Reasonable Adjustments

When a student is referred to us, we will meet with them and carefully consider their individual circumstances and challenges. We then work alongside academic staff to ensure that students can fully access their learning and reach their potential.

It may be necessary to negotiate ‘reasonable adjustments’ in the delivery of information or assessment as part of this process. No two students the same, so adjustments considered reasonable for one student may not be suitable for another with the same diagnosis.

Often we find that relatively simple changes can help large numbers of students with diverse challenges. These may include considering alternative methods of assessment, for example replacing a live presentation to a large group with the option to pre-record or deliver it on a one-to-one basis. This adjustment may benefit several students with diagnoses such as anxiety, autism, or Specific Learning Difference.

Thinking flexibly about assessment methods, while ensuring that the skills and knowledge a student needs to demonstrate are properly assessed, can make a huge difference to student outcomes.

An exception includes some professional or medical competency assessments, which need to be completed under specific conditions.

An example of a reasonable adjustment to the delivery of information could include facilitating ‘rest breaks’ during longer lectures. This may help many students to refocus, not just those students with an ADHD diagnosis, chronic health or mobility difficulties. 

Providing lecture material in advance can benefit students who are unable to take effective notes or who find concentrating for long periods challenging.

Some students may have access to notetaking software which is invaluable to them for such things as timestamping sections of lectures to revisit; permitting students to use this in your lectures would allow them to listen again to the lecture content and ensure they also have accurate notes. Students are aware that they need to ask permission before recording sessions.

More information on reasonable adjustments can be found here