![Support officer sitting on a green chair and holding a notepad](https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/page_header/public/2024-01/disability-suppott-header.jpg?h=7d05a268&itok=Hu6J8tYR)
Disability Support
Disability Support
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible educational environment where all students can thrive. We aim to provide students who require support with the tools to enable them to work to their potential and demonstrate the true level of their abilities as an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
Our disability support services are tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Whether you have a physical, cognitive, sensory, or mental health condition, our experienced staff is here to provide comprehensive support and accommodations. We work closely with each student to develop personalized plans that ensure equal access to all aspects of university life, from academics to campus facilities and extracurricular activities.
Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond the classroom, and we take pride in creating a campus community that values diversity and embraces the contributions of every individual.
Support On Offer
Please complete our Support Needs Enquiry Form to request more information about how we can assist you to study with UWTSD.
We provide comprehensive academic support for students with long term health conditions and disabilities. Our team will support students in applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), including access to assessment and diagnosis for Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) e.g. dyslexia, where required. Our professional qualified team of Non-Medical Helpers (Specialist Support Tutors) are on hand to work with students to support their learning and help them to achieve their potential.
Regardless of DSA status, the Learning Support team are on hand to support students through unforeseen circumstances and difficult times which have impacted their studies. Students can seek support from the team and can apply for Extenuating Circumstances where appropriate.
Before arrival, the University has its own Assessment Centre which ensures that all prospective students have access to assessors with comprehensive knowledge of the support network and programmes we offer.
Please note: Students applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) can have their Needs Assessment undertaken at any centre.
Current students can request an interview to discuss their needs or concerns at any point during their course.
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Our goal is to give all students, including those with disabilities, equal opportunities to encounter our wide range of academic, social and cultural experiences. We try - with reasonable adjustment - to meet needs and overcome difficulties, so that these no longer present any barrier to potential and existing students.
We welcome applications from students with additional needs. A declaration of disability will in no way disadvantage you in the application procedure. Students with a declared disability are encouraged to visit before applying to see what facilities are available.
Disability Advisers and Learning Support Managers are available to discuss individual needs, in particular any specific arrangements needed for access, learning support, study support, lectures, placements, assessments and examinations.
Many of you will already have received some support for your studies, either in school or college, and found that support helped you to achieve good results. Many of our students at Trinity Saint David also benefit from support with their studies. If you know already that there is a particular reason why you will need support, it is best to get in touch with the Disability Adviser.
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Open Days are a perfect opportunity to come and see our campuses for yourself. Our aim is to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you have any disabilities and would like to express your specific needs ahead of an Open Day we encourage you to do so when you book.
Your well-being and success are important to us, and we are here to assist in making your visit both informative and accommodating. We look forward to meeting you and making your open day experience a positive and inclusive one.
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For those who are studying at a distance, we are able to provide a number of services to facilitate your study experience.
Our specialist support team is able to provide distance one-to-one specialist support for those entitled to DSA funded support via MS Teams.We also offer Study Skills support to all students via MS Teams through Study Skills Distance. You can find the timetable on the Student HWB.
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Any students with specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder are offered help with DSA applications, appropriate support and advice and guidance on reasonable adjustments. Support with:
- Strategies to improve your writing
- Exam preparation techniques
- Strategies to improve your organisational and time management skills
Dyslexia and other Specific Learning Differences - Information for prospective students
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David welcomes applications from students with dyslexia and other Specific Learning Differences. We can make arrangements for:
- Providing information for potential and present students
- Initial screening
- Assessment
- Access to the DSA
- Reasonable adjustments
If you have already been assessed as dyslexic or have another Specific Learning Difference, we advise that you contact disability support as soon as possible.
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We are currently following DfE guidelines.
UWTSD is keen to establish effective working relationships with external Non-Medical Helper (NMH) suppliers to ensure quality support provision for the benefit of our students.
Providers of Non-Medical Helper (NMH) support must adhere to the DfE guidance, and ensure that all relevant policies are in place, shared with the student, and made available to the University on request.
DSA-QAG requires external NMH suppliers to set up reporting mechanisms with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to inform them of the support being provided to students. They must explain to students the importance of the reporting mechanism, and encourage students to give permission for information to be shared. They must also familiarise themselves with the information provided by the HEI regarding the delivery of NMH services to their students, and cascade this information to support workers.
Our disability and mental health advisers are located in the University’s Services for Students directorate. The advisers collaborate with a network of disability contacts in our faculties and other directorates to facilitate an accessible and inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities. More information about the roles and responsibilities of our disability and mental health support provision is available. Details about other support services for students at the University are also available on our website.
