Declare a disability, learning difficulty or health condition

COVID-19 update: The Disability and Dyslexia Team are continuing to work with and support students during these challenging times.

Our Learning Support Coordinators who were based across all campuses are still available for drop-in appointments, 1:1 appointments and informal chats. All this can be conducted via Microsoft Teams which can be downloaded on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer.

During these video link ups we can advise you on the type of support we can offer you; issue Learning Support Plans; discuss how you can access medical evidence or provide some documentation with a diagnosis or your medication; and conduct Specific Learning Difficulty Screenings with you.

We also have specialist mentors, study skills tutors and note takers who can still work with you to ensure you receive the support you need throughout your studies.

The COVID-19 virus may have changed the way we work for the time being but it hasn't stopped the support we can deliver to you.

get in touch

We can help you with

Please speak to us if your studies are being affected by:

  • a medical condition
  • a physical disability
  • a mental health condition
  • a specific learning disability such as dyslexia.

The earlier you speak to us, the earlier we can arrange support for you. You can disclose to us at any stage of your studies – there's no time limit.

Please also tell us if you think, but aren't sure, that you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. We can book you in for a free screening.

  • Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
  • ADD or ADHD (attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
  • Long-term mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, psychosis and eating disorders.
  • Long-term illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, cancer, HIV, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome or multiple sclerosis.
  • Autistic Spectrum Conditions including Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Physical or mobility differences.
  • Visual conditions.
  • Hearing conditions.
  • Multiple disabilities, or any condition that lasts for 12 months or more and has an adverse effect on your studies.
  • Temporary injuries that prevent you from carrying out your everyday functions, eg a broken ankle.
  • Pregnancy-related issues.

Who should I speak to?

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 the disability and dyslexia team are working remotely. You can still contact them by email at  disability@brighton.ac.uk, or leave a message on 01273 643799 – we'll get back to you.

Why tell us

We can support you in a number of ways, depending on your funding eligibility. This includes:

  • Assistance applying for the Disabled Students' Allowance.
  • One-to-one mentoring or study skills tuition.
  • Specialist support for examinations and assessments.
  • Advising your tutors and lecturers on the impact of your condition on your studies and how to accommodate this.
  • Coordinating the academic support you need.
  • Arranging the loaning of equipment such as recording devices, computer equipment or assistive software.
  • Organising ergonomic aids such as chairs or book stands.

Confidentiality

A support coordinator from the Disability and Dyslexia team can assist you and try to answer your questions.

This discussion can be confidential if you choose, but complete confidentiality will limit the amount of academic support that we can arrange for you.

For more information about how we use and store your information, please see our Disability and Dyslexia Privacy Statement (docx).

The process to access funding and support

1. Provide us with evidence 

If you have a specific learning difficulty (eg dyslexia or dyspraxia):

Please supply us with a report confirming your diagnosis. This needs to have been carried out since your 16th birthday and have been assessed by a specialist teacher or educational psychologist.

If you're not sure if your report meets these requirements, or you don't have a report, please get in touch. We can help you get an updated report at no cost to you, after which we will be able to put support in place for you.

If you have a disability, medical condition or a mental health difficulty:

Please provide us with evidence from your GP or other medical professional (eg consultant, psychiatric nurse) confirming your diagnosis.

If you're not sure whether your medical evidence is sufficient, we will be able to confirm whether it meets our criteria. If you do not have medical evidence we can support you through the process of obtaining some.

2. Meet with us 

When we meet remotely via Microsoft Teams or through a phone call we will discuss the effect that your disability has on your studies and university life.

With your permission, we can then make recommendations to your academic school about adjustments that can be made to your teaching, placement and assessment. This might include extra time in exams, copies of lecture notes in advance, and extensions to essay deadlines.

We can also help you to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), if you are eligible. This can fund additional support such as mentoring, study skills tuition, and equipment.

3. Go to your DSA appointment 

You may have been successful in your DSA application and been invited to book a needs assessment.  However at the moment all needs assessment centres in the country are only offering remote appointments in line with government requirements. So this could be via video links or phone calls.

During the interim period we may be able to offer 1:1 study skills support or 1:1 specialist mentoring also via remote links.

Please speak to the team at disability@brighton.ac.uk or your Learning Support Co-ordinator if you have one. 

This is an informal appointment, which can last up to 2 hours and will determine what funded related items or support you will need for your course.

There are three Needs Assessment Centres in Brighton and you can attend the most convenient one for you. There are also other centres around the country. Use the DSA-QAG website to find your nearest assessment centre. 

Up to four weeks after your appointment, you will receive your 'confirmation of funding' letter. This outlines the items and support you are entitled to, plus instructions on how to order equipment and access support.

If your funding is through Student Finance England, you will be asked to pay the first £200 of your computer equipment. The university’s DSA Reimbursement Fund can assist students with household income of £25,000pa or less.

If your letter agrees non-medical support, such as mentoring or study skills tuition, we can help to arrange this for you.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this process on 01273 643 799 or at disability@brighton.ac.uk