Disability Statement

The Department of Psychology is determined to implement fully the School’s policy of supporting students with a disability. It is committed to complying with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) by:

• Maximising accessibility to the Department’s activities for students with disabilities, and to ensure that no-one is treated less favourably on the ground of disability.
• Developing a culture of inclusion and diversity in which people feel free to disclose a disability, should they wish to do so, and to discuss reasonable adjustments in order to promote equal participation in the Department’s activities. In adherence to the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA 1998), such information shall be passed on only with consent and where there is a legitimate reason to do so.
• Reviewing, monitoring and revising, as appropriate, all Department systems, procedures, facilities and services in compliance with the DDA and SENDA in addition to the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), which includes the right not be denied access to education.
• Creating, maintaining and disseminating information about services, support and facilities available for students with disabilities.

Aims and Objectives

• To encourage all students of the requisite academic standard to consider applying to take Psychology;
• To enable disabled students to make informed choices and decisions;
• To ensure that successful disabled applicants can fully participate in the teaching programme, and any extra-curricular activities run by the Department.

In order to achieve these, the Department will:

• Make clear reference to the policy for disabled students in its publicity;
• Ensure that its admissions and assessment policies cover the needs of disabled students;
• Ensure that any special arrangements for disabled students are clearly communicated and in a timely manner;
• Ensure that the views of disabled students are sought and taken into account whenever possible when policies affecting such students are discussed or reviewed.
• Ensure that provision is reviewed annually.

Admissions

The Department will provide information for the School’s Admissions Tutors to make available to disabled applicants, which will include clear information about facilities for disabled people in the Department and points of contact;

Applications from disabled students are welcomed and will be considered on academic merit alone and it will be for the students to evaluate for themselves whether the facilities available will meet their needs; the Department will ensure that students have sufficient information to enable them to make such an evaluation.

Applicants are encouraged to disclose details of their disability to the Head of Department. However it should be noted, that such information will not be disclosed to any unauthorised party, and will be kept confidential if the applicant so wishes. It is the right of the applicant not to disclose such information if they so wish.

The Department’s entry test can be supplied in large text and audio formats if required.

Applicant information accessed via the Department’s web site can be adjusted to large print if required.

Evaluation & Feedback

The Department will seek the views of disabled students on their experiences in the Department, and disabled students will have the opportunity to comment on current practices and to suggest improvements;

The Department will evaluate its procedures on an annual basis.

Teaching & Assessing

Psychology teachers will endeavour to ensure that provision is made for disabled students as appropriate. This may include:

Making appropriate amendments to course delivery including providing handouts in advance, offering short breaks to students/interpreters, flexible deadlines and special versions of practicals.

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