Good morning everyone, today we welcome back Ellen Gibbins from our Wellbeing services team who has provided us with another great blog. If you will need adjustments to your accommodation due to a disability or health condition, then please read through today’s guest blog for information on what to do next.
Moving into new accommodation can be one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking parts of coming to university, and whilst everyone has different priorities for where they live, the most important thing is to make sure that your accommodation is right for you. This is particularly important if you have specific requirements due to a disability or health condition. If so, the best way to communicate your needs to the University is to get in touch with Wellbeing Services as soon as you can to discuss your adjustments.
Step One: Fill out the Prospective Student online form
The Prospective Student online form allows you to give the University details of the support you may require while you study here, which includes accommodation adjustments, exam adjustments, and teaching adjustments. When you fill out the form, you will be asked to give details of any adjustments you may need and to provide supporting medical evidence. It is important to note that we will need your medical evidence to specifically state the type of adjustments you need, as well as stating a diagnosis; for example, this may be to be placed in a quiet residence or to have a fridge in your room if you have to take refrigerated medication regularly.
Once we have received your submission we will be in touch with you to discuss your support. If appropriate, our advisors will then email the Accommodation team in support of your requirements, but rest assured that details of your health condition or disability won’t be shared. Our advisors will confirm with you if they have supported your accommodation requirements, usually via email.
Step Two: Apply for your accommodation from Monday 12th April
You will then need to apply separately for your accommodation when the applications open from 09:00 on Monday 12th April 2021; the guarantee deadline for applications is Saturday 31st July 2021. There is a tick box that you should tick when you apply to show that you have been in touch with Wellbeing Services about your requirements.
In most cases the Accommodation team will then get in contact at the end of August when they start to send out accommodation offers. They will only get in touch with you earlier than this if they need to confirm any details of your application.
Please be aware that if your needs mean you may require changes to a room’s structure, such as having a hoist installed, it is best to get in touch with us as early as possible in order to ensure that we have enough time to discuss requirements with you and to make the necessary arrangements.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions – we will be very happy to help.
Checklist
- Fill out the Prospective Student online form as soon as you can, attaching relevant medical evidence that contains specific recommendations for your support
- Keep an eye on your emails and action any subsequent contact from Wellbeing Services
- Apply for accommodation when the applications open on Monday 12th April
Thank you for reading today’s blog. This Saturday the 6th March will be our first Offer holder visit day, this is a great chance to chat to the team. We look forward to seeing you there!
Accommodation Shannon