Information for Applicants | Disability Service | Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Disability Service - Information for Applicants

��ݮ�� is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment which anticipates the needs of a diverse student population, including those with additional needs which arise from the impact of an illness or disability.

Inclusive provision for all students

We provide a range of services and facilities which may in some part meet your specific needs. These include:

A campus which is wheelchair accessible, with lift access to all teaching rooms and facilities.
Fitted induction loops in the large lecture theatres, infra-red systems in the smaller lecture theatres and portable induction loop systems for all other teaching venues.
A quiet AT room (to access this, please enquire at the Disability Service)
Guidance and training in the use of assistive technology to help with your coursework.
Academic support, including advice on appropriate study skills and academic writing from the Effective Learning Service.
Academic Disabled Student Coordinators within each department, offering a first point of contact for disabled students requiring advice or information.

Additional provision particular to the needs of individual students

The Disability Service can also assist students to access additional arrangements and facilities which are not generally available to all students at ��ݮ��. To access any of these you will need to provide written evidence of your illness or impairment:

A Needs Assessment appointment – this is a one-to-one meeting with a Disability Adviser to discuss and agree what support, facilities or adjustments you may require. This usually takes place prior to the start of your course.
Access to sole use of assistive software or equipment, and training in its use, if you are unable to make use of standard campus facilities or require specialist software or equipment.
Access to one-to-one support, such as communication support (interpreters, note-takers or ENTs) or personal assistance.
Study support/mentoring.
Access to any other facilities or services which might bear an additional cost.
Where students are eligible, the Disability Service will make recommendations that such costs are met through the Disabled Students Allowance. For all other students, reasonable costs will be met by the University.
Adjustments to exam or assessment arrangements (such as additional time or the use of a PC/scribe).
Adjustments relating to how your course is taught or how course information is delivered (such as provision of handouts in advance or permission to record).

This list is not exhaustive, and key to the provision of such additional arrangements or facilities is the impact of illness or impairment on the individual student, following their particular chosen course of study.

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The Application Process

Researching your chosen course

Find out as much as you can about your chosen course. How is teaching delivered? How is the course assessed? Does it involve placements? Does it involve the use of specialist equipment or techniques? What are the attendance requirements?

What do I need to do prior to starting at ��ݮ��?

If you have:

Accepted an Unconditional offer of a place at ��ݮ��

In order��for us to give you the best support in your studies, we would be grateful if you��would complete the Disability Service��as soon as possible after accepting your offer.

If available, please��upload��evidence��of your disability��on this form,��if you think you will need access to any of the support mentioned in the��Information for Applicants��guide.��

Not yet accepted an Unconditional offer of a place at ��ݮ��

If you have any concerns about how your Disability or condition may affect your studies at ��ݮ�� then please��contact��the��Disability Service:��disabilityadvisers@qmu.ac.uk.

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If you have any other��Disability related questions or concerns��you can:��

Please��contact��the��Disability Service:��disabilityadvisers@qmu.ac.uk��

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If you have any questions relating to your��application or offer:

Please��contact��the��Admissions Team:��admissions@qmu.ac.uk

Will I need to provide written evidence of my diagnosis/working diagnosis?

You will need to provide evidence if you will require access to additional provision or facilities not generally available to all students (see the section Additional provision particular to the needs of individual students above).

You will be able to upload a�� copy of any written evidence as part of the ��above.

What kind of evidence is suitable?

If you have a long-term medical condition or impairment, a letter from a medical professional (GP, Specialist Nurse, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Occupational Therapist etc) will suffice. The letter should be on headed paper, dated and signed. It should confirm your diagnosis and/or the symptoms or effects of your condition.

If you have a sensory impairment, you may alternatively provide a letter from an Audiologist, Optometrist or other suitably qualified professional.

If you have a diagnosed specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, you should provide a copy of your Educational Psychologist report, confirming your diagnosis and the tests conducted in reaching that diagnosis.

If you believe that you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (e.g. you have been screened or were deemed to have had dyslexic-type difficulties by a previous school or college), but have not been previously assessed by an Educational Psychologist, please contact the Disability Service for advice in the first instance. In certain circumstances, the Disability Service can arrange for formal assessment by an Educational Psychologist, once an applicant has firmly accepted an unconditional offer of a place at ��ݮ��.

I don't consider myself to be disabled. Do I have to do anything?

If you disclosed an illness or impairment on your course application form, your details will have been passed to the Disability Service.

Many of the students who annually make use of the Disability Service at ��ݮ�� would not, in most circumstances, identify with the term ‘disabled’. The University uses this terminology to be consistent with the legislation and funding frameworks within which we operate (e.g. discrimination law and Disabled Students Allowance).

At ��ݮ��, the term ‘disabled’ relates to the impact of an illness, impairment, developmental disorder or specific learning difficulty on the specific tasks associated with university-level study. The Disability Service works with a broad range of students including those with long-term medical conditions (such as MS, epilepsy, diabetes, chronic fatigue etc), mental health difficulties, sensory impairments, physical impairments, those on the autism spectrum and those with Specific Learning Difficulties (such as dyslexia).

If you have an illness or impairment which will not impact in any way on your studies or attendance at ��ݮ��, please do still complete the ��, advising us of this, so that we do not contact you again.

Further Information

Have a look through our main Disability Service pages on the ��ݮ�� website.

If you require further information or advice, please feel free to contact the Disability Service for a confidential chat. You can email us at DisabilityAdvisers@qmu.ac.uk.

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2023/24 Academic Year - Revised 10/02/2023