Disability and inclusive support
Do you have a disability, mental health condition, specific learning difficulty or are you deaf? We are passionate about making sure education is accessible for everyone. Find out about the disability support that is available to you.
What disability and inclusive support is available?
- Inclusive Support Advisors
- Adapted accommodation
- Disabled Students' Allowance
- BSL interpreters
- Student Wellbeing Ambassadors
- Specialist equipment
- Academic adjustments
- Exam adjustments
Already studying with us and need inclusive support?
Our Student Hub has more information about the support you can get based on your personal needs and circumstances.
We strive to remove any barriers for anyone with disabilities as far as possible, to ensure that we provide an inclusive environment. More information can be found in our student disability policy. You can also view our student support privacy notice.
A brief guide to disability and inclusive support is below:
Sharing information
You can share information about any disability when you apply to study with us. This may be via UCAS or directly on our online application system. When you have been made an offer, you'll be contacted by our Inclusive Support Team to provide further information.
Reviewing support and adjustments
After you provide further information, you'll be allocated an Inclusive Support Advisor/Officer who will work with you and the course team to put an Inclusive Support Plan in place.
Applying for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
We can assist you with your application for DSA which is assessed by the Government. You may not be eligible for DSA, for example if you are a degree apprentice or an international student. In this case you may be offered an internal study needs assessment to review any additional support needs.
Ongoing support
We know that conditions and health can fluctuate, so your adjustments may need to change. You can access Inclusive Support at any time during your studies to review the support you need.
Disability support available to you
Once you have shared information about any disability, an Inclusive Support Advisor/Officer will provide confidential support. They will work with you and your course team to put in place support and adjustments, as well as helping with Disabled Students' Allowance.
You'll be able to fully access everything you need to thrive in your studies and university life.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a grant that helps to pay for extra equipment and support. This includes one-to-one support tutors, specialist equipment, software and the cost of extra travel. It is not means tested and does not affect benefit entitlement.
It is also important to note that applying for DSA does not in any way affect your chances of gaining a place at university.
Inclusive spaces
We aim to make our campus as inclusive as possible. That means making our spaces accessible to students with disabilities. Some of the accessible features across our campus include ramps, widened doors, accessible toilets and hard of hearing systems.
Disability support for apprentices
We are committed to supporting apprentices with disabilities and support needs. This includes advice, support and adjustments to help you achieve your full potential. You can find information about specific support for apprentices on our webpage. More information can also be found in our student disability policy.
AccessAble
AccessAble has detailed access guides to our buildings on campus, so you can plan in advance. It's kept up to date and has all the information you need, including photographs. Check out their helpful guides.
AccessAbleHear from our students
All the support I've received has allowed me to work at the same level as others on my course and helped me to achieve the best grades I can.
I am thankful to UCLan and their inclusive support team for providing me with such a positive experience, especially since asking for help can sometimes be daunting.
I was impressed by all the facilities provided for disabled students and the warm welcome I received. My technology and inclusive adviser are both very kind and willing to help. The support given to disabled students at UCLan is admirable.
I had struggled with a hidden disability throughout my educational life, but that all changed with UCLan’s amazing support available to us. Never be afraid to ask for help!
The Inclusive Support Team have never failed to meet my needs and I'm always included in my lectures and seminars. As a deaf person, I will always have obstacles in my path, but this will never get in the way of me achieving great things.
It's been a roller coaster of a journey, having dyslexia however the tutors have been amazing with the support in which have they have given.
Staff and academics have a big inclusive vision and are the people who are willing to put it into place at an individual level working with students to deliver a bespoke plan for the best outcome.
Reasonable adjustments
We provide an inclusive learning environment. If you have a specific need or disability, we will make sure you have access to the same opportunities as everyone else.
We reduce the need for individualised adjustments by making arrangements to benefit all students and apprentices. We can also make adjustments and change the way we do things on an individual level where necessary. Each case is different, but see below for some examples.
