*** This blog post was written throughout my time at university but published after graduating due to poor health.
I am about to start my third year at Brighton University but have been studying for four years. As a disabled student, I know just how isolating it can be. That’s why I’ve decided to create a little series of posts and guides to help disabled students access university happier!
Most importantly - There are thousands of other disabled students like you- It can sometimes just be a little difficult to find them so ask your university if they have a disabled student society, or have any ideas of how they can help you interact with other disabled students.
Don’t feel bad about emailing your main port of contact at the university regularly. I have a learning support coordinator at my university whom I contact on a regular basis to keep them updated with my health flares - this way if I become behind with university at all, it’s all on my records if I fall behind with work. We also have a Student Support Guidance Tutor (SSGT) for each subject area, most universities will have someone in a similar role.
Emergency plan:
Having an ‘in case of emergency' plan is particularly useful for any disabled or chronically ill person, but particularly when you are a student studying away from home.
Do you have a hospital emergency plan? Would it make you feel more comfortable if you did?
If you live with others, it may be a good idea for your housemates to have a carer or parents' phone number in case of emergency. It might feel a little over-kill at first, but trust me that first 999 call-out is hectic when students are running about like headless chickens. If you get lucky and have great housemates soon your housemates will become experts in managing your emergencies with you.
Disabled Student Support at University
Having a ‘Learning Support Plan’ arranged by the university is vital in helping you succeed, it is recognised by all members of staff on and can benefit you, particularly in exams, presentations and assessments. My LSP has meant I do not have to partake in anything that will exacerbate my illnesses and also that my grades will not be affected as a result of my illness.
Being honest about your needs helps you in the long run this also includes outside of studying, for example: being honest with medical professionals about care needs.
There is so much support out there both within your studies and outside of university life.
Having the right support in place before things get bad rather than struggling alone is always the way to go. You are entitled to support within your education as a reasonable adjustment so if you feel you could be supported more always say!
The Law and Reasonable Adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 calls the arrangements that your education provider makes to meet these needs ‘reasonable adjustments’.
An education provider has a duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure disabled students are not discriminated against. These changes could include providing extra support and aids (like specialist teachers or equipment). I'm sure one day in the future I'll have the energy to talk about this more- but for now I need to get my degree.
Accessing the Community as a Disabled Student
Accessing the community is part of student life, as I know all too well, getting out of the house can be incredibly challenging with health struggles. Having help to access the community is not an embarrassing thing at all. The university student services and disability department have a duty of care to help you with knowledge on this.
Hobbies are important: If there is something that you enjoy doing at home with friends, looking to see if there's something similar in your new university town can be a great mental health support. If you find something that helps with your disability, keep the consistency and try to continue doing it at uni. For me, I love to swim, as my health has deteriorated it has become more difficult. I have hydrotherapy exercises which I do in the pool- I contacted local charities to find out about local swimming pools, emailing to find out the temperature of pools and their disability facilities, be that parking, changing room and toilet access and fees. Having a constant routine that can be altered to adapt to my health needs and deadlines whilst at university has been really beneficial. Through ALPB I have collated a list of local swimming pools here
Join Facebook Groups: (Channel your middle-aged mum).) Joining Facebook groups to find good local support has helped me access my community a lot more. I am in a lot of local groups in Brighton where I have met amazing neighbours who help me when I need it. Asking for help becomes a lot easier when you get to know your neighbours, particularly in a pandemic. I’ve had people on local pages get me shopping, prescriptions, carry my things, clean my house so diy jobs and even give me a free mobility scooter! Knowing you have a range of people to call upon if you’re injured or need help helps put your mind at ease. I’ve had neighbours help me with simple things such as carrying my wheelchair into my car and helping me pack it before driving home for Christmas. Strangers can be lovely.
Having just graduated after four long years at the Uni of Brighton, I thought I’d take the time to write a series of posts, I’ve teamed up with Access Your life and have shared some posts for you over there with lots of information so be sure to go and check those out.
During my time at uni I was told that 1 in 5 people in the lecture hall have a disability or additional need, yet I knew no other students like me studying for four years- as a disabled student, I know just how isolating it can be.
You aren't alone:
Remember there are thousands of other students like you- it can just be a little difficult to find them, things might not be accessible and that might be why you can’t find people- invisible disabilities exist- until you start talking to people you really don’t realise what people are going through, it wasn’t until my last year that I realised lots of people were young carers or had invisible illnesses too. Ask your university if they run any disabled student societies, set disabled student meetups, or have any ideas of how they can help you interact with other students. Similarly young people are a lot more engaged and willing to educate themselves on disability what with social media they are very accomodating too. At the same time you’re still you and as much as I love having chronically ill and disabled friends and think no one will understand me quite like them- definitely don’t be afraid to be you outside of your disability too.
Stay in contact:
Don’t feel bad about emailing your main port of contact at the university regularly. I had a learning support coordinator at my university who I contacted regularly to keep them updated with my health flares - this way if I became behind with university at all it’s all on my records. Similarly it wasn’t until after I intermitted on health grounds that I really felt like I found my voice- don’t feel bad for asking for things, remember you pay for your degree, whether you’re a mature student or 18 you know why you are at uni and what your needs are, if something isn’t up to scratch or you can’t access something say. We also had a student support guidance tutor for each subject area, most universities will have someone in a similar role- they are always lovely!
LSP:
Having a ‘learning support plan’ arranged by the university is vital in helping you succeed, it is recognised by all members of staff and can benefit you, particularly in exams, presentations, and assessments. My LSP meant I did not have to partake in anything that will exacerbate my illnesses and that my grades will not be affected because of my illness. Things like alternatives to solo and group presentations, having a scribe in exams, a note taker, extra time- anything that brings you up to an even playing field to your peers, Don’t be shy to ask for regular updates of your LSP as your health changes.
HONESTY:
Being honest about your needs really helps you in the long run, I spent way too long ‘pushing through’ partying, boom and busting, exercising way too much, for some students it may be their first time away from home, it’s a lot to handle (I hope this doesn’t sound patronising) but I genuinely struggled more with handling being a receptionist for myself with doctors and care needs etc than the uni content, make sure you are aware of how you are doing and don’t over do it, of course have fun, party with housemates or friends but make sure you (and they) are aware of your limits due to your disability- you don’t want to become really unwell.
PREPARING:
Have a list of accessible places that you may know of from chatting to people online or from sociability app or accessable so you’ll feel comfy when you go out during the day & night!!
There is so much support out there both within your studies and outside of university life. Having the right support in place before things get bad is always the way to go. You are entitled to support within your education as a reasonable adjustment so if you feel you could be supported more, say!
Make memories!!! Have fun. Make the most of your time you want to look back on your experiences and smile.
Questions to ask your university before you start or in your first week:
What are your policies on extensions if a student is in hospital for example?
What support could I be eligible for inside of the university?
Is there anything I need to know in terms of access issues in this city/ town? (For example Brighton is very hilly)
Where should I go in a medical emergency on site? Have you completed a PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan and is it neccessary?
Do you have any current disabled students who may be up to speaking to me?
Most importantly ask yourself what you would like to get out of your experience.
Remember nothing is set in stone. I even moved house half-way through my first year!
There are always options out there to help you.
Ask for help before you find yourself desperate.
Admitting you need support makes you stronger!
Try not to go home too much- it makes it harder)
Always a message away x
(Lauren and Trish x)
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