14.2 Assessing students with disabilities
- Audience: This policy is for the attention of:- Heads of Schools, Directors of Teaching, Module Co-ordinators, Advisers of Studies, Directors of Postgraduate Studies; Student Services, Registry; All students.
- Scope: This policy applies to all students in the University.
- Responsibilities: Policy author: Director, Student Services. Responsibility for the implementation of the policy lies with Student Services.
- Relationship with existing policies: -
- Contact details: For advice and support on any aspect of this policy please contact the Director of Student Services or the Proctor's Office.
- Policy for the Assessment of Students with Disabilities
- Authors: Director of Student Services
- Approved: Academic Council on 18 April 2008
- Implementation date: Immediate
- Review date: November 2011
The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 obliges the University to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled students (and prospective students) are not placed at substantial disadvantage in comparison with persons who are not disabled. This includes assessment of academic work. Students must register formally with Student Services to have these adjustments put in place.
Registering
Students with a disability or long term medical condition which is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 must register with Student Services. Informing the School or Department directly is not sufficient for arrangements to be made. A student who declares a disability or long-term medical condition on entry to the University and requires academic arrangements will be required to meet with a Disability Adviser in Student Services. The Disability Adviser will access and consult evidence gathered from an appropriate individual or organisation before identifying the arrangements which need to be implemented in all aspects of the student’s academic studies.
Evidence
The student must provide current evidence to Student Services of their disability or medical condition, from a medical or specialist service, e.g. RNIB. Students with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia must submit a report from an Educational Psychologist, which must be dated not more than two years prior to first matriculation.
Information of previous allowances from other academic institutions or examining board, e.g. SQA, whilst helpful will not in themselves guarantee the same arrangements.
Procedures
Once academic arrangements have been identified by Student Services it is their responsibility to ensure that Schools and the Examinations Office are made aware of this information immediately via the EDIF system. The student will also be advised of their arrangements from EDIF.
Arrangements will fall into various categories:
- Extra time.
- Individual exam room.
- Use of a computer / assistive technology.
- Use of a scribe / reader / transcription.
- Adapted exam paper, e.g. font size, colour of paper, etc.
- Other arrangements, e.g. secretarial chair.
These arrangements will apply where practicable to all formal timed assessments, e.g. examinations, class tests.
Any disputes brought by students over arrangements should be referred to the Dean of the Faculty, who will take advice from all interested parties.
Implementation
Arrangements for examinations at the end of each semester will be implemented in accordance with the current guidance from the Examinations Office. Support and advice will be given by Student Services where appropriate.