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What support is available?

There are a wide range of individual adjustments and study support available for disabled students, and the Disability Advisory Service will help you determine what support is appropriate for you at Oxford.

AUTUMN IN WYTHAM WOODS

In order to determine what support might be appropriate for you at Oxford, the Disability Advisory Service will:

  • Ask you about your experiences and expectations
  • Review your evidence of disability
  • Consider your current course of study

Support can be considered in these categories:

  • Teaching adjustments
  • Human support (also known as non-medical help)
  • Reasonable adjustments to the built environment
  • IT equipment and study technology
  • Travel between study sites
  • Examinations and assessments
  • Libraries

Support or funding is not provided for:

  • Daily living support (for UK students, the local authority service in your home remains responsible for social and personal care and non-study-related support)
  • Medical assesment or treatment- this is under the remit of the NHS or other healthcare providers

The support listed on this page is only a sample- what is available will depend on your individual circumstances. The adjustments recommended for you may be different from what you have received in the past. There may be different options or ways of working that can support you within the Oxford context.

For example, at Oxford, ‘stop the clock’ breaks during examinations are not generally recommended as an adjustment, even if you have received these in the past. This is due to the longer standard length of examinations here, and - . In this case, alternative ways of mitigating the impact of your condition during exams will be discussed with your advisor and/or college.

If you have questions about the support available, our advisors are here to help. Contact us at [email protected] or come along to a drop-in during term time.

The collegiate University shares responsibility for meeting the needs of disabled students. This is set out in Your Disability Support at Oxford.

The Disability Advisory Service will liaise with your college and department disability coordinators to implement your support. 

Your Student Support Plan

Registering with the Disability Advisory Service is complete once you have declared a disability, provided registration details and submitted suitable evidence. The Disability Advisory Service will check that all is correct and update your student record to make sure that you benefit from the measures outlined in the Disability inclusion statement which are key for providing access to learning for disabled students.  This is known as a 'SSP A'.

If additional recommendations for individual support are required a Student Support Plan (SSP) may be prepared, usually following a meeting with your Disability Advisor. We will need your permission to share your SSP so that the collegiate University can provide effective support.

Example Student Support Plans

We have developed a standard Student Support Plan known as 'SSP B' tailored to the level of study (under-graduate, post-graduate taught and research) and division.   This contains comprehensive information and advice with recommendations for adjustments that will be made, including exam adjustments where needed.

View example Student Support Plans:

In some instances the Student Support Plan is based on discussions between the DAS and yourself, so we recommend you get in contact with us for an initial appointment.  

The SSP represents recommendations only and your College or Academic Department will need to decide with you and DAS whether there are other more effective ways to make reasonable adjustments for your disability.

The SSP is uploaded to your student record and notifications are sent to the people who are supporting you:

  • Your college disability coordinator
  • Your departmental disability coordinator (the lead department if you are doing a joint course)
  • The Disability Librarian at the Bodleian Library (if you have library-related needs)
  • These people will share this information to core members of staff who need to know about your disability to support you.

The Disability Advisory Service will advise you on implementing certain support such as:

  • Getting in touch with tutors, mentors or other support workers
  • Arranging delivery of technology and training

Contact us

Disability Advisory Service
3 Worcester St
Oxford OX1 2BX
Tel: 01865 280459

Email: [email protected]

Opening hours

The Service is open 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.

There is level/lift access throughout, and a Hearing Support System in our meeting room. We have automatic doors at the main entrance and throughout the building.

Read about our building on the Access Guide.

During term time, the Disability Advisory Service provide a drop-in service at 3 Worcester Street for short 10-minute appointments for students to talk with a disability advisor. This is available 1-3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays during term time (weeks 1-8 inclusive). Please report to Reception on arrival.

Building access

The University's building access guide provides interactive maps, contact details, accessibility information and image galleries for each University-owned building. Or take a virtual tour of Oxford.