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Disability Policy

1. The University acknowledges and supports the social model of disability in which disabled people are seen to be disadvantaged not by their impairment but by social barriers, including the design of the environment, methods of information provision, institutional practices and the attitudes of others in society. The University further recognises the right of disabled students, staff and visitors to hold alternative views about their impairment and to make a personal definition of their own situation.
2. The University welcomes applications from disabled students, and seeks to increase substantially their representation within the student body. Decisions on admissions will be made primarily on academic grounds.
3. The University will continue to seek to improve working conditions and the possibility of career progression for disabled staff.
4. The University will seek to improve access on campus for all disabled users of University facilities.
5. The University Equal Opportunities Committee will keep under constant and detailed review the practical arrangements for the admission and progress of disabled students; the recruitment and career progression of disabled staff; and access improvements for all disabled members of the University community and visitors.

All disabled students will have access to the full range of student services provided by Lancaster University. The Disability Service will act as a source of information, advice and support for students with a disability and staff involved in supporting students with disabilities. Students should contact the Disability Service to discuss their circumstances and support needs.

Where a reasonable adjustment to a practice or procedure is needed (including exam and assessment arrangements), the nature of the adjustment will be determined through consideration of individual student circumstances and needs. This will include consultation with the student about the nature of their support needs. Factors influencing decisions about appropriate adjustments will include information provided by and in consultation with the student and estimating the effectiveness of proposed adjustments, including the impact on other students, health and safety issues and financial cost. Competence standards are not included in reasonable adjustments. A competence standard is defined as “an academic, medical or other standard applied by or on behalf of an [education provider] for the purpose of determining whether or not a person has a particular level of competency or ability" (Disability Discrimination Act). Competence standards may be applied to define minimum levels of achievement for admission, course credit or progression. However, adjustments may be appropriate to the assessment of a competence standard; adjustments may be needed to the way in which a student is able to demonstrate a competence standard.

Where adjustments are made or additional support is put in place, the Disability Service will notify relevant staff in order for agreed support to be implemented and update assessment information on the Lancaster University student record system (LUSI). If a student has a learning disability (e.g. dyslexia), they will have the opportunity to inform academic markers of their disability by notifying the Disability Service of this request; the Disability Service will provide this information to academic departments.

The Disability Policy is one of a number of discrete policies on equalities issues which relate to broader University equal opportunities policies for staff and students. The University Equal Opportunities Code of Practice recognises that all individuals have the right to take part in activities and utilise university services free from harassment or duress. All should be treated on the basis of merit, capacity and potential and not be disadvantaged or treated any less favourably on the grounds of gender, age, race, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religious or political beliefs, disability, sexuality, marital status, family responsibilities or on any other grounds not relevant to academic study or good employment practice.