Welcome to Disability Services
We're here to help with your study support requirements if you have a disability
About us
Disability Services is part of Student Services and is here to help with your study support requirements if you have a disability.
Whether you're a prospective student, applicant, current student or member of staff supporting students, we are here to assist.
- If you think you will need modifications to your January exam provision (such as extra time or a smaller room), please bring medical evidence to the Student Services Hub (on the ground floor of the Nancy Astor Building) and sign a disclosure form by 1 November.
What is a disability?
Disability can mean different things to different people. It may include you if you have study support requirements related to a disability, for example:
- dyslexia
- specific learning difficulties/differences
- mental health difficulties
- autism
- a long term health condition.
We've provided specific information for the following groups:
Wellbeing help
Do you need to speak with someone urgently because you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s immediate wellbeing or safety?
We've listed options available to you as a student or member of staff, including 24/7 services and support in times of crisis.
Wellbeing helpWhat's on
Workshops, groups, support sessions and events
Find out more about the following:
- personal development sessions, e.g: managing stress and anxiety, mood boost, etc.
- dyslexia-friendly study skills sessions (open to all students, not just those with a dyslexia diagnosis) e.g: skills for organisation and time management, effective academic writing, revision and exam techniques, interactive reading, etc.
- ADHD support group
- University of Plymouth Autism and Social Group (PAS)
- DSA drop-in.
Important information about GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25 May 2018 replacing the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). GDPR provides a legal framework for keeping everyone’s personal data safe by requiring companies and Higher Education Institutions to have robust processes in place for handling and storing personal information. GDPR is also designed to protect us as individuals from being contacted by organisations without our express permission.
For this reason, we ask you to download and sign our disclosure form, which allows us to exchange relevant information about your disability with University of Plymouth staff, relevant external providers of support (e.g. suppliers of enablers/support workers providers i.e. note takers, mentors, study skills tutors), funding bodies, specific support providers, DSA assessment centres etc.
Students can choose not to disclose, on the basis that non-disclosure may limit the support they can receive. Please take the time to read our information about the benefits of disclosing your disability, including frequently asked questions.
Here is a list of external agencies we may deal with on your behalf, if you give us your consent to share information:
Non-Medical Support Providers
- Student Finance England
- Student Finance NHS
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Southern Irish Council
- Student Finance Jersey
- Student Awards Agency Scotland
- Research Council
Disability Services
Student Services Hub Nancy Astor Building University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Our opening times: Monday to Thursday 8:30–17:00, Friday 8:30–16:30