Disabled students

Staffordshire University is committed to enabling all students to achieve their full potential. In order for this to happen we recognise that students will, from time to time, require support from our Counselling team and that many of our disabled students will need individually tailored support for part, or all, of their course.

With this in mind, we combined the Disabled Student Centres, Staffordshire Regional Access Centre and the Counselling Centre in 2010 to ensure that students have access to an efficient, well-organised and promptly delivered service.

We're here to ensure that you have access to a full assessment of your study related needs and a support service that delivers exactly what you need to allow you to access your course successfully.

Many disabled students are entitled to receive Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) which help to fund the support the University offers.  In order for us to support you effectively it is essential that you apply for DSAs as soon as you possibly can and we'll support you in doing this. It can take a long time to establish your eligibility so the sooner you apply, the sooner you'll get your full support package.

We expect that you will play a full part in helping us to organise and deliver your support. To help you with this, we've produced a handbook (PDF, file size: 73.33KB)  that clearly describes both our and your responsibilities. You'll be given a hard or alternative format copy when we meet with you for the first time. 

If you are disabled but not entitled to DSAs, for example if you are an International student or your course is not eligible, we will work with you and your Faculty or School to get an assessment of your study related needs and deliver a support package appropriate to your needs. Again, we would ask you to let us know as soon as possible in order to get your support in place quickly.

If you are a student at a partner College then it is the direct responsibility of the College to help you to arrange and deliver your support. You should contact the Additional Support Service or equivalent within the College as soon as possible to get this underway. To help you with this, we've developed guidance to explain what you may be entitled to and how to access it.

• Staffordshire University Disabled Student Handbook (PDF, file size: 150.72KB)
• College Student Guidance (PDF, file size: 57.22KB)

For more information and contact details, read more about Disabled Student Support

The Staffordshire Regional Access Centre is part of the Student Enabling Centre and is here to make sure that you get an independent assessment of your study-related needs.

The Centre is a DSA Quality Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) Accredited Assessment Centre and we carry out assessments for students on behalf of all Funding Authorities and for all Higher Education Institutions. We can also help students with the application process for the DSAs.

Contact the Centre to arrange your appointment as soon as you have approval from your Funding Authority.  Providing you are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowances, you can come to the Staffordshire Regional Access Centre for your needs assessment, no matter where you live, where you are studying, or where you intend to study. If you are on a Higher Education course, or moving to a Higher Education course, we can help you to get the support you need.

Following your assessment, the Centre will provide you with a comprehensive report identifying the type of support, training and non–medical help you require.

For more information about the assessment and for our contact details, please read more about the Staffordshire Regional Access Centre. 

We all experience problems and difficulties that affect our mental wellbeing.  As a student, you may well find yourself experiencing such difficulties and sometimes these can interfere with daily routines, including studying.  If you find you are experiencing difficulties we can offer you specialist support in two ways.

Firstly, we have a team of professionally trained and qualified Counsellors who can offer you the opportunity to explore and hopefully resolve your difficulties in a non-judgemental and confidential setting. Appointments can be made at a time that suits you and you can discuss with your Counsellor the level of support you might need. We can also help to refer you to other agencies if that is more appropriate for your needs. Read more information on Counselling.

Secondly, you can also make an appointment to discuss your issues and needs with a Specialist Student Advisor.  They can work with you to help arrange support for you whilst you are studying and to help you to stay on track. You may also be entitled to financial support with this through Disabled Students' Allowances and the Advisor will be able to help you to apply for these when this is appropriate. Read more on Specialist Student Advice.

Staffordshire University is committed to giving you the best support possible whilst you are with us. This support starts before you arrive and continues past your completion.

We ensure that our service is as friendly, accessible and efficient as is possible and is delivered in an environment that is caring, confidential and secure.

Working with you to identify barriers underpins all that we do and we want you to enjoy the University experience to the full. To do this, we recognise that effective support is a two-way process and that you have a key part to play in the management of your support. We will discuss your responsibilities with you when we first meet.

We are committed to moving away from the Medical Model of Disability towards the Social Model and are working hard to remove the barriers that disable people in our community. We listen to the views of disabled people and respond as well as we are able to effect change.

Unlike support that you may have received before you chose to come to University, we would like to emphasise that, as an adult, you have significant responsibility for the management of your support and would ask you to pay particular attention to our requests for you to respond quickly where this is indicated below. This is because we understand that having support in place at the start of your course is critical to your success.

Whatever your needs may be, or if you are uncertain about what support you may need or be entitled to, then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Our contact details are listed below. 

We are open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday and have an answer machine service.