REMOVING BARRIERS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS
accessibility statement
East Sussex College is committed to taking positive action to remove barriers to success for all students, particularly those who are disabled. We are happy to embrace the disability provisions of the Single Equality Act 2010 which echoes our own College commitment to promote equal opportunities and diversity.
If you are disabled, please tell us about your access needs or learning difficulty as soon as possible. It will help us to help you better if you contact the College before you apply, particularly if you need any individual arrangements for interview. In response to your application we will assess your access to learning needs and make every effort to provide the support or specialist equipment you need. We can also arrange for you to come for an accessibility visit. If we are unable to provide the support you need, for example, if a specialist service or re-source cannot be made available, we will let you know in writing, giving the reasons.
If you are disabled, you should not be disadvantaged in exams or assessments. Awarding bodies have clear guidelines about the level and type of support that can be given in par-ticular circumstances. Appropriate arrangements will be made for students who have been assessed as needing support.
Access to support is based on an assessment of your learning needs.Here are some examples of support we may provide:
The College prides itself on the level and diversity of qualifications of its staff, who are ex-perienced in supporting students with a broad spectrum of impairments and learning difficulties, including students who have hearing impairments, visual impairments, dyslexia, or other specific learning difficulties.
The Colleges main campuses are at Eastbourne and Lewes. Denton Island Training and Business Centre is in Newhaven. The College also uses many schools and community venues and provides education and training through franchise partners. Please contact us to discuss where you would like to study, so that we can advise you of its facilities and, if appropriate, arrange an accessibility visit with you. The Eastbourne and Lewes buildings are almost all purpose-built modern buildings with good accessibility and facilities. They have been audited to make sure they comply with the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4 and there is an on-going programme of improve-ments to make them even better. Denton Island Training and Business Centre is a new building and allows full access for users with restricted mobility or wheelchairs. At present, there is limited access to the upper floors of Park College, Eastbourne.
The College is required by law to consult with students and to involve them in decisions which affect them. Some of our students may be disabled and have particular access needs (they may have learning difficulties, sensory or physical impairments or mental health issues and need, for example, particular equipment, communication support, or materials in a format accessible for them). We are pleased to be told about the access needs our disabled students have, and if they are happy to discuss them with the relevant staff it helps us to do what we can to meet their specific needs and to understand how we might improve our services to all students, particularly those who are disabled. We also encourage all students to speak to their tutors, learning support teachers and course teachers about any problems or suggestions they might have about our service – and to become involved in various college activities to increase student participation.
The College is committed to providing the highest possible level of service to all its students. Despite our best efforts, things can sometimes go wrong. If you are dissatisfied, please talk first to your College contact and try to reach an informal resolution. If you wish to take your complaint further, please see our Compliments, Concerns & Complaints Policy & Procedure.