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Disability and Dyslexia Service

Disability

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is the only campus-based university in central London.  This makes it a particularly attractive choice for disabled students who wish to study at an institution renowned internationally for the quality of its teaching and research, as illustrated by our inclusion into the Russell Group of leading universities.

This page provides an overview of the facilities at the QMUL for students with disabilities, but please do not hesitate to contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service for more information. Our contact details can be found here.

Environment

Much of the Mile End campus, including all of the Student Village, has been built relatively recently and has good accessibility for disabled people; some of the older buildings are more problematic, although QMUL is committed to ensuring that all of its facilities are fully accessible. The Disability and Dyslexia Service has been working closely with the Projects Office since 2008 on an ongoing programme of work to eliminate any barriers to access for disabled people; this year, for example, we have been looking at improving access into the Queens’ Building. In the event that an issue with accessing any part of the university’s campuses becomes apparent QMUL will endeavour to resolve this as a matter of urgency.    

QMUL has worked with AccessAble in order to produce Access Guides for our campuses. QMUL's Access Guides are available here.

If required information is not available through the AccessAble Guides then students can also contact QMUL’s Estates Department to obtain a map of accessible entrances, toilet facilities and car parks.  The Disability and Dyslexia Service can also liaise with the department that books teaching space to ensure that lectures are held in the most accessible rooms for those students with mobility issues.

Disabled Students' Allowances

Students with disabilities are eligible to apply for Disabled Students' Allowances.  Once your application has been accepted you will be required to undertake a Study Needs Assessment to identify any technology, equipment and academic support you may need.

Accommodation on campus

If your disabilities substantially affect your mobility then you may be eligible for priority with on-campus accommodation.  Please see here for more information about campus accommodation for disabled students.  Accommodation may not be available for clearing applicants because of high demand.  A small amount of campus accommodation is adapted for wheelchair users or those who require personal assistance, (i.e. 24-hour care).

Housing Services can also provide further information on accessible accommodation.

Support from other departments at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)

Library Services

The Library offers special facilities for students with disabilities; for example, you will be able to renew books via email and over the phone.  A small number of individual study carrels are available to students with disabilities, (e.g. if you have a condition that affects your concentration and need to study on your own). Find out more on the Library's website.

Language Centre

The Language Centre also provide short study skills courses, which are available to all students. These can be particularly useful for students with disabilities who want to know how to best use their time and energy when studying in higher education.  

Student Health Service

All QMUL students are encouraged to register with the on-site GP surgery through the Student Health Service at Mile End.

Support from the Disability and Dyslexia Service

QMUL has three dedicated resource rooms for disabled students: one in the library at the Mile End campus which was recently enlarged, one in the School of Law at the Lincoln's Inn Fields campus and one in the Francis Bancroft Building. All three rooms contain a number of networked PCs, screenreading and magnification software and other hardware aimed at the disabled user including an HD CCTV, and height adjustable desks.

In addition, the text-to-speech program ClaroRead Plus and the mindmapping tool MindView are networked across the Teaching Service, which is available to all QMUL students.

Accessing your curriculum

The Disability and Dyslexia Service can provide assistance with arranging Non-Specialist Human Support (as it is known through the Disabled Students' Allowances) including note-takers, readers, library assistants and campus support workers.  We will also help you if you need to arrange for the transcription of course materials into Braille, large print, audio or electronic format.  

In addition to our own pool of Non-Specialist Human Support Workers we can also liaise with other institutions and specialist organisations to ensure that students receive appropriate human support.

Examination Access Arrangements

Students with disabilities and specific learning differences can request Reasonable Adjustments for examinations.  These include additional time, ergonomic seating, an amanuensis, or ‘scribe’, a reader, exam papers in enlarged font or alternative formats and specialist equipment.

Please see our Examination Access Arrangements page for more information, including deadline dates.  We advise students to apply as soon as possible.

Mentoring

The Disability and Dyslexia Service offers on-site one-to-one mentoring support for students with mental health issues and conditions on the autistic spectrum.  These mentors are managed by the Mental Health Co-Ordinator.

One to one mentoring is provided by staff with a knowledge and understanding of mental health issues and their impact on student life.  Their role is not to teach, or offer therapy, but to provide continuity, structure and support to enable students to engage with their studies, and function as independently as possible whilst at university. Sessions are tailored to the individual and varying needs of students, but can include support to identify and set achievable targets, plan work, and manage difficulties like procrastination and perfectionism.

Some students prefer to access Peer Mentoring. This involves working with a student (typically working at Masters, or PhD level) from their academic department.  Inevitably, support in this context is more subject specific, but the structure and content of sessions follows a similar pattern.

For students on the autistic spectrum we offer one to one mentoring from our own staff with specialist knowledge in this area. We also work closely with the National Autistic Society’s Prospects Student Support Service. Both support students with time management; organisational skills; communication skills; social skills; and dealing with the transition to university life.

If students wish, we also arrange for question and answer sessions from other services (e.g. Careers, Library, Advice & Counselling).

Needs assessments

Almost all students applying for a Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) will need to have a study aids and strategies assessment, also known as a ‘needs assessment’, carried out at a recognised Assessment Centre. This assessment determines funding from the DSA or other sources to pay for appropriate specialist equipment, human support and specialist study strategies.  This assessment aims to promote strategies for independent studies and can often help develop personal skills, which will be useful in your studies and future employment.  

The Disability and Dyslexia Service are able to offer such assessments on-site, subject to availability, (this is via the auspices of the Central London Assessment Services, CLASS). This arrangement is subject to audit by the DSA quality assurance agency.

For all other students the Disability and Dyslexia Service can advise on how to secure an assessment appointment at any one of the Assessment Centres in the London area.

Loan equipment

If students are not eligible for funding to cover the cost of a full package of specialist equipment, they may be able to borrow specialist items from us while studying here.  If you are waiting to establish eligibility or for funding to be arranged, you may also borrow equipment whilst your eligibility is being confirmed.

Parking

There is limited parking on campus. Students who are Blue Badge holders can be given permits for a fixed period to park in QMUL car parks. Applications can be made in person at CB105 in the Queens' Building. Other applications must be supported by the Disability and Dyslexia Service.  Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service for further information.

Provision of a permit does not guarantee a parking place at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).

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