- Providing you with the opportunity to visit the campus before you start
- Providing lecture slides and handouts in advance
- Recording teaching sessions or allowing you to record them
- Providing hearing loop systems in lecture theatres
- Making adjustments to resources such as activating captioning, or providing specialist captioning software
- Providing a British Sign Language interpreter
- Putting in place specialist support, such as a note taker and one-to-one Language Support Tutor
- Marking assessments in accordance with marking guidelines for D/deaf and Hearing-Impaired students or apprentices
- Modifying the language of exam questions
- Providing you with the opportunity to visit the campus before you start
- Providing you with help in finding your way around campus
- Meeting with a dedicated Advisor in the first few weeks of term
- Providing lecture slides and handouts in advance
- Recording teaching sessions or allowing you to record them
- Providing support for group work
- Implementing non-medical help support such as a specialist mentoring, one-to-one study skills support and accessible software training
- Providing digital voice recorder equipment loans
- Providing accessible software on the University network such as Read & Write and Mindview
- Providing extra time in exams
- Providing the use of a PC in exams
- Providing a prompter
- Allocating you to specific accommodation on campus
- Providing lecture slides and handouts in advance
- Recording teaching sessions or allowing you to record them
- Providing a sensitive approach to dealing with attendance issues
- Providing you with sufficient time to move between classes
- Implementing non-medical help such as a specialist mentor and accessible software training
- Making necessary arrangements for curriculum, including field trips and placements
- Ensuring that you have an emergency evacuation plan if necessary
- Providing digital voice recorder equipment loans
- Providing accessible software on the University network such as Read & Write and Mindview
- Providing extra time in exams
- Providing rest breaks during exams
- Providing the use of a PC in exams
- Allocating you to a suitable room for exams
- Allowing you to bring food, drink and medication into your exams
- Allocating you to specific accommodation on campus
- Accommodating a fridge for medication
- Providing you with the opportunity to visit the campus before you start
- Meeting with a dedicated Advisor in the first few weeks of starting
- Providing lecture slides and handouts in advance
- Providing event capture or allowing you to record taught sessions
- Supporting you to develop group work and presentation skills
- Providing a sensitive approach to dealing with attendance issues
- Implementing non-medical helper support such as Specialist Mentor Support and Assistive Technology Training
- Providing Digital Voice Recorder loans
- Providing accessible software on the University network such as Read & Write and Mindview
- Providing extra time in exams
- Providing the use of a PC in exams
- Providing rest breaks during exams
- Allocating you to specific accommodation on campus
- Providing lecture slides and handouts in advance
- Recording teaching sessions or allowing you to record them
- Providing one-to-one explanations of practical tasks
- Implementing non-medical help, such as one-to-one study skills support and accessible software training
- Providing digital voice recorder equipment loans
- Providing accessible software on the University network such as Read & Write and Mindview
- Marking assessments in accordance with marking guidelines for students or apprentices with specific learning difficulties
- Providing coloured paper for question and answer booklets in exams
- Providing altered font sizes for question and answer booklets in exams
- Providing extra time in exams
- Providing the use of a PC in exams
- Providing a reader and/or amanuensis (scribe) in exams
- Providing electronic or Brailled texts
- Providing altered font sizes or electronic copies of material
- Providing lecture slides and handouts online in advance
- Providing reading lists online in advance
- Recording teaching sessions or allowing you to record them
- Providing Library support
- Providing Sighted Guide support
- Providing support with practical sessions, field trips and placements
- Implementing non-medical help such as Specialist Note Taking and accessible software training
- Providing digital voice recorder equipment loans
- Providing accessible software on the University network
- Marking assessments in accordance with visual impairment marking guidelines
- Providing altered font sizes for question and answer booklets in exams
- Providing extra time and the use of a PC and assistive software in exams
- Providing a reader and/or scribe in exams
- Allocating you to accessible accommodation on campus
- Providing spending pens for assistance dogs
We have a staff team of BSL / English interpreters, established since 1993. The team is made up of qualified and highly experienced interpreters, who interpret across a wide variety of subjects. Some of these include Law, Psychology, Fashion, Film and TV Production, Sports Performance, Deaf Studies, and Theatre Studies.
Our team of interpreters will adapt to your communication needs and individual styles of signing. They work with a diverse range of deaf students and apprentices with an equally diverse range of communication preferences. This includes British Sign Language, Spoken English, and Sign Supported English.
What to expect
Our team of interpreters provide access to key events throughout the year. For example Open Days, Offer Holder Days, information visits, and all university Graduation Ceremonies.
We work closely with course teams and timetabling. This ensures interpreters will be in all your lectures, seminars, any practical sessions. You can expect the same interpreters in each module throughout the semester.
