Belinda Bradley, the Student Union Disability Officer at the University of Roehampton, talks about the support that disabled students can receive, and how to get it.
Updated: 29 Apr 2025
Going to university can be daunting. The idea of a being in a strange environment and surrounded by new people is something that can be worrying to many people. However, this anxiety can be made worse when you may require support for alternative needs, such as a disability, and have no idea how to put them in place, or if you’re even eligible to receive them. Your university will be your home for the next few years and a disability shouldn't hold you back as long as you become familiar with how to get the correct help.
According to the government Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is someone who has “a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities”. So, if you believe you fall into this category or if your university experience is being restricted due to impairment, you should seek out support.
Sometimes, defining a student as disabled can be difficult as not all disabilities are visible and very often this is something that is left undiagnosed until you attend university. However, the first step to receiving the relevant support is by contacting – via email, phone or meeting – the disability team at your university who will be able to provide you with all the support you need and make any decisions on whether any help is required and can be put in place.
Most of the time, you’ll be asked to provide evidence such as medical letters or screening reports to guarantee you’ll receive as much relevant help the university can offer. If you haven’t been receiving disability support in your previous institutions, most universities offer screenings or can refer you to a GP to get a diagnosis. It's important to be honest and transparent about your needs and condition, as this will be the only way to ensure that the support you receive is effective for you.
When you first start, explore the university, investigate who to go to and what help is on offer as well as attend your freshers’ fair to see if there are any societies or organisations that could cater to you, such as alternative needs clubs (who also organise many trips) and mental health officers so you have someone to chat to if you need to.
Regardless of those first nerves, everyone is in the same boat. If you’re completely stuck, try finding course reps, flatmates, ambassadors or welfare officers – there’s no harm in asking around and you’ll most likely meet students experiencing the same thing as you.
With so much potential help at your fingertips, the best way to find out what options are right for you is to talk to your advisors at university or even a disabled students officer if your Students’ Union has one.
You shouldn’t be ashamed or worried about asking for support, university staff are very experienced and supportive at providing advice on these issues and you won’t be the only student that needs support.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to request whatever you may need. No demand is too big if it can be proved to be a beneficial resource as part of your learning. After all, having the right help – for example, with things such as lecture notes printed out before the lecture or extra time in an exam – can make all the difference between you graduating with a first or a 2:1.
Looking at the financial side, Disabled Students’ Allowance is on offer to all those who need it to assist them in their studying as long as they have filled out their ‘needs assessment’ and met the requirements.
The value of financial support depends on your personal situation and could entitle you to help with specialist equipment, medical helpers and general allowances. It’s highly important you apply for any possible funding to make the process easier. You can check out if you’re eligible on the ‘disability benefits’ page on GOV.UK. If you require certain medical treatments, you can also refer to the NHS website to get funding during your time as a student as other allowances might be available for you – such as the NHS HC1/HC2 forms which can be a blessing when you’re on a budget and already receiving disability support.
It may come as a surprise, but more than half of students that attend higher education have a disability. So, universities are well equipped to assist and cater to most needs. It’s the university’s responsibility to make sure that your environment has the correct resources and motions in place to make your experience equal to the rest of the student body.
The basic stuff, such as accessibility, means you should have access everywhere including ramps or alternative routes to get everywhere on campus. Yet, disabled support can also come in the form of extra teaching materials, tutor support or student allowance. This all depends on what type of impairment you have and how you can cope with that.
Universities have an immense amount of independent resources that you can – and should – tap into so that you can make the most of your life at university and have a normal (intensely fun) experience.
Whatever their speciality, university is full of people wanting to make your experience great. Just remember, the possibilities of what is on offer for you can be almost endless and there are no obstacles in your way. University is indeed daunting when you first start, but it’s extremely rewarding as long as you take full advantage of what’s available to your needs.
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