Navigating University as a Disabled Student

University life can be tricky to navigate, especially for disabled students who may face challenges and experiences that aren’t always addressed. This toolkit is compiled from the lived experiences of fellow disabled students and Charlene, along with advice from Library Accessibility Specialist Hannah Marshall, to provide some tips for accessing support at university, studying, and finding community.

Tags: Wellbeing Tips and Tricks, Accessibility

Firstly, the place to start for disabled students would definitely be Disability Services (DS), which is under Wellbeing and Student Support. Any incoming or current students can register for DS by sending a message on the Student Wellbeing Portal at any time.

In my experience, registering upon enrolment in the summer before my First Year helped reassure me of the support available, and the summer Transition Programme for autistic students provided me with information and support that eased the transition.

You can still access support if you don’t have a diagnosis yet – I registered with DS on a working diagnosis when I was still awaiting assessment, and it boosted my confidence to know my needs were validated and met even before I received my diagnosis.

So, if you are struggling, I would encourage contacting DS, even if you’re unsure about whether you have a disability or are awaiting assessment / treatment (waiting lists can be long and they understand!).

You can also visit Wellbeing and Student Support at Senate House (turn right upon entrance to the automatic green door), where they hold drop-in brief consultations on weekdays 10-3, or booked appointments for counselling, mentoring and advice, either one-off or regular.

Whether you are going through a rough time mentally or need practical support on applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance, Wellbeing and Disability Services are a welcoming team that are well equipped and phenomenal at their jobs. We recommend staying in contact with them throughout your time at university as staff at Wellbeing really do care and want to help!

DS can also provide Reasonable Adjustments (RAs) for disabled students to aid with their study. This is usually done via a meeting with a Disability Advisor, where they chat through your needs and offer appropriate support, and then directly liaise with your academic department to administrate the agreed-on RAs.

In my experience this was very student-led, and I was given choices and opportunities to advocate for myself. RAs can offer alternative exam arrangements like separate rooms, extra time or rest breaks, adjustments to assignments like flexible deadlines, alternative formats or doing presentations differently, and extra support in lectures or seminars.

DS can also support you with applying for mitigating circumstances if you are struggling with your assessments due to your disability. RAs can ease the stress of working extra hard to catch up with non-disabled peers, and there’s no shame in having adjustments that you deserve to be able to achieve your goals without sacrificing your health!

RAs are distributed to your relevant academic staff (with your consent), which takes the pressure off having to tell each lecturer or tutor individually. Staff are generally very understanding and supportive, and they have experience with a range of different needs. Don’t be afraid to ask or express feedback as they are adaptable and there is always something someone can do to help!

In addition to RAs, take your time with your studies – especially if you’re navigating a new diagnosis or new academic content. We’re all on different journeys at university, so avoiding comparison is an important way to be kind to yourself and honour your own progress.

Speak to or email your module convenors with any concerns, and if you’re co-department, make sure to email both departments about your disabilities and access needs to ensure your exam rooms are accessible. If you miss lectures due to your disability or flare ups, there may be recordings on lecture capture, and you could also meet with tutors at their Office Hours to catch up. Lecturers can also send out PowerPoints in advance if you have hearing or sensory processing difficulties.

Ultimately, university generally provides more freedom for learning in different ways, like researching independently, watching videos, listening to podcasts, drawing mindmaps or discussing with friends! The Library is an accessible space for group and individual study, with assistive technology, adjustable seating, noise zones and various equipment to help students find tools to accommodate to their needs. Find out what works for you and know that your mode of studying is valid.

The campus is fairly flat and generally accessible to wheelchair users and those with physical disabilities, with lifts, automatic doors and ramps in all buildings. In terms of specific tips for wheelchair users, my friend advises using the less busy lift near the stairs at the back of FAB and the lift prioritised for disabled students at the Library.

While there are fun areas for gliding like the Oculus Floor, they also mentioned taking caution with the cracked roads at Lakeside and the slope at the bottom of Bluebell hill, and to avoid them when you’re self-propelling.

If you find yourself in a physically inaccessible situation, Community Safety is always available on call (their number is on the back of our student IDs) and can pick you up and take you home. If you’re struggling to access parts of your course, it’s worth reaching out – DS can help by arranging temporary mobility aids, and tutors might also be able to provide learning materials in more accessible formats.

For neurodivergent students who may have noise sensitivities, the University’s open spaces are generally quiet due to the campus’ location. However, it always helps to bring noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs to help avoid overwhelm in busier areas on campus, or to block out any construction or background noise while studying.

There are also many quiet and relaxing areas on campus, which can be great places to unwind, especially during busier term times: Tocil Wood Nature Reserve, Breathing Space at the Library, the Chaplaincy, Cryfield Hill and Lakeside area. I would suggest exploring different areas of campus and finding spaces that regulate you and offer you the sensory environment that you need. Bringing quiet sensory toys to lessons can also help with staying regulated and easing stress.

Last but not least, finding belonging as disabled students is an important contributor to our wellbeing at university. In our experiences, it can take time (and some confusion and frustration), but university has been the place where a lot of disabled students find community and friendship.

Disability-friendly societies, like Warwick Enable, Autism at Warwick, ADHD soc and Pride, help normalise accessibility and allow disabled students to ask for advice and support one another. Having disabled friends means we can share notes and experiences, and advocate for each other. Most societies are also happy to check-in with you to make their events accessible to your needs.

For me, trying different societies related to my interests and finding neurodivergent communities there, has given me safe spaces to bond with like-minded people over shared activities. Meeting other disabled students, making close friends, being the D&O officer of Warwick Pantomime Society and attending accessibility workshops have helped me feel I belonged in a wider community at Warwick and increased my confidence, and it is so meaningful to contribute to improving accessibility for the future.

Those gentle pushes to find your people and your spaces, knowing you deserve to be fully valued and supported, can really enable you to thrive at university.

In summary, it is important to prioritise our health as disabled students at university. As well as finding your spaces and reaching out for support, remember to check in with yourself. Be aware of your limits and take time to rest and recover, as being disabled can be exhausting! We are an important community at university and our needs matter. While accessibility may never be 100% perfect, you are not alone, and our feedback continues to shape accessibility at Warwick. Take care, and take time to nurture your body and mind today.

Special thanks to Hannah Marshall and Chloe for contributing their insight and advice!