Disability Statement
1. Ethos
1.1 The Service and its staff and students will make every effort to enable inclusion into all aspects of college life for learners with disabilities and/or learning difficulties. Every learner is seen as an individual and the Service wishes to respond to individual needs. We are committed to ensuring that disabled people, including those with learning difficulties are treated fairly.
1.2 All reasonable adjustments to provision will be made to ensure that disabled learners are not treated less favourably for reasons connected to their disability.
1.3 However, the Service is not yet able to meet all complex and profound learning needs and is not yet fully accessible to wheelchair users.
2. Admission Arrangements
2.1 The Service prospectus highlights the support available. Any learner with an additional need is encouraged to contact the Learning Support (LS) Team for an informal discussion to consider support needs.
2.2 In the case of a student considering applying for a specialist course within the LLDD (Learners with Learning Disabilities and/or Difficulties) department, the Course Team Leader (CTL) is the initial contact: Marie Helene Hunter on 020 7641 8199 or her administrator on 020 7641 8122.
2.3 Learners applying to the Service have the opportunity to make clear their learning support needs on the enrolment form. Support facilities can then be provided for the learner during the interview and enrolment process. Learners may be offered an additional, in-depth interview if required. We are able to offer advice and support for a range of sensory impairments. We welcome telephone and email enquiries throughout the year.
2.4 Your confidentiality will be respected at all times.
3. Specialist Courses
3.1 The LLDD dept provides specialist courses for learners with learning difficulties. A prospectus describing the detailed programme is available. Learners are positively encouraged to join mainstream courses where appropriate.
4. Additional Learning Support
4.1 There is a team of staff who provide additional support to learners with specific learning difficulties (dyslexia) or who need extra help with basic skills. This support may be in the classroom, in workshops or via 1:1 sessions.
4.2 Students with physical, hearing or visual impairment can be assessed and offered appropriate support from specialist staff.
4.3 We can provide enlarged texts for visually impaired students, audio aids or signers for those who are hard of hearing, laptop computers and specialist computer programmes for those needing them.
4.4 We would try, once needs are known, to hire or purchase any other necessary equipment.
5. Examination Arrangements
5.1 In liaison with the Learning Support Team, the Service Examinations Officer will contact any learner they are aware of who may require special exam arrangements. However, it is important for learners to be proactive and make sure that their requirements are known at an early stage, as the Service does not always receive this information from any other source. Examples of exam arrangements available are extra time, a reader, a scribe, a separate room or use of a computer.
6. Other Support
6.1 The Service also provides counselling and welfare advisory services.
7. Physical Accommodation and Access
7.1 Learners with disabilities who need car parking facilities can be offered these if we have been notified in advance. A member of staff can be on hand to help. Contact Dave Matthews, the Estates Manager, at Amberley Road for advice.
The ground floor of the main Service buildings is accessible to those using a wheelchair and there are a number of accessible toilets. All floors of the Ebury building are accessible by a lift. There is no lift at Amberley but there is a chair lift on one staircase.
7.2 The Learning Centre (LC) at Amberley is accessible on the ground floor, and at Ebury is fully accessible, but narrow gangways and high top shelves limit access to book stock.
7.3 The learner and staff catering services are all on the ground floor and accessible. The Sports Hall at Amberley is on the first floor.
7.4 If a learner wishes to attend a class that is normally held in an inaccessible classroom then, if this is practical within the constraints of the timetable, the class may often be relocated to an accessible room.
8. Future Plans
8.1 The Service wishes to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (as amended by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001).
8.2 The Service has conducted a survey to ensure that it meets the requirements of the DDA and a programme of work is being followed to implement necessary improvements
9. Staff Training
9.1 Training and updating on the Disability Discrimination Act and understanding Hidden Disabilities are a regular feature of Staff Development Programmes. Staff are briefed on individual support needs and the LS team are available to offer advice and support.
10. Complaints and Appeals Procedure
10.1 Learners have a right to complain if they believe they have not received support to which they are entitled. They can start the procedure with the Learner Services Manager, or any other member of staff.
10.2 Any learner requiring help in order to make the complaint will be given support. The Welcome Leaflet also sets out complaints procedures.
10.3 If you are a disabled person, please make sure that we know what you need so that we can make all reasonable adjustments to help you succeed.
Any information you give us will be used to plan for and provide support. It will not prejudice your chance of gaining a place at Service.
Contact:
Learning Support 020 7641 8133
11. Review
This Disability Statement will be updated annually.
Amended November 2008
It is also available on tape and in a large print edition from any Service Reception.
