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The University offers support for a range of disabilities. We are here to help and to make sure that you can take full advantage of a university experience, whatever your disability or support needs.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

This may include:

• A specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia
• A visual impairment
• A hearing impairment
• A mobility impairment
• A mental health condition
• Other unseen conditions

The University is committed to offer support for any impairments that could affect your ability to perform on an equal level with your fellow students. 

Why should I tell the University I have a disability?

We want to make sure that all our students get the most from university life. If you tell us about your disability as early as possible, we can identify any support that you might need. If you tell us about it on your UCAS application form, we can discuss your support needs with you before you arrive.

Advice and guidance is available whether you have a physical disability or health condition; learning difficulty or mental health condition – even if you do not consider yourself to be disabled. You could also be eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This can help to pay for a support worker or other types of assistance.

You are not obliged to tell us about your disability, but if you choose not to, you may not be able to access the full range of support available. Please rest assured that any information you do give us about your disability is treated in the strictest confidence.

When and how can I tell the University I have a disability? 

We recommend that you use your UCAS form to inform us of any disabilities you may have and your support needs.

You need to fill in the necessary information on page 1, Section 2 of the form (titled Personal Details), where you will find a list of codes covering a range of disabilities.

Further advice about disclosing your disability on your UCAS form can be found in the Students with Disabilities section of the UCAS website.

If you have not told us about a disability before you arrive, you can talk directly to a member of the Disability and Learning Support Service by calling +44 (0)121 414 5130 or emailing disability@bham.ac.uk  

What support is available?

The University has plenty of professional support and advice to offer its students including the following:

• Advice before you arrive at Birmingham
• Regular contact with the Learning Support Team, Disability Team or Mental Health Advisory Service 
• Provision of individual Student Support Agreements 
• Liaison with departments and tutors 
• Mobility maps of Edgbaston campus and Selly Oak campus 
• Help with applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and other financial support.
• Guidance on arranging notetakers, readers and laboratory support 
• Specialist support from qualified Mental Health Advisors 
• An appointment with the Assistive Technology Advisor 
• Loans of equipment including digital recorders where DSA provision is pending
• Book fetching, extended loans and assistive software in our libraries
• Effective learning workshops
• Support with examinations including extra time if needed
• Useful videos and resources for students with dyslexia