Access for Support Workers
- 1:1 bookable confidential space
External providers are responsible for providing suitable meeting facilities that are comfortable, confidential and take account of the student’s needs. Due to the limited availability of 1:1 bookable meeting rooms at the University, external providers would normally be expected to make independent arrangements external to the University.
Visiting and Parking
On rare occasions when support is being delivered on-site, we have provided information on parking near the University’s campuses and directions to the University’s campuses.
UWTSD has several campuses, further information on the respective University campuses and the courses delivered at those campuses is available on our website.
The University’s access guides are also a helpful first point for information on access around the campuses and accessible buildings.
Health and Safety
If meeting students on-site, support workers must report to the relevant reception area on the University campus to:
- sign-in;
- confirm their reason for visiting and who they are visiting;
- request details of local fire and evacuation procedures.
External visitors are prohibited from entering unauthorised areas or areas that are not necessary or relevant to part of their work. If a fire alarm activates, support workers must leave the building as directed immediately. Similarly, any accidents or emergency situations must be reported to staff at the receptions immediately.
External NMH providers should also be mindful of University guidance on workplace/general safety.
Communication and Feedback
Information about support provision for disabled students should be sent to disability@uwtsd.ac.uk
External suppliers must:
- inform the University if supplying support to our students;
- notify the University of the named person within the organisation (including contact details) with whom we can liaise about any student support queries, and respond promptly to queries or concerns that are raised about student support arrangements
- provide copies of any relevant policies on request
- ensure funding is in place before commencing sessions with a student, monitor the use of the allocated hours, and ensure that students do not run out of funding (UWTSD is not accountable for any payments that Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales refuse to pay)
- arrange suitable meeting rooms for support sessions which will normally be off site due to the limited availability of suitable rooms on campus;
- signpost students back to their disability adviser or relevant faculty to discuss any issues relating to University services or their course
- contact the disability and mental health advisers via disability@uwtsd.ac.uk immediately if any concerns arise relating to engagement with the support, welfare, safety/security, or academic progression so that this can be followed up in a timely manner
- provide a summary report for each student receiving support at the end of each term (end of December, March, and June), to include the following information:
- name of student(s) and company registration number (CRN);
- name of support workers(s);
- brief description of support supplied;
- date on which support commenced;
- number of sessions/hours of support delivered that term, and total for the year to date;
- location of support provision;
- a note about any issues that the University needs to be aware of or follow up.
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Learning Support and Disability Support is a confidential service, and we will not share your information outside of the people involved directly with your support while at UWTSD . Information will be shared strictly on a need-to-know basis, meaning that only relevant information will be given when appropriate. We will exercise appropriate care at all times to ensure your privacy is respected.
We provide a mediated learning environment that demonstrates respect for both student and staff and empowers those involved in the learning process. This reflects the legal environment, where consultation is encouraged and involvement of the users is regarded as essential.
All material regarding additional needs is regarded as confidential until the student signs a declaration granting disclosure, for instance to lecturers, support staff or examiners.
There is an Individual Learning Contract to set levels of mutual expectation and which is discussed between the student and their support staff, then signed by each participant. This is reviewed at specific times during the year.For further information, visit our Confidentiality and Data Protection Statement
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Access Centres - Can all queries and NARs be directed via email - thank you.
Non-Medical Helper (NMH) Rates - University of Wales Trinity Saint David
NMH Support Rates
(shown per hour)Band 1
- Practical Support Assistant
- Total £15.00
Band 2
- Study Assistant
- Total £25.00
- Examination Support Worker
- Total £25.00
- Note Taker
- Total £25.00
Band 4
- Specialist Mentor – Mental Health
- Total £50.00
- Specialist Mentor - AS
- Total £50.00
- Specialist 1:1 Study Skills Support - SpLD
- Total £50.00
- Specialist 1:1 Study Skills Support - AS
- Total £50.00
- Assistive Technology Training
- Total £50.00
NMH Support Rates
(shown per hour)
Band 2
- Study Assistant
- Total £25.00
- Examination Support Worker
- Total £25.00
- Note Taker
- Total £25.00
Band 4
- Specialist Mentor - Mental Health
- Total £50.00
- Specialist Mentor - AS
- Total £50.00
- Specialist 1:1 Study Skills Support - SpLD
- Total £50.00
- Specialist 1:1 Study Skills Support - AS
- Total £50.00
- Assistive Technology Training
- Total £50.00