At Blackburn College we pride ourselves on our inclusive philosophy. Your experience really matters to us which is why we endeavour to place students at the heart of all our services.
If you have clicked on to this page you may have a disability or support needs and be wishing to enquire as to what support is available.
Whilst you might not see yourself as ‘disabled’, long term medical condition, visual and hearing impairments, specific learning difficulties, Autism and Aspergers, ADHD, physical impairments and mental health conditions may impact on your ability to be successful in your studies and the ability to achieve your full potential.
As we aim to provide a personalised service, we welcome all enquiries no matter how small, so please do not hesitate to contact the Service, where a member of our team will be happy to discuss your enquiries in person, over the phone or via email.
At the application stage
We would recommend that you declare your disability or support requirements on your UCAS or the online form when you apply for Higher Education. In addition, please contact us to discuss what support is available. Some arrangements take more time to organise; therefore, it is important you contact us as soon as possible.
Please note - without a declaration of your condition on your application, the Support Services will not be aware of your requirements and this will delay the implementation of any support plan until you get in touch with us. This includes postgraduate applicants who may have previously studied at our university as an undergraduate - any previous support is not automatically transferred to your post-graduate course.
Social care support
If you require personal care, you must arrange this yourself before you start your course. If you are a UK student, you may be able to arrange this through Social Services. Please ensure you allow adequate time for this to be arranged before your arrival, as the university may not be able to support you with personal care.
Kinga Jones
Disability Adviser
Contact us for queries or book an appointment
We are open for appointments Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm. Tuesday and Thursday 2:00pm - 4:00pm (other times by prior arrangement).
- Phone us: 01254 292269 01254 292577 01254 292585
- Email us: HEDisabilityServices@blackburn.ac.uk
What are the benefits of disclosing a disability?
We understand that you may have concerns about disclosing a disability or a support need, however a disclosure helps us to be proactive and anticipatory in making reasonable adjustments for you.
When we see you we will explain our disclosure and confidentiality policy which conforms to data protection requirements.
Support and advice before you start
We can offer support during admission interviews, campus visits and enrolment to ensure that they are fully accessible to you.
Impartial Advice to Identify Support Requirements
We can meet with you to discuss disability related issues and to identify support requirements. Any advice and guidance that we offer you will always be impartial.
With your consent, we will provide the tutors information on your specific requirements and identify what our responsibility is towards making any adjustments and what your responsibility is.
Referrals for dyslexic assessments
If you have previously experienced difficulties in education with reading text effectively, getting your ideas down on paper for essays or assignments, writing, spelling, time management or memory difficulties, for example, come and speak to us about it. We may be able to recommend a screening assessment.
Click here to watch a video about what type of support a dyslexic student might be able to get.
Support with Disabled Students Allowances application
You may be eligible for support under the Student Finance England Disabled Students Allowances scheme. We can help you with this or you can find more information on the GOVUK or The Student Room websites.
As this process takes a few months, you should contact us as early as possible.
Find out more about DSA from this video:
How we work with tutors and other departments in the college
We will liaise closely with the academic staff and other colleagues to look at adaptations to the campus and your environment and to promote inclusive teaching, learning and assessment.
Exam and assessment access arrangements
You may be eligible for adjustments in exams or assessments (such as extra time, alternative assessments or extensions to deadlines), we can discuss these with you and help you apply.
Pastoral Support - Emotional Health & Well Being
Our Students assistance programme is available 24 hours a day - 7 days a week.
Here to support you with home, education health & wellbeing.
FREE number 0800 - 028 3766. Information is printed on the back of your student ID card.
Our Access & participation officer is also available to help remove any barriers to learning & provide support, advice and referrals when necessary to internal & external support.
01254 292895
Safeguarding concerns should always be directed to the safeguarding team to ensure you get the correct support - 01254 292424 Safeguarding@blackburn.ac.uk
