Access Solent

Working to support disabled students so they can reach their academic potential 

On this page:

Services provided by Access Solent|
Specific support for disabled students|
Accessing the service|
Information briefings during Welcome Week|
Further information and contact details|

Access Solent seeks to:

• provide guidance and individual learning support to students declaring:
  • specific learning difficulties,
  • mental health condition,
  • long term or chronic medical conditions,
  • physical or sensory impairments,
  • on the autistic spectrum,
  • or with short-term injuries.
    
    
• provide information to staff about specific students' learning and support needs to enable them to access the curriculum and wider University experience.
  
  
• work with others to support the development of good practice in inclusive and flexible forms of teaching and learning.
  
  
• promote disability equality, encouraging students to directly participate in University activities and decision-making.
  
  
• monitor, evaluate and report on our service provision to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our students and other stakeholders.

Specific support for disabled students:

The University has a published Disability Equality Scheme |and recognises the social model of disability, which establishes that everyone is equal and demonstrates that it is society which erects barriers that prevent disabled people participating and restricts their opportunities. 

Specific support for disabled students includes:

• Individual academic support e.g. dyslexia tuition, mentoring, notetaking and library support.
• Liaison with other departments, organisations and Local Authorities.
• Confidential advice and guidance with study problems.
• Assistive Technology available in the main IT Resource Centres and Assistive Technology Centres.
• Guidance in the use of assistive software and short-term loan of equipment.
• Assistance with making applications for a Disabled Students' Allowance.
• Screening and assessment for dyslexia and dyspraxia

Accessing the Service

You are encouraged to declare any:

• Specific learning difficulties (eg dyslexia, dyspraxia)
• Chronic or long-term medical conditions
• Physical or sensory impairments
• Mental health conditions
• Autistic spectrum declarations (eg Aspergers)

Communications prior to enrolment help the planning and resourcing process.

Disabled students must provide supporting documentary evidence. This could be an Educational Psychologist's report or a doctor's letter.

When you enrol, you will need to register with Access Solent and make an appointment to meet with an Adviser.  During the individual appointments we can arrange provision and discuss any concerns you may have.  We also run a drop-in time for quick appointments.

Information Sessions for disabled students:

Access Solent runs information briefing sessions for disabled students during Induction Week.  At these sessions you can find out more about the support offered, meet staff and register with Access Solent.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. 

All students who want access provision for a specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia or dyspraxia), medical condition, physical or sensory impairment, mental health condition or autistic spectrum declaration (eg Aspergers) should attend one of these information sessions. You only need attend one session.

Session dates for 2009/2010 are:

Further Information

Drop in: Access Solent is open throughout the year from Monday to Friday.  We welcome drop-in enquiries from 11-1pm and 2-4pm.  Appointments with Advisers, Tutors, and Mentors may be available outside of these times.

Phone: 023 8031 9201

Fax: 023 8031 9904

E-mail: access@solent.ac.uk|

You can find out more about Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and other funding from the direct.gov student funding web pages|