Celebrating UK Disability History Month
Disabled people have existed throughout history. UK Disability History Month offers us a chance to reflect on the struggles and achievements of disabled people, whilst also fostering inclusivity and awareness. Whether you have a physical disability, neurodivergence, mental illness, sensory disability or invisible disability, we are here to support and celebrate you.
Disability first
You might be considered disabled under the Equality Act even if you don’t see yourself as disabled. You don’t always need to have a medical diagnosis - what matters is the effect it has on you.
Being disabled means having a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out day-to-day activities, or having certain long-term conditions.
Depending on how it affects you, a disability could be:
- Physical: mobility difficulties, hearing or sight impairment, long term injury, genetic and progressive conditions such as motor neurone disease and muscular dystrophy
- Invisible: learning difficulties, mental health conditions, neurodiversity including ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, diabetes
Supporting you
We recognise that all our students benefit from some kind of support, and that different people need to be supported in different ways.
If you have a disability, we encourage you to disclose this to our Inclusive Learning Team. Relevant staff will need to know what adjustments they should make for you, in order that you can be supported during your studies, but they are not entitled to know the reasons for these adjustments unless you choose to inform them.
If you've had support at school or college before and you want this to continue, you'll need to let us know. You may also be exploring support for the first time and have lots of questions about what's on offer. Once you have disclosed a disability or additional support need, we will make follow-up contact with you as appropriate, and begin the process of putting together a support plan as necessary.
Inclusive Learning Team
Our in-house Inclusive Learning Team are dedicated to providing personalised support for all our students. They will support you throughout your student journey, whatever your needs:
- Personal Learning & Support Plan (PLSP)
- Assistive technology and equipment
- Physical access
- Alternative assessment support such as scribes
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- The Study Bar support – from dyslexia support to revision techniques
Flexible learning
Many of our courses are delivered via a blended model – that’s a combination of face-to-face teaching and remote delivery. Our strength in blended learning means we have the expertise to enhance the delivery of our courses, allowing flexible delivery to suit personal circumstances and helping students to succeed at every stage of their learning journey. This approach means that a greater number of disabled people are able to access education.
Looking after your mental health
Mental health challenges can disproportionately affect disabled students. We offer a variety of services to support your mental wellbeing:
- In-house counselling service
- The Well-being Bar
- Mikeysline support drop-ins
- NHS healthpoint drop-ins
- Spectrum.Life
Inclusive sports and activities
Our Active Campus programme has supported disabled students to get involved in sport and activities. Jack, our Active Campus Co-ordinator, has run sessions in:
- Tartan Touch Rugby – a non-contact, simplified version of rugby open to players of all abilities who are looking to improve their fitness through simple and social activity.
- Boccia – a precision ball sport related to bowls, designed for those with disabilities that affect motor skills.
- Curling 360° – a project to get pupils with additional support needs from around Scotland involved in the sport of curling, in particular Floor Curling.
- Taster sessions – through the Moray Pride Inclusion Sports Hub, a wide variety of clubs have delivered inclusive and accessible activities on campus.
The Active Campus programme focus for 2024-25 is going to be on disability inclusion, with two bespoke events for students with additional support needs already in the works and plans to better identify students who may require more support to be active on campus.
Funding support
Depending on your level of study, you may be eligible for a Bursary or Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) funding. These can be used to cover additional study-related expenses that arise specifically as a result of your disability. More info >
Additional Support Online system
We have a UHI-wide system that allows students to access their support records. Students with a support plan in place can use the system to:
- Schedule appointments with support staff
- View, amend and approve their support plan
- View details of equipment loaned to them
- View details of support measures and exam arrangements agreed for them
- Produce university dyslexia stickers (if their use has been approved within their support plan)
Equality and diversity on campus
All UHI Moray staff are required to complete equality and diversity training with further training opportunities available twice a year at Staff Development Days. We are committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination in all aspects of its work and study.
Our Student Services staff have been trained by Communication Access UK to be able to support individuals experiencing communication difficulties.
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Policy
- Equalities Outcomes 2021 – 2025
- Student Bullying and Harassment Policy