Have any questions? Want more information about working with interpreters whilst studying at UCLan? Please email our Inclusive Support Team or text +44 (0) 7973660619.
We have dedicated Student Wellbeing Ambassadors who are currently studying at UCLan. They receive specialist training to provide one-to-one support across campus.
They can assist with specific practical support, including getting around campus and using assistive technology. They are also available to help with note-taking and support in practical sessions.
Practical support
Student Wellbeing Ambassadors (SWA) assist with tasks such as carrying belongings, opening doors, and providing support to wheelchair users.
Campus orientation
SWAs can help you to find your way around and become familiar with key routes on campus.
Sighted guide
They work with students who have a visual impairment to navigate campus and access university facilities.
Library support
SWAs can help with the retrieval of books, accessing the library catalogue, printing, and photocopying.
Workshop and lab support
They can provide agreed support during practical workshops and lab sessions.
Assistive technology demonstrations
The team offer one-to-one training and refresher sessions on assistive software that is available on the network. For example, Read and Write.
Course trips and placements
SWAs can assist on agreed course placements and/or course trips.
Notetaking and scribing
After agreement with Inclusive Support, SWAs can take notes in lectures or assist with typing up assignments.
Information for needs assessors and providers
UCLan is a registered Non-Medical Help provider for the role of British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter and Sighted Guide. For more information, view our webpage or email our Inclusive Support Team.
STAR programme
Are you an offer holder with a disability, a care leaver, or estranged? Join us on the STAR programme for a taster of university life. With opportunities to stay in our residential halls, and workshops to explore our facilities.
Discover our STAR eventsFrequently asked questions about disability support
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disability as any physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect of your ability to carry out normal activities. “Long-term” is generally accepted as having lasted, or likely to last, at least 12 months. This can include neurodiversity or a diagnosed mental health condition.
You may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you face extra student costs relating to your disability. DSA may contribute to:
- Specialist equipment. This includes assistive software, a computer for using the software, ergonomic equipment or recording devices for lectures.
- Non-medical helper. For example a sign language interpreter, study skills support tutor or mental health mentor.
- Travel expenses. Such as reasonable extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability. This does not include funding for travel costs that any student would incur.
DSA only cover costs related to academic study and do not cover course-related costs.You may not be eligible for DSA, for example if you are an international student, or a Degree Apprenticeship student. In this case, please contact the team as early as possible to review your support arrangements.
You can share information about any disability or learning difficulty you have at any stage of your application journey. Once you have an offer to study with us, a member of the Inclusive Support Team will be in contact.
Our team will review any information you have provided and assess the impact of any disability on your course. They will put in place academic adjustments, as well as exam/assessment adjustments. This will take place before the start of your studies to ensure support is in place from the very beginning.
Evidence of your disability is needed before individual adjustments can be made. The evidence required depends on your disability. Our Inclusive Support Advisers can advise you on the provision of disability-related evidence. If appropriate your requirements will be determined by a Needs Assessment Report (NAR). The University will use the NAR to identify disability-related adjustments.
Our Student Hub has more information about support you can receive based on your personal needs and circumstances.
Please visit our student support frequently asked questions webpage.
To support fire safety for deaf and hard of hearing people, we’ve installed the ‘Deaf Alerter’ system in many buildings on our campus. Find out more information on our Deaf Alerter system.
It is our mission is to increase choice, access and quality of provision for deaf and hard of hearing students entering and studying in Higher Education, and this is why we have created the Consortium of Higher Education Support Services with Deaf Students (CHESS).
Our aims:
- To promote and disseminate good practice in supporting deaf and hard of hearing students.
- To support all Higher Education Institutions in developing good practice.
To find out more visit: CHESS
Awards
- We’ve been awarded the maximum 5 QS Stars (Excellent) for inclusiveness (2025). We believe in helping people to seize every opportunity to flourish in education, at work and for life. Throughout our history we’ve always championed social mobility, working with underrepresented groups to ensure that everyone who has the potential to succeed at university is able to do so. Our 5 QS Stars reflects our pride in being a diverse, inclusive and multicultural institution which transforms people’s lives for the better. It reflects the outstanding support we provide to help students with disabilities, those with specific learning needs, people from low-income households, and others who need our help to overcome barriers which could prevent them from realising their potential. We ensure that nothing stands in the way of their success.5 QS Stars (Excellent) for inclusiveness
