What is a disability?

The Equality Act (2010) makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled students and places a positive duty to promote disability equality. Legally, disability is described as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

We aim to treat every person as an individual, with needs which may differ from those of other people with a superficially similar disability. We do not therefore have standard procedures for students with dyslexia, nor standard procedures for visually impaired students: each person's needs are considered individually.

We provide support for students with a range of disabilities:

  • a sensory (visual / hearing / speech) impairment
  • a mental health issue
  • a mobility impairment
  • a dexterity impairment
  • a physical disability
  • Asperger’s Syndrome or other autistic spectrum disorders
  • chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy, H.I.V.)
  • chronic pain / chronic fatigue
  • specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia)
  • any other condition which has a long-term and adverse effect on studying.