Disclose as disabled (current students)

Evidence overview

A GP/Consultant letter is appropriate evidence. How recent your evidence needs to be will depend on your impairment or medical condition. Please send any evidence you have and we will advise you if you need something different or more up to date.

Your evidence should contain:

• confirmation that you have a physical impairment or mental health condition that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities
• the length of time the condition or impairment has been present and whether it is likely to last for a long time
• effects on study that are observed or predicted at this time for example any mobility issues, sleep disturbance resulting in fatigue, concentration problems, lack of motivation, difficulties with taking notes etc.

Covering the cost

All applicants and students are required to meet the costs of any reports or letters.

Evidence overview

Please send a copy of your evidence to spld@uwe.ac.uk.

A diagnostic assessment is appropriate evidence.

It should:

• show confirmation that you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) for example dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or ADHD
• state that the report meets the 'SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines for Assessment of SpLDs in Higher Education'
• show that the assessment was provided by a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher.

Covering the cost

UWE Bristol provides diagnostic assessments and students are responsible for paying the full amount. However, there is a diagnostic fund available that may reduce the full amount for current UWE Bristol students. To book or enquire about prices, please email spld@uwe.ac.uk or view other ways to contact us.

Find out more about SpLD diagnosis.

Evaluation of need

During the COVID-19 outbreak it may not be possible to have a diagnostic assessment. As an alternative, an evaluation of need can be used to provide appropriate evidence up to Monday 31 August 2020.

An evaluation of need should:

• have an exploration of what you need to help you study at university, together with some useful indicators of areas of strength and weakness. A 'diagnosis' of a SpLD cannot be made but there will be indicators that you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) for example dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or ADHD.
• include the following statement from the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) Guidance on Physical Distancing and SpLD Assessment May 2020.

'Public health guidelines currently recommend physical distancing to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This evaluation of need could not therefore be carried out in person but is based on a process using an online video platform. It does not use a full range of tests to deliver a full diagnostic assessment but instead, following publisher and professional guidelines, uses a more limited range of tools. As such, the outcomes must be treated with caution. They do not provide a 'diagnosis' of a specific learning difficulty/neurodevelopmental difference but do provide an evaluation of need together with some useful indicators of areas of strength and weakness based on the taking of a detailed background 'history', the administration of a diagnostic questionnaire and the administration of a limited range of tests. The recommendations made should be regarded as preliminary and, where necessary, advice has been given as to the appropriateness of referral for further assessment when this becomes possible.'

• Show that the assessment was provided by a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher.

Covering the cost

UWE Bristol provides evaluations of need. To book or enquire about prices, please email spld@uwe.ac.uk or view other ways to contact us.

Once we have the appropriate evidence, we can put adjustments in place for you which could include extra time in exams and permission to record lectures, for example. There is a range of support that might be available to you.

Timeline

*Some reasonable adjustments will be put in place automatically when we have received appropriate evidence from you. Other non-standard reasonable adjustments may need to be discussed with your Faculty and other UWE Bristol services. We may also need to speak with you about these.