What disability support is available?

Manchester Metropolitan University expects all programmes to design and deliver an inclusive curriculum that reduces the need to make individual adjustments for many students.  

There are a number of core expectations identified by the Inclusion and Disability Service that ensure disabled students are able to access the curriculum - students will be made aware of these.

Some students may require additional disability related reasonable adjustments: the Disability Adviser will identify these through a Personal Learning Plan (PLP). 

​​​Core expectation: Learning materials and resources (for example PowerPoints or an outline of the session) will be provided, in an editable electronic format, at least 48 hours in advance of sessions. This is to allow for preparation of subject content prior to taught classes, in order to contextualise and absorb information and take notes more easily. This is also important for students with processing and sensory difficulties who need to use specialist software and/or support workers to access materials.

• Students will be provided with session outlines from guest speakers prior to delivery where possible. As above.

• Online materials/resources will be accessible to ensure all students have equal access to course materials and resources. 
   
• Students will be given time to read and assimilate instructions before being asked to respond. This is to allow sufficient time for students to process new information (this may include time to make notes), think about questions and provide a response. This may be particularly helpful for students with processing and/or concentration difficulties.
   
• Students will be provided with information in advance about how the course/unit will be delivered. This is particularly beneficial for students with processing difficulties, mental health difficulties or those on the autistic spectrum who may need time to adapt to changes to routines.
   
• Classes will be delivered in a structured way to allow students to follow topic changes easily. This is helpful for students with processing and/or concentration difficulties.
   
• Important references and sources will be displayed visually. This is particularly important for D/deaf students or those with concentration/short term memory difficulties.
   
• Reading lists will be provided that identify both essential and further reading. This supports students’ prioritisation of their workload.
   
• Additional explanations will be provided in classes, on request, to facilitate better understanding. Students that have difficulties absorbing and retaining information due to disability related reasons may require additional explanations to facilitate their understanding.
   
• Questions and comments made by other students will be clarified. This supports students who may not have clearly heard the question/comment.

• Subject-specific terminology will be clarified on request. D/deaf students or those with memory difficulties may need some support acquiring and retaining new terminology.
   
• Students will be given sufficient time to respond to questions. Students with processing, concentration, mental health or speech difficulties may need more time to formulate and verbalise their thoughts.
   
• Students will be given advance notice of room changes. This is particularly important for students with mobility difficulties or those who may struggle adapting to change.

Assessment of your work

• Information about assessment deadlines will be provided via Moodle. This support students who may have missed some classes or the content of classes. 

Laboratory, studio, practical, field-based, professional skills and placement activities

• Risk assessments will be presented and explained both verbally and in writing. A multi sensory approach ensures all students have the same level of access.

• Students will have an opportunity to discuss fieldwork and placement needs, if requested. It is recognised that for some students, they do not require this support for all fieldwork/placements, but they benefit from the opportunity to discuss fieldwork or placement needs with staff if required.

• If students are expected to undertake precisely defined tasks and experiments, they will be provided with detailed instructions ahead of time in order that they can familiarise themselves with what is required. This allows students time to adequately prepare and to identify any potential barriers or difficulties with tasks so they can request support if required.

• Students will be given sufficient time to take notes during explanations and demonstrations of activities, and to formulate responses and respond to questions. This benefits students who are D/deaf or students with processing or concentration difficulties.
   
• Students will be able to speak to a tutor if they have any concerns about group work. This is supportive of students who may struggle due to social anxiety or social/communication difficulties. 

There is a wide range of support for all students, including:

• Academic and Personal Tutors
• 24 hour Library
• Lecture capture and access to handouts and notes in advance of taught sessions
• Study skills workshops, online resources and vie one-to-one appointments
• Help to develop your academic writing
• Support if English is your second or additional language
• IT and printing facilities
• Laptop loans
• Student Software e.g. Office 365, SPSS, Minitab, NVivo and LinkedIn Learning.
• Assistive technology. For example, MindView is a helpful tool to plan essays or revision, whilst Read & Write can read electronic text aloud, provide enhanced spell checking facilities, and is a useful tool for proofreading. Workshops are available for students to learn how to use this software.
• Convert it! is an online Library service that converts documents into a wide range of alternative media formats, such as converting a word document into an audio file.

Additional study support for disabled students can include:

• Specialist support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) for academic study skills.
• Access to specialist equipment, assistance to locate research material, access to alternative formats and an accessible study room in the Library 
• Help with taking notes (for example, digital voice recorder loans and note-takers).
• Long-term laptop loans.
• Additional support from tutors (for example, assistance to catch up on missed work or to check your understanding).

Our Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing team are experienced in helping students with a range of problems to do with their mental health and wellbeing. Support is offered in confidential one-to-one appointments, online resources and through practical courses and workshops covering topics such as managing anxiety, overcoming low mood and handling stress.

If you have a disability or a long-term health condition, coronavirus may have made life more complicated. Student Space have a range of resources available that provide advice on how you can approach these new challenges.

Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs) is an umbrella term used to cover a range of frequently co-occurring difficulties, such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and ADD / ADHD. You can find more information on the British Dyslexia Association website.

Our dedicated SpLD tutors provide specialist support, including technology to support your learning. If you think you may have dyslexia and would like to be assessed, please contact us to book a dyslexia screening appointment.

Disability Advisers can recommend a variety of exam and assessment support. This might be additional time to complete an exam, or an extension to your coursework deadline, the use of assistive technology or support from a reader or scribe.

Get support in your exams

We offer all first year students who have a disability, health condition or dyslexia the opportunity to meet with current disabled students to access peer support at group meetings and social events. This can help you to settle into university life, through receiving additional practical advice and support, based on the experiences of other disabled students. 

Personal care is the practical help and support you may need in your daily life due to your disability, for example help with cooking, shopping or personal hygiene. You may already have a personal care package in place, but you may need a reassessment before starting university. Your local Social Services Department is responsible for this aspect of your support. Disabled Students’ Allowances only cover educational support, not disability related living costs. As personal care support can take a long time to arrange you should contact your local Social Services to discuss your requirements well in advance of starting university. If you are an International student or EU student you will not normally be eligible for personal care support through Social Services and this type of support is not provided by the University. Therefore, you will need to budget and arrange this type of support before arriving in the United Kingdom or coming to university.

Manchester Met has a variety of accommodation available to students. Wheelchair accessible study bedrooms with en-suite facilities are available in some halls of residence. There are vibrating or flashing light alert systems also available in some study bedrooms for D/deaf students. If you have a specific need relating to accommodation it is important to contact Residential Services well in advance of coming to university. We advise visiting Manchester Met to see the accommodation and facilities on offer so you can discuss any problems before you take up residence.

There are designated disabled parking spaces on campus and locally. Students should apply for a university mobility-parking permit, providing supporting medical information and/or a photocopy of your European Blue Badge as appropriate. Contact the Manchester Met Travel Team for information about how to apply.

If you’re a disabled student looking to find work alongside your studies, or are applying for jobs after graduation, find out how the Careers and Employability Service can support you.

Take a look at the variety of other services and opportunities available to support your Student Life.

View building entrance and interior floor maps for Manchester Met buildings.

A Personal Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is advised if you might struggle to hear an alarm or get out of the building safely in an emergency. You can arrange a Personal Evacution Plan (PEEP) by contacting the Student Hub directly.