Southampton Solent University became a signatory of the AdvanceHE Disabled Student Commitment in September 2024. We are excited to share our progress to date from our Task and Finish Group and our commitment to future changes to improve the experiences of disabled students.
The Disabled Student Commitment has five themes: sharing information, choosing a course, transition into higher education, on course experience and moving forward.
| Disabled Student Commitment Theme |
Progress to date
| Future commitments |
|
Sharing information
|
- Flexible disability evidence requirements, including staff Constructive Evidence Form
- Support Plan review
- Updated Disability Advice Team Consent Form, including staff agreeing support plans on behalf of students
- Trusted contact consent available at student enrolment
|
- Development of student self-reporting form
- Support plans stored on student record system viewable by course team
|
|
Choosing a course
|
- Disability support at university training provided to local colleges
- Hosted local college students to share about disability support at university
- Attendance at college events for prospective students
|
- Further development of college training, resources and events
|
|
Transition into Higher Education
|
- Review of university policies against OIA principles
- Students’ Union accessible campus survey
- Agreed panel review process for Estates requests
- Disabled student social group
|
- Re-launch updated staff disability training
- Coursework extensions for disabled students
- Campus and toilets accessibility
|
|
On course experience
|
- Process for supporting attendance
- Guide Dogs UK Sighted Guide training
- Reviewed inclusive practice expectations
- Disability advice team student in-class course talks about support
|
- Inclusive practice expectations promoted for all academic and professional services staff
- Inclusive curriculum review and formalising inclusive practice, including block teaching
- Mode of assessment options
|
|
Moving forward
|
- Student Adjustment Planner information available for students
|
- Development of Student Adjustment Planner resources
|
If you have any questions about support at university, take a look at the disability advice team's pages on Solent Online Learning, or email disability@solent.ac.uk.
If you have any questions about the Disabled Student Commitment, please contact Tania Struetzel, Director of Student Success via tania.struetzel@solent.ac.uk
