Disability Statement

Access for All

Wakefield College welcomes disabled people. Our Policy for Equality and Diversity makes sure that all learners have the same rights.  The Additional Support Service is responsible for supporting disabled learners and those with language  support needs.

Who do I contact
How do I make contact?
Additional Support
Technology And Equipment
Special Arrangements During Examinations And Assessments
Counselling And Welfare Arrangements
Dietary Needs
Physical Access
Safety
Transport
Funding
Complaints And Appeals
Reviewing The College’s Disability Statement
More Information About Wakefield College
Different Format

Who do I contact

The manager of this service, Sue Hinchcliffe, is the contact for any issues you may have.  She can be found at the Thornes Park Campus.  She can be contacted by telephone on 01924 789892 or by e-mail at s.hinchcliffe@wakefield.ac.uk.

Sue will be able to give you advice and arrange a consultation with a Learning Support Tutor.

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How do I make contact?

You can ask for a consultation on additional support at any time. This could be when you first contact College, when filling in your application or enrolment forms, when you start your course or any time during your course. (The earlier you request support, the quicker it can be provided, so if you know you will need support or adjustments, contact us well before your course starts.) Please ring 01924 – 789120.

If you are not sure of how to do this ask a member of College staff or your Special Needs Co-ordinator if you are still at school.

We have good transition arrangements with schools, the Local Authority and Connexions within the Wakefield District and with special schools and colleges out of the area to make sure that transition from school/college is as easy as possible.

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Additional Support

Support is arranged depending on your individual needs. It is your support and you will be involved in regular discussions to talk about your support. You can ask for changes to be made to your support at any time. At the beginning of the year you will be asked to agree a Support Plan. This explains the types of support we will give you, the levels of that support and over what period.

Additional Support staff have a range of different qualifications and experience to support your needs.

Additional Support could include:

• adjustments by your subject tutors
• communication support                                  
• note-taking support
• reader support   
• in or out of class support by a member of the Additional Support Team
• support with personal care needs
• provision of assistive equipment and technology (subject to availability)
• adaptation of course materials (into Braille, enlarged text etc.,)
• support on residentials, visits, interviews and work placements
• help in carrying equipment you need for study

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Assistive Technology

The College supports learners with specialist technology needs through its own Assistive Technology Team, part of the Additional Support Service.  They are based at the Wakefield site but work across all sites of the College.  Individual needs and preferences are taken into consideration and, following assessment and appropriate training in its use, equipment can be loaned. Telephone Rachel Strauther-Sharp 01924 789155.

Examples of Assistive Technology provision (subject to availability) are:

• A range of computer hardware and specialist software
• Laptops, AlphaSmart and QuickPad word processors
• Reading/Scanning Pens, Cameras, Franklin spelling aids, dictionaries and organisers
• Video Magnifiers/CCTV’s, portable magnifiers and tape recorders
• Conversors, Radio Aids and Echo Tech Listeners
• A range of Accessories including Ergonomic Chairs, Desk Risers, Wrist/Mouse Rests and memory sticks etc

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Access Arrangements During Examinations And Assessments

Through Carol Whitworth in the Exams Office (Telephone 01924 789247) and in liaison with your personal tutor, you can ask for Access Arrangements (formerly known as Special Examination arrangements)  - for example, extra time, provision of BSL interpreters, support assistants, readers, prompts and scribes.  Please let us know as soon as possible about your exams so that we can follow the procedures laid down by the exam boards.

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Counselling And Welfare Arrangements

The College has qualified counsellors, welfare staff and experienced Additional Support staff that will listen to you and try and help you find a solution to any problems.  If you need to talk to a person with different skills – for example a Deaf Counsellor - we will arrange this.

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Dietary Needs

If you follow a special diet, the refectory contractor will make sure that as far as possible your needs are met.  The Catering Manager (Linda Brown) will be happy to meet and discuss your needs. (Tel 01924 789121.)

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Physical Access

Wakefield College continuously tries to improve its access for disabled learners.  Site plans, available from reception desks, give details of access for wheelchair users.  If it is not possible for you to get to your class we will try, wherever practically possible, to move the class.  Wakefield College’s inclusive accommodation strategy aims to ensure that physical access is a major priority in all new developments.  The Additional Support Team are consulted on all internal building works whilst our new build plans will be made available for feedback from disabled learners to ensure we meet their accessibility needs.

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Safety

The College has a Deaf Alerter system in place at the Whitwood, Wakefield and Thornes Park campuses.  Students, staff and visitors who need this facility should contact the reception points on these sites.  A system of evac chairs is in operation and a large number of staff are trained in their use.

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Transport

The College has its own mini buses which have wheelchair ramps. If you need to move between sites we may be able to help you. Learners who are not able to travel from home to College independently can apply for taxi expenses from the Local Authority, subject to eligibility. The contact number is 01924 306980. Learners who need transport between College sites within the day (for instance when attending enrichment activities) can request this from the Additional Support Team. Also there is an Access Bus Scheme operated by the five District Councils of West Yorkshire. The enquiry line number is: 0113 3481900.

Accessible car parking arrangements and reservation of parking spaces is available from our Estates Team. Tel:  01924 789728.

Support from our care-taking team is available on request.  Tel: 01924 789720.

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Funding

Funding for additional support is claimed by the college from the Learning and Skills Council. If you are on an HE course i.e. HNC, HND or degree course you may need to apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance to pay for the support you require.  If you require more information, help with your application or if your application is turned down please contact Joselyn Taylor, Learning Support Tutor.  Her telephone numbers are:

01924 789860 voice
01924 789867 text

She will be able to give you advice and arrange an appropriate assessment of your support needs.

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Complaints And Appeals

If you are not happy and want to complain you have the right to do so. The College has formal complaints and appeals procedures. You can find information in the Student Handbook and the College Charter. If you need help an advocate can be present. If you are not sure what to do or need help, please ask at any reception desk. Additional support will be provided if you need help - for example from a reader, BSL Interpreter, and/or scribe.

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Reviewing The College’s Disability Statement

The College’s Disability Statement will be reviewed, each year, by the Equality and Diversity Committee.  Recommendations, following the review, will be made to our Senior Management Team and the College’s Academic Board.

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More Information About Wakefield College

If you require any additional information about the College please see its prospectuses, ‘Your Next Step’, ‘Your Future’, the ‘Step Higher Prospectus’ and the College Charter.  The prospectuses and the charter are available at its three main centres and via Course Information on 01924 789111.  Also, you can visit the College’s website for information on www.wakefield.ac.uk

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Different Format

If you need this statement in a different form e.g. Braille, enlarged text, or audiotape, please contact the Adaptations of Materials Service 01924 789228 or ask at the Adaptations Office, next to reception on the Wakefield site. 

A BSL video of this statement is available on the college’s website: www.wakefield.ac.uk as well as accessible, electronic versions.

Our Disability Statement has been produced in a dyslexia-friendly font.  We recommend it to be printed out on cream paper.

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