Disability support at University

Did you know that more than 10% of our students have told us about a disability?  This can include a specific learning difficulty (eg dyslexia, dyspraxia), a long term medical condition or mental health condition. You can access support at the University of Brighton by talking to the Disability and Dyslexia Team.  A Learning Support Co-ordinator who works in the Disability and Dyslexia Team can put a Learning Support Plan in place for your studies, this can include things like extensions for assignments, extra time in exams and other support.

You will need to:

  • Provide evidence from a medical professional or an Educational Psychologist’s report (post-16) for specific learning difficulties and then contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team.
  • Book an appointment with a Learning Support Co-ordinator in the Disability and Dyslexia Team after enrolling at university.

How can I contact a Learning Support Co-ordinator in the Disability and Dyslexia Team?

The Disability and Dyslexia Team is part of Student Services
Each campus has Learning Support Co-ordinators and you can contact them via Student Services.  These are the main numbers for Student Services at each university campus.

Eastbourne                  01273 643845
Grand Parade              01273 643584
Falmer                         01273 643584
Moulsecoomb             01273 642895

Email: disabilityadmin@brighton.ac.uk

Can I speak to someone in the Disability and Dyslexia Team before I start at university?

All students that disclose a disability on their UCAS application will be contacted by one of the team over the summer.  You can get in touch with the Disability and Dyslexia Team before starting at university to discuss your support needs.  This is particularly important if you have mobility, hearing or visual impairments or other complex support needs.
Please email disabilityadmin@brighton.ac.uk or call the relevant Student Services number above.

What is Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)?

If you have medical evidence for a condition or a post-16 Educational Psychologist’s report for a specific learning difficulty then you can also apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA).  This is a government grant that can provide IT equipment and one to one support to help you with your studies.  This can be discussed at a one to one meeting with a Learning Support Co-ordinator and if you are eligible they can help you fill in the DSA application form.

How do I apply for DSA?

You can apply for DSA before starting at university by going to the www.gov.uk website and downloading the DSA form: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms. Once you have applied for DSA, you will be asked to attend a Needs Assessment appointment at a local Access Centre, you will be sent a letter about how you can book this appointment. Please note that this Needs Assessment appointment is separate to a meeting at the university with a Learning Support Co-ordinator.  It is helpful for the Learning Support Co-ordinator to know if you have already applied for DSA prior to starting at university.

Further Support and Advice

The university website has lots of information about support and advice www.brighton.ac.uk/current-students

After you have received a studentcentral login, you can log an enquiry via the Help and Advice tab in studentcentral.brighton.ac.uk or you can email studentservices@brighton.ac.uk

Asperger’s Syndrome Social Group Ambassador Blog

My name is Rachel Sankey and I am studying Fine Art Printmaking at the University of Brighton. Alongside my studies I work as a Widening Participation Ambassador. There is one particular role as an ambassador which has had a profound impact on my perspective of ‘widening participation’. Working with the AS social group has opened my eyes to the importance of inclusivity and social wellbeing within university life.

The Asperger’s Syndrome Social Group is both for students who have a formal autistic spectrum condition diagnosis, and also for those who feel that such a group is relevant to them whether they have a diagnosis or not. Students get an opportunity to be involved in social events and have a chance to meet new people from different courses studying at the university. The demands of university life and moving away from home can be a disorientating, daunting prospect for anyone. We hold a meet up for an hour each week with the aim to provide a comfortable environment for the students to feel relaxed and able to kick back a little, hopefully forgetting about some of the stresses of coursework and exams!

As coordinators of the social group we are keen to get to know each student so that we can tailor what we do in the meet ups to their interests. During this academic year we have been lucky enough to have a private tour of the Amex stadium (with an avid Seagulls fan in the group this was a great way for the student to share their passion with the rest of the members). We have also been bowling and had a Domino’s pizza evening in the university’s Studio Union ‘The Hive’ (because who doesn’t love pizza?!).

Working with the social group has taught me invaluable skills. Not only have I learnt about the planning and admin that goes into organising social events but it has also got me to really consider the ways in which I communicate. I have massively enjoyed meeting and spending time with everybody in the group. As an already established group before I started I was apprehensive at first, but everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. I will be sad to leave!

For more information please contact Sebastian Beaumont by email on s.beaumont@brighton.ac.uk