Disclosing your disability

We’re here to help – but we don’t know if you don’t tell us!
Drake's Place gardens
The information that you provide will help us to work with you to establish your support and exam requirements during your time at University.The University values a diverse community of staff and students and disclosure about a disability will not prejudice your application.
If you are not sure whether your condition is considered to be a disability, it is best to still let the University know.
We are happy for you to contact us at Disability Inclusion Services to discuss any other queries or concerns.

Why should I disclose a disability or medical condition?

Disclosing a disability or medical condition will help us to support you during your time at university. This may include adjusting to your individual requirements for fieldwork or exams.

When should I disclose a disability or medical condition?

We do encourage you to disclose your disability as early as possible but you can do this at anytime during your course.
If you have a newly diagnosed or an additional condition, please let us know.

How do I tell the University about my disability?

You'll need to provide us with evidence to support your disclosure. This can be a GP letter confirming your diagnosis and/or a report confirming your specific learning difficulty, e.g., a dyslexia report.
If you would prefer to discuss disclosure with a Disability Advisor, we are happy to talk to you or to meet with you. Contact Disability Inclusion Services .

Why do you need information and evidence about my disability?

The Equality Act (2010) requires us to take reasonable steps to find out about your disability and to encourage you to disclose so that we can work with you to determine and meet your requirements for attending university.

What happens to my information and how is it used?

All information supplied regarding your disability is stored electronically and will be held securely and confidentially within Student Services and in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018.
Your consent allows us to use your information as a basis to ensure that appropriate support can be put in place for you. So we will need to share your information with relevant University staff. We produce a Student Support Document using your information which summarises your support and exam requirements and send this to Faculty for distribution within the Faculty.
Your consent also allows us to liaise with relevant external providers of support e.g. organisations who provide non-medical helpers, funding bodies, Disabled Students’ Allowance assessment centres etc.

I don’t want anyone to know that I have a disability; do I have to tell you?

No. If you choose not to disclose your disability you may not be able to access the full range of support available to you.