Emma McKinney shares more tips for prospective students with disabilities around pursuing higher education
While there is a strong drive for universities and colleges to include more students with disabilities, we know that the process is often not easy. This month we look at some tips that you might want to think about if you decide to further your studies.
Do your homework
Research the university or college carefully before applying to study. Be careful about registering for online courses. Look at whether they are registered with official bodies or your qualification might be worthless and cost you a lot of money. For example, ask friends and family if they have heard about them, look at reviews on the internet, see who they are affiliated with.
Don’t just go with what they say on their adverts or webpages. Think carefully about your end goal. What do you want to do with your qualification? Will it be recognised if you want to study further or use it in another country?
Disability Disclose
Students are always torn about whether they should disclose their disability on their application form or rather wait to see if they get in first. The choice is yours to make. My advice is to make contact with the institution and see if they have a disability unit or service. You can look at their website or call or e-mail them.
Let them know that you are thinking of applying and ask for any advice. Some institutions can assist you with the application process, others only once you register, while some do not provide any support at all. If you require financial support, ask them if they know of any bursaries that are available to students with disabilities.
Understand your needs
For some of us, we do not need reasonable accommodations while others of us do. I encourage you to be honest with your needs and jot them down. They may be structural accommodations such as wheelchair ramps or grabrails for balance in the bathrooms. For others of us, we might need a scribe/note taker, or extra time.
You know your body best, and know what you need. Many of us come up with creative coping strategies on a daily basis. It is about identifying what we need so that other people understand and can accommodate us in the most suitable way that we need.
Communicate your needs
I encourage you to contact your department and ask for the contact details of your course coordinator before lectures start. Some institutions that have disability units or services can assist you with this, while other do not and you will be required to co-ordinate this.
Try set up a meeting with them and ideally your lecturers/tutors. It is important that when we communicate our needs, we are clear and solutions-focussed. For example, sharing “I have cerebral palsy and my fine-motor control is affected so I find holding a pen and taking notes during lectures difficult. What works best for me is recording my lectures and taking notes at home later on my laptop. Are you happy with me recording your lectures?”
It is also important that if you are struggling, that you communicate how you are doing, as lecturers are often open to students communicating their difficulties earlier rather than later. They may be able to provide you with additional support or resources, or refer you to services that can help you.