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Here is a step-by-step guide on how to access the support provided by the Disability and Neurodiversity and the Mental Health and Wellbeing teams in Student Support and Wellbeing Services.
Step 1 - Check you're eligible for support
The Disability and Neurodiversity team, Mental Health and Wellbeing team and the wider Student Support and Wellbeing Services provide access to study for all disabled students which meets the Equality Act (2010) criteria.
Find out more about who we can support.
If you’re unsure whether you are disabled or have a long-term health condition, or if you have questions about what support you can access, we would be happy to discuss this with you at a drop-in session or in an appointment. Alternatively, you can contact us through askUCL.
Step 2 - Tell us about your disability or long-term health condition
Telling us about your disability will mean that you're able to access a range of appropriate support to facilitate your access to study. There are multiple ways to tell our team that you have a disability, whether you're a new student or have already started your programme.
If you're a new student, once you've told us about your disability, our team of friendly advisers will get in contact with you to request further information through our Applicant Support Questionnaire (ASQ). This will help us suggest appropriate adjustments when you come to meet us for the first time.
Find out more information about telling us about your disability.
Step 3 - Apply for funding
Some types of support including sign language interpreters, mental health mentoring and study skills tutoring will require you to apply for funding to cover these reasonable adjustments.
If you are a UK student, funding is provided through the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA). If you’re a new student, it’s important to apply for DSA before meeting with an adviser. If you are not eligible for DSA, support is still available and you should discuss this with an adviser.
Find out more about funding options.
Step 4 - Collect evidence of your disability
Before you have an appointment with one of our advisers, you should collect evidence demonstrating that you meet the Equality Act (2010) definitions of a disability to allow us to provide you with support.
Read our guidance on what constitutes medical evidence.
Read our guidance on medical evidence for those returning to study.
More information on what constitutes a disability can be found here.
Step 5 - Meet with a Disability Adviser or Mental Health Adviser to create and agree on your Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SoRA)
After telling us about your disability or long-term health condition (and completing the Applicant Support Questionnaire if you're a new student), our team of advisers will invite you to have a meeting with us.
In this initial meeting, we will discuss the following:
- how you feel your disability will impact or is currently impacting on your studies
- the types of support you may require
- evidence of your disability or long-term health condition
- any funding required for your support, and whether you have started the funding application process (DSA for UK students)
- your personalised support plan, otherwise known as a Summary of Reasonable Adjustments (SORA).
Read more information about the SORA process.
Step 6 - Stay in touch and keep us updated
Some students may continue to have face-to-face appointments with our team throughout their studies. Others may find that the initial appointment and SORA is all they need in terms of disability support.
In any case, we recommend that if you have any concerns during your time here at UCL, your circumstances change or the support you're currently accessing isn't working for you, then please get in contact with us so that we can discuss making changes that best support you.