Disclosure and sharing information with the Student Disability Service

Why tell us about your disability?

Sharing disability information with the University is important. It helps us make sure you can receive the support and adjustments you need to succeed in your studies. It's not mandatory to share this information, but we can't give you a Reasonable Adjustments Plan (RAP) if you don't. That means we can't arrange personalised adjustments for you.

Even if you don't personally identify with the term "disabled", you may still be eligible for necessary support and adjustments from the Student Disability Service.

How do I share this information?

You can disclose your disability during the application stage, or at any point during your course. We encourage you to share this information as early as possible. This gives us more time to create and implement a RAP tailored to your needs.

You can provide the information to us on your application if you are:

• applying directly to the University
• applying through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Disclosing this information will not impact your offer of a place at the University.

Who will see the information I disclose?

Information shared with the Student Disability Service is treated confidentially and only shared with your consent.

Consent and Authorisation Contacts

The Student Disability Service requires you to give your consent for us to share your information with relevant departments across the University. This is so that any reasonable adjustments you are entitled to can be implemented. Unless you agree, your application for support cannot progress any further. This means that the support we can offer you will be limited.

Your information will only be shared with the relevant members of staff involved in implementing the necessary support and this will consist only of the details in your RAP. We will not share medical evidence or further details without your consent.

Internal staff at the University includes:

• Wellbeing officers, academics, and teaching staff
• Exams Office
• Library
• Student Services
• Accommodation
• Estates

External contacts include Needs Assessors or specialist study skills tutors / mentors if you apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

It may also be helpful for us to share information with the appropriate contacts if you are undertaking a placement or studying abroad. Only the information relevant to your support needs will be shared.

Exceptional Circumstances

There are rare occasions where we might need to disclose certain information without seeking your consent. This could be in the event of safeguarding concerns or if we feel you or others are at risk of harm. In these situations, we may disclose information to your GP or parents / emergency contact.

Sharing information with a third party

If you'd like us to discuss details of your registration for disability support with a parent or other nominated contact, we will require your written consent in the first instance. This can be given in the form of an email and will be kept on your confidential case notes.

You can also give consent to Student Fees (Accounts Receivable) to discuss your account with a third party by completing the Authorisation of Contact details form.