Disclosing your disability
Guidance on disclosing an impairment, health condition or disability
Sharing information about a disability
You can share information about an impairment, health condition or disability when you apply to study at the University of Plymouth, or at any point during your studies.
Sharing information will not affect the academic decision on your application. It helps us provide advice and guidance and consider support or reasonable adjustments for your studies.
When can I share information?
It is helpful to share information as early as possible, as this allows more time for advice, guidance and support arrangements to be considered.
You can also contact us if:
- you receive a new diagnosis
- your circumstances change
- the impact of an existing disability, health condition or difference changes
- you have not received support before but would like advice
- you are unsure whether the term disabled applies to you
How do I tell the University about my disability?
What supporting information do I need?
As part of the disclosure process, you will be asked to provide supporting information. This helps us consider support or reasonable adjustments for your studies.
Supporting information could include a medical letter, diagnostic report, educational psychologist’s report or other relevant information.
If you do not have formal documentation, or are unsure what to provide, you can still contact Student Services for advice.
What happens to my information and how is it used?
The information you provide will be handled confidentially and in line with data protection requirements.
Where appropriate, relevant information may be included in a Student Support Document. This can include agreed exam provisions and information that helps open communication with relevant University staff about support or reasonable adjustments for your studies.
Relevant information may also be shared with support providers where this is needed to arrange or provide support.
We may contact you if we need further information.
Do I have to share information about my disability with you?
It is your choice whether to share information about a disability.
You can still contact Student Services for general advice. However, if you choose not to share relevant information, it may affect the support arrangements or reasonable adjustments that can be put in place to help you.
Contact us
If you have questions about sharing information about a disability, supporting information, or the disclosure process, please contact Student Services.