointment to see a disability advisor or disability support officer at any point during your course.

 

Information sharing

At your first meeting with us you will be asked to give written consent to enable us to share relevant information as appropriate. This allows us to make sure that the reasonable adjustments you are entitled to are put in place.

We only contact others on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. For example we need to contact the exams team to make sure that reasonable adjustments are in place. 

Students who undertake placements on their course will have disclosure paperwork as a basis for discussion with the placement team.

We will always uphold your wishes in terms of disclosure. However, if at any time we consider you to be at risk we reserve the right to contact the university safeguarding officer and emergency/medical services.

If you have any concerns regarding the level of disclosure please contact your Disability and Inclusion Advisor.

Reasonable adjustments

We are able to offer a wide range of reasonable adjustments for those with dyslexia, medical conditions, mental health difficulties and other disabilities.

Our team also provides reasonable adjustments for those with temporary disabilities including injuries such as broken limbs which have an effect on your ability to study. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) defines ‘reasonable adjustments’ as:

“Reasonable is what most people would agree is fair and sensible, when they think carefully about it. Adjustment means you are changing something”.

‘Reasonable adjustments’ are about responding sensitively to individual cases by taking account of the circumstances without necessarily setting precedents.

Examples of reasonable adjustments might include:

- extra time for examinations and TCAs (time-controlled assignments)

- extended library loans 

- resources in alternative formats

- stickers for assignments and examinations so they are marked in accordance with university marking guidelines 

You could also receive additional support, such as:

  • support from a specialist mentor
  • support from a specialist study skills support tutor
  • specialist equipment and software

Additional adjustments may be possible regarding access on campus, interviews, student accommodation, parking and hearing support systems. More about these can be found on our Accessibility & Adjustments webpage.

 

Placements and Careers

We can support students undertaking placements as part of their course with recommending ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help them get the most out of their experience. We also work with the University’s Student Opportunities and Career Success team to assist disabled students with career planning and advice.

 

Booking an appointment

We are an appointment only service. You can contact us for more information or book an appointment using these links:-

Face to face at High Wycombe

Face to Face at Aylesbury 

Face to Face at Uxbridge 

Online appointment using Microsoft Teams

 

Ready to study at university?

Please see here for our Readiness to study at university document

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Our facilities at the High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses have been designed with accessibility in mind.

Individual students are welcome to assess the appropriateness of the physical environment at one of our Open Days when you can visit the campus and discuss your needs with the Disability and Inclusion Services.

Accessible toilets are located throughout the campuses and are unisex unless stated. A small number at High Wycombe are currently accessed by radar keys which are held at the main reception.

 

  • Exam adjustments
  • In class adjustments
  • Information about your medical condition to be shared with the staff who teach you
  • 1:1 Support: 
    • Ongoing advice and support from an allocated advisor 
    • Non-Medical Help, including mentoring, tutoring, note takers etc. 
  • Request learning materials in the appropriate format
  • Request Library support and adjustments such as longer loan periods for your library books
  • Blue badge holders can contact the Disability and Inclusion Services for an orange parking permit to park on site.

 

You can get support by registering with the Disability and Inclusion Services. If you have a report from school this should be provided to us to help put your reasonable adjustments in place.

 

You can book a screening appointment with the Disability and Inclusion Services, who will conduct a short screening with you and together discuss challenges and the support available. 

 

Blue badge holders can contact the Disability and Inclusion Services for an orange parking permit to park on site. There is limited parking and it is available on a first come first served basis. There is no other student parking available on the campuses.

 

A Disability and Inclusion Support Officer or Advisor can conduct a screening for traits of SpLD, ASD and ADHD. If this is indicative support will be arranged. 

 

Yes, medical evidence is required for DSA. If you need further advice on what evidence is required make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor.  

 

If you are a carer there may be reasonable adjustments that can be put in place to support you through your studies. Please book an appointment to discuss what would be appropriate for your individual circumstances. 

 

Yes, you can access temporary adjustments. Please book an appointment.

 

If you do not qualify for DSA (e.g. you are not eligible for Student Finance England funding), we can still set up an Adjustment and Inclusion Plan detailing reasonable adjustments if you have a disability that affects your ability to study.

If you are not eligible for DSA there may be other funding available, speak to a Disability and Inclusion Advisor.

 

Provision has been made for disabled students at our student accommodation. Add link to accommodation page.

Returning students are not guaranteed accommodation.

Students are advised to discuss their accommodation requirements with the accommodation service and, where appropriate, their Disability Advisor from the Disability and Inclusion Services. This should be done at an early stage so that the most suitable type of accommodation can be identified.

If certain accommodation is required (including prioritisation for a certain type of accommodation, such as en suite), each request will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any recommendation for adjustments will require the applicant to first register with the Disability and Inclusion Services by completing and returning the registration forms to inclusion@BNU.ac.uk along with medical evidence (from consultant or GP stating need for specific accommodation) along with history of the health condition. The outcome will be determined by the information supplied, the accommodation available, reasonable adjustments possible, and in some cases if exceptional adjustments are possible, this will be addressed on a first come first serve basis.

 

At your first meeting with us you will be asked to give written consent to enable us to share relevant information as appropriate. This allows us to make sure that the reasonable adjustments you are entitled to are put in place. 

We only contact others on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. For example we need to contact the exams team to make sure that reasonable adjustments are in place. 

Students who undertake placements on their course will have disclosure paperwork as a basis for discussion with the placement team.

We will always uphold your wishes in terms of disclosure. However, if at any time we consider you to be at risk we reserve the right to contact the university safeguarding officer and emergency/medical services.

If you have any concerns regarding the level of disclosure please contact your Disability and Inclusion Advisor.

 

Only with your consent

 

It is your choice to share recommended reasonable adjustments with your placement or employer, unless there is a perceived risk to you or others. 

 

There is information on applying for extensions here. We may be able to offer you support if your request relates to your disability. 

Neurodiversity

Specific Learning Difficulties and Neurodiversity

Everything you need to know about how we can support you if you have Dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyspraxia/DCD, dyscalculia, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (AD(H)D), or any combination of these specific learning difficulties.

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Mental Health

Mental health advice and resources for students at Buckinghamshire New University.

Widening Participation

External Funding

You may be entitled to some external funding to support your studies. This could pay for equipment, or Non Medical Helper support. 

Contact us

Email the Disability and Inclusion Services at inclusion@bucks.ac.uk.

We have offices at both High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses.

During vacation times our opening hours may vary. Please phone for confirmation.

We are an appointment only service.  You can contact us for more information or book an appointment using these links:-

Face to face at High Wycombe

Face to Face at Aylesbury 

Face to Face at Uxbridge 

Online appointment using Microsoft Teams

Our opening times are:

High Wycombe campus

Room N1.11, North Wing on the first floor, above the Students’ Union.

Mondays – Thursday, 9am - 5pm

Fridays 9am – 4.30pm

Uxbridge campus

Ground floor, room 0.10 

By appointment only

9:30 am – 4.30 pm

 

Aylesbury campus

Room A2.29 

9:00 am – 5 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday