Disability Support at King’s are a team of specialist advisers, who offer information, advice, and guidance to both prospective and current students, who have a long-term medical or mental health condition, Specific learning difficulties (SpLD’s) or other impairments that impact learning.
This includes but is not limited to:
- Specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and attention deficit disorder
- Long term medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome
- Physical mobility impairments that are not restricted to wheelchair users but include conditions such as repetitive strain injuries
- Hearing impairments
- Visual impairments
- Autistic spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome
- Mental health difficulties such as anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia
The rest of this article will give you an overview of how Disability Support can assist you throughout your studies, and some of the other services you can access.
What do Disability Advisers do?
Disability Advisers meet disabled applicants and students in confidential, one-to-one appointments. They are each linked to central services and faculties for whom they are the main contact for advice and training. Disability Advisers also participate in projects with colleagues within the university to support the advancement of inclusion at King’s.
Assistant Disability Advisers do not provide appointments, but they assist the advisers by answering phone calls and emails. The Assistant Disability Advisers run regular drop-in sessions and can follow up on queries about topics such as Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), assistive technology, exam provisions and accommodation. They are also the first point of contact for prospective students seeking information visits.
Support with Personalised Assessment Arrangements
If you have a diagnosed disability, Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), or a long-term medical condition that may affect your performance in written exams, you can apply for Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA), which is managed by the Central Examinations Office at King’s.
Disability Support can, however, help you when applying for PAA, and can review your supporting evidence before you submit your application. Take a look at our article What are Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA) for more information.
Support with King's Inclusion Plan (KIP)
A King's Inclusion Plan (commonly called a KIP) records your disability-related study needs and recommended adjustments that King’s can put in place to meet your needs, based on your disability. The information in your KIP will be available to teaching and support staff in your academic department and also relevant contacts in any other King’s department responsible for implementing adjustments.
How can I get a King's Inclusion Plan?
Disability Support can support you with creating a King's Inclusion Plan (KIP) To create a KIP, you'll need to arrange an appointment with a Disability Adviser to discuss your needs further. Take a look at our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time? for more information on how to register for the service.
Support when applying for Disabled Student Allowance
Our Disability Advisers can also support you when applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), a grant that can be used to pay for the additional costs of studying that cannot be met through reasonable adjustments provided by the university.
Examples of how the DSA grant can be used for include:
- Paying for specialist equipment, and software
- Funding non-medical helpers such as one-to-one study skills support tutors, specialist mentors, sign language interpreters etc.
- A general allowance for printing costs and travel costs may also be offered
Our Disability Advisers can also help you when applying for other sources of funding and have an additional fund for those who are not eligible for Disabled Students Allowance.
Support with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
A PEEP is prepared for anyone (staff or student) working or studying across our campuses, who may have difficulty leaving a building independently in an emergency (such as a fire evacuation). A PEEP should cover all requirements for evacuation, not just fire. (e.g. security alerts). Our Disability Advisers can also help you with obtaining a PEEP.
Arranging further support when on campus
In addition to the guidance above, Disability support can also assist you to arrange additional support options depending on your disability. Navigate to the relevant heading below:
What additional support can be arranged if I have a long-term medical condition?
If you have a long-term medical condition (for example, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Cancer, HIV, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Cystic Fibrosis, amongst others.)
it is recommended that you meet with a disability adviser at King’s to discuss any worries you might have.
In addition to the general support listed above, Disability support can also assist you to arrange the following support options:
- Assistance in the library
- Extended loans on books
- Timetabling adjustments
- Helping you to obtain permission to audio record lectures
- Helping you to access lecture slides and handouts in advance.
- Arranging assistive software and training available in the library, for example, voice recognition software.
- Helping you to gain access to a restroom or quiet space
Important to know:
- For more information on how to access any of this support, and to book an appointment, please refer to the guidance within the section 'How can I contact Disability Support'? below
- You'll need to provide evidence of your diagnosis before any arrangements can be put in place. For further guidance on how to provide evidence of your condition read our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time?
What additional support can be arranged if I have mobility impairments?
In addition to the general support listed above, Disability support can also assist you to access the following support options:
- Accessible teaching rooms and seating arrangements.
- Non-medical helper support such as notetakers and library assistance.
- Scribe & use of computer and assistive software programs, and ergonomic equipment.
- Helping you to obtain permission to audio record lectures.
- Helping you to access lecture slides and handouts in advance.
- Assistive software and training are available in the library, for example, voice recognition software.
- Library book collection service.
- Extended loan time on library books.
- Short-term loan equipment such as a digital voice recorder, and ergonomic equipment.
