Reasonable Adjustments for students

What is a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)?

Once you give us evidence of your disability, we can work with you to provide support based on your needs. We will look at your application, and if necessary have an initial discussion with you. Then we will create an individual plan explaining what adjustments you need. This is known as a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP).

Reasonable adjustments are recommended on a case-by-case basis. They might include:

• exam adjustments such as extra time, rest breaks or a separate room
• extended deadlines for coursework
• accommodations for presentations and group work
• support in lectures and practical sessions
• adjustments when carrying out research
• support when completing a year in industry or study abroad
• timetabling in accessible rooms
• adjustments or prioritisation for suitable UoB accommodation, such as en-suite or wheelchair-accessible accommodation

We recognise that postgraduate students may require specific adjustments dependent upon their course and other unique circumstances. The Student Disability Service will ensure that your RAP is tailored towards your specific needs as a postgraduate taught or research student.

Postgraduate students who are required to complete a viva, for instance, may receive reasonable adjustments such as being allowed to bring in prepared notes, the presence of a support worker, and holding practice sessions.

This is provided to your School and other teams on a 'need to know' basis. This is so they can put your adjustments in place.

The RAP remains with you for your whole course and can be reviewed at any time. If you change your programme of study you'll need to let your Disability Adviser know. This is so they can make sure the correct people have the relevant information. This includes transfers between courses as well as moving from an undergraduate to a postgraduate course.

Who is eligible for a RAP?

We can provide you with a Reasonable Adjustments Plan (RAP) if you have a condition which meets the legal definition of a disability. This is defined in the Equality Act (2010). A disability is any condition which has a 'significant, adverse and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'.

The effect of the condition should be more than minor or trivial. That is, it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed. The condition must also have lasted or be likely to last 12 months or more.

Even if you don't think of yourself as disabled, you may have a condition or difficulty which meets this definition.

We see students with a range of difficulties, including:

• Specific learning difficulties (SpLDs), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD.
• Autism spectrum conditions.
• Long-term mental health difficulties/mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and OCD.
• Long-term mobility impairments.
• Sensory impairments.
• Unseen physical disabilities including:
  • autoimmune conditions
  • connective tissue disorders
  • diabetes
  • epilepsy
  • cancer
  • HIV
  • chronic fatigue.

How do I apply for a RAP?

To receive a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP), you’ll need to:

• make an application with the Student Disability Service, and
• provide appropriate evidence for your disability.

You can apply before you arrive at Birmingham or at any point during your course. RAPs are working documents and can be reviewed as needed.

You should complete the relevant form below, depending on your status:

• If you’re applying to study at Birmingham and don’t yet have access to your student username and password, please complete our applicant form.
• If you’re a current student (or a prospective student) with access to your university username and password, please complete our student form.

If you need reasonable adjustments for your exams, you will need to apply before the deadline for that assessment period. This is because we need time to produce your RAP and your School will then need to put your arrangements in place. If you miss the deadline, we will still process your application, but you won't get your adjustments for those exams.

If you are too late to get your RAP in place for your upcoming exams, you'll need to talk to your School's Wellbeing Officer. They can help you with the University's extenuating circumstances procedure; this allows your School to take into account things relating to your condition which may have affected your exam performance.

What if I already received a RAP on a previous course?

You need to re-apply with the Student Disability Service if you change course - this includes moving from an undergraduate to a postgraduate course.