Part1: UNNC Disability Support Policy
I. Policy Statement
UNNC Disability Support Policy is underpinned by current legislation: the UK Equality Act 2010 and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Disabled Persons 2018. They both state that disability is viewed as a protected characteristic. The Policy aims to standarize all disability support practice in UNNC in accordance with relevant legislation in both UK and China.
II. Scope
This policy applies to all full time registered students of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (“UNNC").
III. Definitions
Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
...if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
Key terms:
'substantial' is more than minor or trivial e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed.
'long-term' means likely to last for 12 months or more, e.g. a breathing condition that develops as a result of a lung infection.
Therefore, if you have a physical disability (including mobility disability, hearing impairment, visual impairment, and speech impairment), ongoing mental health difficulty, long-term medical condition, autistic spectrum disorder, or a specific learning difference such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or ADHD, you would be considered as having a disability.
IV. Policies for students with a disability
At The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, we are strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all our students. We welcome students with all kinds of disabilities and aim to ensure that, as far as possible, appropriate support is offered to meet their needs.
The University complies with current equality legislation, under which it has a duty not to discriminate against disabled students. The legislation requires us to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to our services so that disabled students are not placed at a ‘substantial disadvantage’.
Key Terms:
‘a reasonable adjustment’ is a change to remove or reduce the effect of a student’s disability so they can demonstrate their true potential.
‘a substantial disadvantage’ is defined as more than minor or trivial. Whether such a disadvantage exists in a particular case is a question of fact, and is assessed on an objective basis.
Disability Support, which is the part of the Health and Wellbeing Center provides information and support to enable disabled students to complete their studies as independently as possible.
1. Policy for admission to UNNC
As a public sector body, the University must show due regard (as outlined within the Equality Act 2010) for the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not;
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
All Schools are required to include consideration of the duty to promote disability equality in the operation of their admissions processes and application of entry criteria, and to identify and assess each applicant's requirements in an effective and timely way, taking into account the applicant's views.
2. Medical Evidence Policy
Medical evidence is required for students who are disabled or who have a long-term medical condition, in order to provide reasonable adjustments and to access services and support at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China.
3. Student Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy
Disability Support works under the Health and Wellbeing Center, which means that it follows two specific regulations.
Firstly, attendance for disability support is entirely voluntary. However, it is students’ responsibility to ensure that the University is aware of their situation if they would like to apply for disability support. Early disclosure to the University could ensure the timely provision of appropriate support services.
Secondly, confidentiality:
The University follows UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 on disclosure and confidentiality which requires the University to inform students that any data and information collected will be kept confidential. This is communicated to students and staff through the Quality Manual and during induction. Any disclosure related to disability will be kept confidential and will only be disclosed with students' consent or when it is required by law.
4. Examination & Timetabling Arrangements
The University’s Disability Support assists students registered with the Service to arrange alternate examination and timetabling. This needs to be negotiated with relevant University departments and as far as possible to accommodate individual needs.
Alternate Examination arrangements for disabled students
Students with a seen or unseen disability, such as physical/ mobility disability, visual/ hearing impairment, ongoing mental health challenges or a long-term medical condition (12 months or more) can request an alternate examination arrangement by making an appointment with Disability Support before the published examinations deadline.
Timetabling
All students requiring alternative arrangements should go through Disability Support. This is to ensure they receive an accessible teaching and learning experience to support them being independent learners. Staff members should inform Disability Support in advance if they know any student who will need adapted timetabling arrangements. Disability Support will contact the student to discuss their needs and will pass the recommendations to the timetabling office.
Short-term arrangements can be allocated to students who have an injury, condition or temporary illness which impact on their ability to attend the examination for ONE exam period only. Examples of possible conditions include: broken arm, complications of pregnancy, dislocated shoulder.
These arrangements MUST NOT be used as an interim period for students who have missed the deadline for long-term arrangements. EC's should be submitted in this instance and the student should seek to make an appointment with Disability Support
Please note that students should also be advised that if a short-term illness or injury is likely to extend into the next exam period, they will need to contact Disability Support for assessment to continue to receive adjustments to exam arrangements in future exam periods.
The policy will take into effect from 19/04/2021
The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China reserves the right of final explanation of the policy.