Timetabling Arrangements for Disabled Students
This note is a reminder about the ways in which Academic Departments can be helped in making reasonable adjustments for disabled students’ access to teaching space.Sequence of events
Timetabling has to be carried out before definitive information is available about individual access needs. (For new students, there may still be doubt over who is actually coming; for returning students, there may still be unit-choices to be changed in the add/drop periods.)Before or during an academic year, the Department of Estates can advise about works scheduled as a result of the access audit, and will respond to works requests for making maintenance adjustments such as altering door fittings.
When specific (student / room) requirements are known, further liaison between Academic Departments, Student Disability Advice, and the Timetabling Section of the Student Records & Examinations Office can help in making appropriate arrangements and/or reasonable adjustments, according to the responsibilities below.
Department Administrator / Director of Studies
As the holders of information about the specific access requirements of disabled students in the Academic Department, it is essential that Department Administrators/Directors of Studies:- Inform any other Academic Departments within which the student may be taking unit options, so they can make appropriate arrangements with the Timetabling Section and Student Disability Advice
- Inform the Timetabling Section, so it can try to find the most suitable venue, at the earliest opportunity, and to liaise in turn with Academic Departments and Student Disability Advice, should there be any difficulty in accommodating the request
- Inform Student Disability Advice so we can give advice in respect of both centrally timetabled and department timetabled teaching spaces
Student Disability Advice
Student Disability Advice may have new or additional information about the needs of disabled students, and as a result it must:- Inform the Academic Departments
- Provide advice to academic departments and the Timetabling Section about reasonable adjustment for students who cannot access teaching locations
Timetabling Section
As soon as specific (student / room) requirements are notified to the Timetabling Section, it will:- Check against the timetable and list of accessible venues, and alert the Department Administrator and Student Disability Advice if there is a potential access difficulty.
- Work with Academic Departments and the advice of Student Disability Advice to help resolve potential access difficulties