Students with Disabilities
Thinking of applying for one of our courses?
The faculty welcomes students with disabilities. We are particularly interested in providing an inclusive and supportive environment where all our students can fully explore and enhance their potential. Currently less than 10% of our students are disabled and we are keen to increase the representation of disabled people in the faculty (both students and staff).
Support we can offer
We are concerned to provide assistance at a departmental level in addition to the help provided centrally by Learning Support. General information on the services provided by MMU for disabled students is available on the Learning Support website or by e-mail at l.support@mmu.ac.uk.
Further useful information may also be found on the TIPS website.
Want more information?
If you would like further information regarding your disability and your potential application to a programme of study we offer, please contact the relevant departmental Admissions Tutor for the programme you wish to study.
We are happy to discuss any general queries regarding disabled students in our faculty and, if you are interested, we can arrange a meeting on the actual campus, so that you can fully appreciate all the facilities we have to offer.
Open Days
You'll be able to find out information about courses at MMU, accommodation facilities, student services, learning and teaching and sports facilities by attending one of our open days.
There will be opportunities to visit departments, tour the campus and accommodation facilities, and to attend a number of presentations taking place throughout the day.
Everyone is welcome though the event is especially aimed at those intending to start an undergraduate course.
If you require further information, please contact our Education Liaison office:
Tel: 0800 915 0668
E-mail: openday@mmu.ac.uk
How to apply
If you decide to apply for a programme of study in the faculty, please make sure that we are aware of any particular requirements you may have from the outset. Usually you inform us of these needs in the relevant part of the UCAS form. The department responsible for the programme of study that you are applying for will then inform the Learning Support team, who will send you an information pack and ask you to contact them directly to discuss your support needs.
As soon as you have accepted an offer of a place on a programme of study, you should contact the Learning Support team directly (E-mail: l.support@mmu.ac.uk). You will be sent more detailed information on relevant processes and you will be asked, at that stage, to provide appropriate evidence of your disability. The team will then help you through the process of organising support. It is important to start these processes as early as possible so that arrangements can be made in advance of your starting the course.
A package of support will normally be arranged through Learning Support to suit each individual student. Such assistance will include advice about applications for financial support and other personal assistance as well as advice on learning and assessment of study needs.
Assessing any needs you may have
If you are not already fully assessed then the university can provide:
- A full assessment of your study/support needs.
- Liaison with relevant funding agencies to secure support.
- Support for your study needs, for example:
- through the employment of a non-medical helper,
- attendance at study support groups,
- access to specialist equipment such as a computer and appropriate software.
However, arranging a support package like this can take up to three months. It is for this reason that an early start is advisable.
When you arrive
Once you are enrolled on a programme of study in a department, Learning Support will provide the department with a Personal Learning Plan for you. You will then be invited to meet a Disability Tutor for the Department to discuss your particular needs and anything the department may need to do to support you in your studies. The type of arrangements or additional support which may be available includes:
- note taking in lectures.
- additional tuition for effective study.
- provision of lecture notes in alternative formats.
- alternative arrangements for examination and assessment.
Again, it is important that these arrangements are confirmed well in advance of the examination or assessment.
It is also worth considering whether you need to talk, at an early stage, to support departments, such as the Library or the Information Systems (Computing) teams, to help you to access facilities and materials.
Student Support Officer
For further advice about any aspect of university life, including questions about study in general, the Faculty has its own dedicated Student Support Officer, David Peters, based in Room G13 in the Geoffrey Manton Building. David is able to offer advice and guidance to all students studying in the Faculty. He holds regular drop-in sessions and offers booked appointments throughout the term as follows:
Monday: 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Wednesday: 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Friday: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
Appointments are available by phoning 0161-247 6459 or e-mailing d.peters@mmu.ac.uk.
Facilities for disabled students
The Faculty of Humanities, Law and Social Science is located in three buildings based on the main All Saints campus. The Geoffrey Manton Building and the Mabel Tylecote Building (which are linked by a walkway accessible via the first floor of the Geoffrey Manton Building and the refectory in the Mabel Tylecote Building), and the newly built Sandra Burslem Building (formerly All Saints West) close by. Teaching accommodation is of a high quality, with the following facilities available:
Braille Printer
A Braille printer for use by staff and students is located in the Geoffrey Manton drop-in centre. Staff or students wishing to use this facility should contact the Faculty’s Information Systems Manager.
Car Parking
Limited numbers of car parking spaces are available at the side of the Geoffrey Manton Building and in designated areas within the John Dalton car park for students and staff with mobility problems. Students requesting a car parking space should write to the Senior Faculty Administrator, Faculty Office, Geoffrey Manton Building in the first instance with evidence of their disability.
