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1. Overall Policy and Approach
The Business School aims to provide a welcoming and friendly environment, which is supportive to both programme members and staff with disabilities. This is part of a wider commitment to equal opportunities.
2. Admission to Qualification Programmes
Applications from people with disabilities will be considered against the same criteria as those from people without a disability applying for the same programme. Full consideration of the specific support facilities required will take place and the Business School will make every effort to effect reasonable adjustments in order to enable applicants to join the programme of their choice.
Staff have been given guidelines to assist them in responding to applications from people who have a disability, and in giving advice to applicants with specific needs arising out of a disability. We therefore urge all applicants with special needs to identify their individual requirements as early as possible in the application process by ticking the relevant section of the application form, or by contacting the relevant member of staff (see list of contacts in Appendix 1).
3. Facilities at Greenlands
Some of the Business School buildings are old and were not designed for disabled access (in particular the original main building, which is a Grade II listed building). Nevertheless, given prior notice delegates/programme members with disabilities can normally be accommodated.
Some examples of measures that can help are given in Section 3.5, under headings of particular disabilities. If a particular disability is not listed, it does not mean that assistance is not available: it is always worth contacting one of the designated staff with responsibility for disabilities.
General aids and facilities available include:
| 3.1 Dietary Needs
The Catering Department makes every effort to accommodate all dietary needs. Advance notice of any such requirements (as with other needs) is helpful. |
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| 3.2 Healthcare
The Business School does not have medical care facilities on site, but has an arrangement with a local GP practice in Henley to deal with medical problems should they arise. |
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| 3.3 Library Services
The entrance to the Library is on the ground floor of Hambleden House. There is swipecard access in place to regulate admission. Entry into the Library is via large double doors allowing wheelchair access and Library staff are available to assist if required. It is advisable, therefore, to give advanced warning of visits if possible.
A disabled lift allows those with mobility difficulties access to materials on the lower level of the Library and a member of the Library staff will be available to give information or assistance during visits. Staff will be happy to collect books or journals for programme members if it is difficult for them to access the shelves themselves.
The Library also has a photocopier with an enlarging function that may be useful for programme members with visual impairments.
Programme members are encouraged to discuss any special needs requirements with the Library staff who are available to assist with enquiries during the following hours:
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| Monday - Friday | 08.30 to 21.30 |
| Saturday | 09.00 to 19.00 |
| Sunday | 10.00 to 18.00 |
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| 3.4 Computer Services
The Business School computer department (IT Services - ITS) is keen to help. The following list of examples is by no means exhaustive, and, given advanced warning, the Department will try to accommodate particular needs:
- Computers in syndicate rooms can be set up with special screen, keyboard, mouse and software configuration, etc.
- Computer-based sessions can be scheduled in the ground floor IT suite (Babbage).
- ICT can help with installing and configuring Microsoft Accessibility options on both Business School and personal computers.
The first point of contact for support for general ITS needs is the Helpdesk on extension 2180 (helpdesk@henley.com).
ITS documentation, whether on paper or online, can be printed in a large font size or, with advance notice, the Business School would make every effort to arrange for documents to be made available on audio tape or translated to Braille. |
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| 3.5 Specific Disability Provisions
The Disability Officer (Site & Facilities) will, if requested, meet and greet any delegate with a disability and discuss the particular help that he or she might need.
First Aiders have received awareness training in the implications of disability in relation to incidents requiring first aid.
| 3.5.1 Visual Disability
Some of the Business School’s bedrooms are specially equipped with emergency signs with raised photo-luminescent lettering and Braille. Fire call points have been fitted above the bedheads.
Swipe card readers have a tone to confirm successful operation. Swipe cards can be modified for Braille users.
Delegates with guide dogs are welcome. Staff are available to assist with route planning around the Business School if required. |
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| 3.5.2 Mobility Difficulties/Wheelchair Access
Unfortunately there are no lifts in any of the Business School buildings but, with advance notice, lectures and syndicate sessions can be scheduled in ground-floor rooms.
Most public rooms are accessible in a wheelchair, although at present some powered wheelchairs are too large to gain access to some areas.
Disabled toilets are provided in all public areas of the Business School. |
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| 3.5.3 Hearing Difficulties
Visual and physical fire alarm equipment is available on request in the form of flashing beacons and a vibrating pillow.
The Jarrett Conference Room is equipped with a Hearing Loop System. |
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| 3.5.4 Website
Web Teams in the Business School are aware of the need to build accessible websites. All new web environments are being designed with physical and cognitive impairments in mind. The Business School aims eventually to build websites that comply to the international W3C Guideline 1.0 (Priority 1 and 2) standards. |
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4. Assessment Provisions
Programme members who are disabled, who suffer from a particular medical condition or who have learning difficulties may need special arrangements, facilities or equipment to enable them to undertake a part of the assessment scheme of a qualification programme.
Programme members who believe that they may require special arrangements should contact the Manager Assessment Services to discuss their needs. Requests for special arrangements should be submitted as soon as possible after initial registration or after the condition arises and should be supported by current written evidence from a recognised medical practitioner.
Special arrangements which could be offered by the Business School to programme members taking written examinations include:
- provision of a scribe
- provision of a word processor
- additional time
- private rooms.
Fuller information on assessment arrangements should be obtained from the Manager Assessment Services.
5. Complaints and Appeals
The University's Student Complaints Procedure (http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/studentcomplaints.pdf) covers all issues relating to student complaints, including those relating to disability issues. If a programme member feels that he or she has not been given adequate assistance in dealing with the effect of a disability upon completion of assessed work, he or she may wish to proceed as stated in this Procedure.
Appendix 1
Contact Details
The following Business School staff have particular responsibility for disability issues:
Overall Disabilities Co-Coordinator
(with responsibility for admissions to qualifications programmes) | Stephen Lee
Academic Registrar
x 2331 |
Disability Officer
(Site & Facilities) | Caroline Bowers
Estate Manager
x 2163 |
Disability Officer
(Assessment) | Trudy Shore
Manager, Assessment Services
x 2159 |
Disability Officer
(Information Services) | Jane Goldsmith
Information Services Manager
x 2087 |
Enquiries from prospective programme members about any matters relating to disabilities should be directed to Caroline Bowers in the first instance.
Enquiries from registered programme members on site should be directed in the first instance to the appropriate course Administrator or Programme Manager, who will decide what action to take.
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