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Students with disabilities, impairments and specific learning needs

WCA seeks to ensure that all students are treated fairly and with equal access to all learning opportunities and assessment experiences. This includes students with specific learning needs, disabilities and impairments.

The QAA (2015) states that the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 identifies a disabled person as someone with: a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This definition covers a wide range of impairments, including physical and mobility difficulties; hearing impairments; visual impairments; specific learning difficulties including dyslexia; medical conditions such as HIV or cancer; and mental health difficulties.

The DDA has been enhanced by later legislation, particularly the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA) and the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

Institutions are under an obligation not to discriminate against disabled students by subjecting them to 'less favourable treatment' or by failing to make a reasonable adjustment to policies, procedures, provisions or the physical environment, in order to overcome a disadvantage encountered by a disabled student. Adjustments should be made where they enable disabled students to demonstrate the achievement of the learning outcomes that the institution requires to be shown for the award of credit and/or qualifications.
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nadp-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2010-Code-of-practice-for-academic-qual-standards.pdf
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WCA considers the personal circumstances of each of our students and will hold discussions with those affected to determine the most appropriate adjustments to make in order to provide fair and equal access to the course. Any adjustment will be made in accordance with their needs and opportunities to overcome relevant disadvantages, and at the same time to balance with the course needs for meeting appropriate standards, competencies and skills. The aim is always to tailor reasonable adjustments to meet the individual needs of the student.

Procedure

1. Students are asked to declare any impairment upon application to the course, in the knowledge that WCA will make the provision as above.
2. The student makes a written application to request reasonable adjustment(s) in their learning and/or assessments. The application should:
   1. clearly explain the impairment, disability or specific learning need and its impact within the context of training at WCA.
   2. include supporting evidence from a relevant registered health or clinical professional, such as a GP, consultant, healthcare practitioner, care assessor, occupational therapist, educational psychologist or diagnostic assessor and written within the previous three years of the course start date.
3. The student arranges a meeting with the Course Director to discuss the application. At that meeting the member of staff makes an initial assessment but informs the student that their case will be evaluated together with the Course Team and the final outcomes notified in writing.
4. The Course Director and/or the Course Team discuss and agree the reasonable adjustments to be provided and write to the student.
5. The administrative team is informed and discusses the details of the provision with the student. WCA will develop a Learning Support Plan (LSP) with the student as part of the implementation process.

The types of reasonable adjustments that may be offered include:

• Permission to make audio recordings of certain lectures provided they have gained the consent of the lecturer in advance, on each occasion.
• Extra time for examinations and summative in-class tests (e.g. MCQs essays, practical report proformas).
• Rest breaks during examinations.

Supervisors in the clinical setting will be made aware of a student requiring adjustment(s) and they will take this into account in providing the experience and supporting the student.

Please note:

Any adjustments provided will need to be balanced with the need to demonstrate skills and competencies necessary to meet the learning outcomes of the course and of the profession.

Students with similar disabilities, impairments or learning needs may have different reasonable adjustments. This is because each individual is unique and each case is tailored as closely as possible to their unique needs.

The entitlement will be reviewed at the start of each academic year such that entitlement remains appropriate and current.

Students are responsible for:

• Informing the WCA if their condition changes and providing up to date evidence as required.
• Contacting the administrative team one month prior to the event to ensure administrative arrangements can be made.
• Informing the administrative team if they decide not to use agreed adjustments in any or all of their examinations at least one week before the examination.

Compliance with Data Protection Legislation

Students claiming entitlement will need to declare that they agree to relevant personal information supplied being available for use and circulation as appropriate within the WCA. For example the WCA may need to share relevant information with a number of colleagues to make your support needs known and ensure reasonable adjustments can be put in place.

Students can decide not to disclose any information about their disability. If this is the case then it is likely that reasonable adjustments may not be able to be put in place. This will be discussed with you.

Last updated

2 September 2024

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