Evacuation Chairs
Evacuation chairs provide a means of safely transporting persons with disabilities up or down stairways and should be used in the event of an emergency. Details of the location of evacuation chairs are given in the Faculty’s Emergency Evacuation Procedures leaflet, available to disabled students at the commencement of each academic session. Instructions on their use appear on the wall where each evacuation chair is located. Training in the use of evacuation chairs is provided for staff located in the vicinity of the relevant floors.
Induction Loops
All lecture theatres in the Geoffrey Manton and the Sandra Burslem buildings are equipped with induction loops for those students with a hearing impairment.
Lifts
All floors in the Faculty’s buildings are accessible by a lift and the controls are at wheelchair height level. There are ‘speaking lifts’ in the Geoffrey Manton and Sandra Burslem buildings, and the controls are also in Braille for those with visual impairment.
Lockers
A limited number of lockers have been purchased by the Faculty for use by disabled students. They are located in the Geoffrey Manton Building on the Ground Floor, off the Atrium and adjacent to Staircase 3. Students wishing to apply for a locker should write to the Senior Faculty Administrator, Faculty Office, Geoffrey Manton Building in the first instance providing evidence of their disability.
Refuges
In the event of an emergency evacuation disabled people, particularly those with mobility problems, must go to the nearest of the staircase areas designated as a refuge area. All refuge areas are signposted and numbered. The designated refuge areas will provide protection to disabled persons whilst they wait to be evacuated by the Fire Authority. Details of the location of refuge areas are given in the Faculty Emergency Evacuation Procedures, available to disabled students at the commencement of each academic session.
Accommodation
Where you will live whilst at university is often especially important for disabled students. It is important that we identify if there is any particular type of accommodation that you require. Through the Learning Support team, contact can be made with accommodation officers, at an early stage in the application process, to help you find somewhere suitable to live.
In recent years, a number of study bedrooms in our halls of residence have been adapted. The new Cambridge halls of residence on the All Saints campus are very close to the Faculty’s buildings where most of your lectures and classes will take place. Cambridge halls include adapted study bedrooms with en-suite shower and toilet facilities for 11 residents, with kitchens designed to be accessible. There are also flashing lights and vibrating alarm systems in study bedrooms for visually impaired/hard of hearing residents.
If you wish, we can organise visits to halls of residence when you come on a preliminary visit. It is also essential that you apply as early as possible for accommodation.
Information about accessible private accommodation (rented houses, flats and privately owned halls) is available on the Manchester Student Homes website.
Further Information
Learning Support
You can contact Learning Support on:
0161 247 3374 - Text and Voice
0161 247 3491 - Voice /appointments
0161 247 6520 - Text/switchboard
0161 247 6852 - Fax
Department Disability Co-ordinators
Each department within the Faculty has a Disability Co-ordinator. For the 2005/2006 academic session they are:
| Department | Co-ordinator(s) | Tel Ext. |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | Keith Gibbard | 6483 |
| English | Linnie Blake (Spring & Summer) Julie Wilkinson (Autumn Term) |
1738 1745 |
| History & Economic History | Gervase Phillips | 1740 |
| Humanities | John McHugh | 1727 |
| Information & Communications | Bob Glass | 6140 |
| Languages | Idoya Puig | 6187 |
| Law | Edwina Higgins | 2431 |
| Politics & Philosophy | Janet Mather | 6458 |
| Sociology | Dr Shoba Arun | 3439 |
The Faculty Disability Co-ordinator is the Senior Faculty Administrator, Nicola Clarke. She is located in the Faculty Office on the ground floor of the Geoffrey Manton Building and may be contacted on 0161-247 1756.
Access Summit - Joint Universities Disability Resource Centre
The four universities of Manchester all have designated staff to assist students with disabilities. They can advise on any aspect of your disability-related support needs (assessment/ examination arrangements, accommodation requirements etc.) and are keen that you make early contact with them.
Student's Union
Contact : Johnpaul Castrianni – Disabilities Officer
E-mail : s.u.disabilities@mmu.ac.uk
Phone : 0161 247 1162
Fax : 0161 247 6314
Visit : 3rd floor, MMU Students' Union , 99 Oxford Road , All Saints campus, Manchester , M1 7EL
Manchester Disabled People's Access Group (MDPAG)
This is a group of disabled activists in Manchester (including some MMU students and staff). They campaign for change around Manchester to improve access to buildings, transport, the environment and information. You might want to get involved or they can provide advice.
Telephone (voice or text) : 0161 273 5033
Website : www.mdpag.org.uk
E-mail : admin@mdpag.org.uk
National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Website: www.skill.org.uk