Support for Disabled Students and Care Leavers
Disabled Students
Disabled students can get support from the application stage right through to graduation and the search for employment.
The university defines disability in the following ways:
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a physical disability or a sensory disability such as Blindness or Deafness
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a long-term health condition (more than 12 months);
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living with stress, anxiety, depression or any other mental health condition;
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a specific learning difference such as dyslexia;
It’s your choice whether or not to share your disability with the Univeristy or others however if the University knows, then they have a legal duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments' to support your studies. You can get support if you are a home student or an international student.
We’d encourage you to disclose your disability to the University to find out what support is available.
If you or your tutor think that you may have a learning difference, or you have a long-term health condition or disability affecting your studies, we would encourage you to contact the Disability & Dyslexia Team - gre.ac.uk/support/disability
Additional support from Government
You may be entitled to extra support if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability through the Disabled Students Allowance. To find out more about DSA and to check if you are eligible visit the .gov website here
Contact the Disability & Dyslexia Team for further information.
Mental Health Support
It’s not unusual for students to experience mental health problems. About one in four of us will have a mental illness.
For support with your mental health, please complete the online referral form here gre.ac.uk/support/counselling
IT Support for Disabled Students
In addition to support put in place by the university there are lots of free software available to support your learning:
- Go to Eduapps.org to download My Study Bar (small enough to fit on a USB key disk) – useful for students with dyslexia / dyspraxia, but others will find it useful.
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- Find out how to make MS Office software accessible at www.microsoft.com/enable
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For a HUGE range of resources to support Disabled students, go to the Diversity and Ability (DNA) website, www.dnamatters.co.uk/resources
The university has assistive technology available for use on its network:
Inspiration – this is a mind mapping software which you can use to help with generation and structuring of thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about this software here: www.inspiration-at.com
Frequently asked questions
I discovered my disability after starting university can I get help and how do I go about it?
Contact Student Wellbeing Service on wellbeing@gre.ac.uk so that an appointment can be made with the Disability and Dyslexia team to discuss and arrange support that you will need due to your disability.
Do I need medical proof in order to get support?
To access support from the Mental Health & Wellbeing, Counselling and STAART teams – no. Medical proof is needed if you require a Greenwich Inclusion Plan and/or want to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Who do I approach for help with an application for Disabled Students’ Allowance?
The Disability and Dyslexia and STAART team can support you with your application for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). You can make contact with our admin team to request an appointment via wellbeing@gre.ac.uk or attend one of our Daily Drop-ins – you can get the joining link from our admin team.
Are there any external sources of funding that students can access?
For students that are not eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) we can seek funding from the university to provide support. You will need to meet with the Disability and Dyslexia team so that your evidence can be reviewed and then support arranged.
Short explanation of GIPs - What is a GIP?
A GIP is the Greenwich Inclusion Plan – the support plan which outlines reasonable adjustments and exam arrangements that students require to ensure that they are able to fully access all aspects of their course. This is automatically shared with all staff on a need to know basis for example a student’s Personal Tutor, Programme Lead, Module Tutors, the Exams team, the Library team etc. Students MUST see the Disability and Dyslexia team to have a GIP created. It is not automatically created. Without a GIP, support cannot be arranged or communicated.
If my Lecturer is not following my inclusion plan who do I go to?
If you are comfortable to do so then please do speak to your lecturer first to find out what is happening. If you are not comfortable doing this then please do contact your allocated Disability and Dyslexia Coordinator and they will remind your lecturers about your GIP.
How can I update my GIP?
If your circumstances change and you require more support or less support then make contact with your allocated Disability and Dyslexia Coordinator to have your GIP updated or you can attend our Daily Drop-Ins to meet a member of the team and they can update for you. Please do email our admin team for the joining link.
How do I get accommodation that is accessible?
You need to meet with the Student Wellbeing Service Disability and Dyslexia team to review your evidence and to discuss the support required. Your allocated Disability and Dyslexia Coordinator will then liaise with our Accommodations Services team to communicate your needs. Alternatively feel free to speak to the Accommodation Services team directly first and they can contact us on your behalf – with permission from you – to discuss support needs and making your accommodation accessible.
Is there a community of disabled students at Greenwich?
STAART provides transition and pastoral support to disabled students. University life can be challenging. Many new students are moving from a structured environment at home or at work, school or college to a situation where they will need to balance independent study with their other commitments and social lives. For disabled and diverse students, these challenges can be more extensive, so good preparation and organisation is important. STAART supports students through this transition.
There are several ways to access STAART support. Students can:
Here at Greenwich Students' Union we have a Disabled Students network: Disabled Students' Liberation Network (greenwichsu.co.uk) www.greenwichsu.co.uk/societies/13219/
Care Leavers
The university offers specialist support to care experienced students. You can find out more about the support on offer here - gre.ac.uk/support/care-leavers
The support offered is additional to any support you should be getting through your home Social Services Department.