What is a Disability Access Plan?
A Disability Access Plan (DAP) identifies recommended reasonable adjustments and exam arrangements which will help a student to fulfil their academic potential and reduce the impact of a disability on their studies.
Disabilities may include:
- long-term mental health conditions
- long-term health conditions, mobility conditions and sensory impairments
- Specific Learning Difficulties/SpLDs (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia)
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
- forms of neurodiversity
Recommended reasonable adjustments are intended to complement broader inclusive teaching and assessment practices to meet the needs of a specific student.
Disability Access Plans are developed in consultation between the student and the Disability Service, where supportive evidence of a disability and/or long-term health condition is provided.
Recommended reasonable adjustments are based on supportive diagnostic evidence and course requirements. The Disability Service works with academic colleagues to seek to ensure that recommendations are appropriate and relevant to the student’s academic subject area.
Accessing a student's DAP
You can access Disability Access Plans for your student via SAMIS on the Web. It is possible to view an individual student’s DAP or to view a list of all students with a DAP on a particular unit/module you teach.
To discuss the contents of a DAP or an individual student’s support requirements, or if you are having trouble accessing DAPs via SAMIS, please contact the Disability Advice team.
Using SAMIS to view DAPs and access DAP reports
You can use SAMIS to view both individual DAPs of students linked to your role, and to view summary reports which can help you to understand the range of adjustments needed across all students linked to your role (e.g. as a Director of Studies or Unit Convener).
View the Guide on accessing DAPs in SAMIS to find out more.
What action to take
In addition to DAPs being available to view on SAMIS on the Web, notifications of DAPs which have been created or updated are sent to the Director of Studies, Academic Advisor and other Faculty/Department named contact/s.
DAPs are reviewed in response to changing circumstances highlighted by the student or academic department, and it can be helpful to review recommendations during key stages of the course (e.g. when returning from suspense or planning to undertake a placement). We encourage you to discuss the effectiveness of adjustments and any additional support that may be required with the student.
We encourage Unit Convenors to disseminate information within the department to any staff who do not have access to SAMIS including external lecturers, technical staff, doctoral students who teach and external examiners for viva examinations who may be supporting students.
Doctoral supervisors are encouraged to discuss with their students which information should be shared when with external examiners.
Getting additional support for a student
You should contact the Disability Advice team if you think that an existing DAP needs to change or if you encounter a student who may need additional support as a result of a disability. The Disability Service can also provide guidance to students seeking advice regarding potential diagnostic routes.