- Access to parking.
Important to know:
- For more information on how to access any of this support, and to book an appointment, please refer to the guidance within the section 'How can I contact Disability Support'? below
- You'll need to provide evidence of your diagnosis before any arrangements can be put in place. For further guidance on how to provide evidence of your condition read our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time?
What additional support can be arranged if I have hearing impairments?
In addition to the general support listed above, Disability Support can also assist you to access the following support options:
- Arranging notetakers, interpreters, and/or communication support for lectures, seminars, and tutor meetings
- Helping you to access accessible lecture notes, handouts, and reading lists in advance
- Helping you to obtain permission to audio record lectures
- Transcription of audio presented materials such as DVDs
- Priority seating arrangements
- Extended loans on library books
Induction loops
The University has a number of induction loop systems installed in lecture theatres and teaching rooms. Portable loops are also available for use from the Audio Visual department. If the induction loop is not working, please inform your tutor who will contact the Estates department.
Important to know:
- For more information on how to access any of this support, and to book an appointment, please refer to the guidance within the section 'How can I contact Disability Support'? below
- A member of the Disability Support team is BSL Level 2 qualified, if you require an appointment with them please specify this when booking your appointment.
- A member of the Disability Support team is BSL Level 2 qualified, if you require an appointment with them please specify this when booking your appointment.
- You'll need to provide evidence of your diagnosis before any arrangements can be put in place. For further guidance on how to provide evidence of your condition read our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time?
Important to know:
- For more information on how to access any of this support, and to book an appointment, please refer to the guidance within the section 'How can I contact Disability Support'? below
- You'll need to provide evidence of your diagnosis before any arrangements can be put in place. For further guidance on how to provide evidence of your condition read our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time?
What additional support can be arranged if I have visual impairments?
In addition to the general support listed above, Disability Support can also assist you to access the following support options:
- The Accessible Formats Service (which is part of Library Services) are able to request from publishers library books and resources in accessible electronic format
- Access to a range of assistive software and equipment in the library such as large screen monitors, large print keyboards, Supernova screen magnification and reading software, scanners, and OCR software.
- Extended loan times on books.
- Personalised examinations provisions such as examination papers in accessible format, extra time, scribe and reader, use of computer and assistive software programs.
- Helping you to access accessible lecture slides and materials in advance.
- Permission to audio record lectures and meetings.Readers, notetakers, library, and campus orientation assistance including for field trips.
- Short-term loan equipment and software such as digital voice recorders.
Important to know:
- For more information on how to access any of this support, and to book an appointment, please refer to the guidance within the section 'How can I contact Disability Support'? below
- You'll need to provide evidence of your diagnosis before any arrangements can be put in place. For further guidance on how to provide evidence of your condition read our article How do I register with Disability Support for the first time?
Additional learning support
Accessing support from Specialist Learning Support Tutors
A team of Specialist Learning Support Tutors provide interim learning support sessions for:
- Students who are in the process of applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)
- International, EU, and other non-DSA funded students
These one-to-one support sessions are aimed at helping students overcome difficulties by discussing individual learning styles, and needs and introducing helpful techniques to use, alongside your studies.
A learning support session is non-subject specific, and can cover any aspect of your learning at King's (such as organisation, approaches to reading, essay writing, revision, etc) but can't be used to proofread work.
Important to know: Disability Support also has a small team of Specialist Learning Support Tutors who provide learning support sessions to students not eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Disability Support are currently offering online appointments through Microsoft Teams or by telephone, and face-to-face appointments when requested. If you have a quick query, you can also book a short online 15-minute drop-in (up a week in advance) with an Assistant Disability Advisor; take a look at our article What student support services are available? for more information on arranging appointments.
What other support can I access for my disability at King's?
Libraries & Collections are committed to providing an inclusive service for the wider King’s community. Students registered to have a disability will receive extended library loans, and will have access to a wide range of facilities throughout their studies. You can find out more in our article How does the Library support disabled students?
Assistive Technology Rooms (or Booths)
We have 10 Assistive Technology Rooms (ATRs) that are distributed over 5 campuses, that provide a quiet study area with PCs loaded with assistive software applications, and access to printer and scanners. You can find out more about ATR's in our article How can I access Assistive Technology Rooms at King's?
Important to know: To use an Assistive Technology Room or Booth you'll need to contact Disability Support to register for access.
King’s Careers & Employability
Careers and Employability offer lots of support for disabled students, including a range of events, longer appointments and exclusive internship opportunities. You can find more information in our article How does the Careers and Employability Service help disabled students?