All education providers have a duty to make anticipatory
‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure disabled students are not discriminated
against. Where a disabled person is at a substantial disadvantage in comparison
with people who are not disabled, there is a duty to take reasonable steps to
remove that disadvantage by:- changing provisions, criteria or practices,
altering, removing or providing a reasonable alternative means of avoiding
physical features and providing auxiliary aids.
Additional information relating to the provision of reasonable adjustments for students training in regulated professions (e.g health, nursing and medicine) can be found in HEOPS fitness standard guides.
HEOPS fitness standard guides have been developed in consultation with the statutory regulatory bodies for a range of regulated professions is available.
The Equality Challenge Unit have produced useful guidance: Understanding the interaction of competence standards and reasonable adjustments.
The Reasonable Adjustments Review Panel (RARP) meets regularly to discuss levels of additional support funding to be provided for students with disabilities. Please read our terms of reference for the RARP for more information.
Read our guidance on Reasonable Adjustments for disabled students.
Useful links
- Understanding the interaction of competence standards and reasonable adjustments (PDF)
- Understanding adjustments; supporting staff and students who are experiencing mental health difficulties (PDF)
- Universities UK Student mental wellbeing in higher education good practice guide (PDF)
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Guidance on managing reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and students