Hey y’all! I have realised over the past year that there is a LOT of assumed knowledge that goes into being a student (especially if you are an academic rep!), so this is the start of a series where I am describing key terms that not everybody may be up to speed with. Seeing as they are super close to my heart, let start with DAPs (Disability Access Plans).
DAPs are basically just an outline of reasonable adjustments made individually for you in conjunction with the disability service.
What is the process of getting a DAP?
To get a DAP, you disclose your disability to the University – you typically can do this via UCAS or by contacting the disability team. A University Disability Advisor will then set up an appointment with you.
As someone who went through this themselves, let me assure you, it is totally chill. No-one is gonna harass you for documents or ‘evidence’, instead they are there to listen to you about your disability to understand how it affects your studies. They could ask, for example, if you have any previous reasonable adjustments at school, or if there is anything you wish you knew your lecturer knew. I, for example, had a part that explained I may need to leave early due to migraines setting on.
You can review your DAP at any time, and they often encourage you to do it every year, as you learn a lot about yourself and your learning at University. You know best what works and doesn’t work as you’re the student.
What’s in a DAP?
DAPs are written in plain language so that anyone can understand them, even if they have no prior knowledge of certain disabilities or reasonable adjustment practices.
It is split into six sections:
Disability information & implications for study
This section will often name your disability or condition and give a brief of symptoms and how this may affect your studies – such as fluctuating attendance, difficulty with concentration, distress with change etc.
Reasonable adjustments
This includes what reasonable adjustments are recommended for the student, and can include inclusive practice (such as teaching materials like presentations in advance, lecture recordings, and ability to self record), action plans, flexibility for deadlines such as deadline extensions.
These are dependent upon how your disability affects you rather than just its specific title, and can cover a whole host of things ! Most DAPs ask for the three recommendations of inclusive practice, but I’ve heard really niche ones like not being able to attend lectures before certain times.
Placement information
This includes any information that might be good for you (and your placement team) to know – such as encouraging you to apply for DSA (Disabled Student’s Allowance)
Further information
Confidential information
Assessment requirements
This includes information on the type of venue needed for exams etc, alongside any other recommendations such as rest breaks.
What should I do if I have a DAP?
If I could recommend anything, it is to, if you feel comfortable with it, email your lecturers ahead of term to tell them you have a DAP. Lecturers have to click on every student individually to check if they have a DAP, so this makes sure you are not left out, and also gives you the ability to discuss any needs with your lecturer if you wish to.
You could send them an email like:
Dear [Lecturer’s Name]
I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to inform you that I have a DAP (Disability Action Plan), which outlines reasonable adjustments to support my learning.
Please let me know if you need any further information or discussion on this. I prefer to be contacted [in person/on Teams/ by email].
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Best regards,
[name]
What do I do if my DAP isn’t followed?
Reasonable adjustments are required by law in the UK under The Equality Act 2010.
If you are not having your recommendations fulfilled, you can first and foremost contact your lecturer. They may have accidentally forgotten to make a lecture recording available for example, or accidentally skipped over you when checking for DAPs and not know you have one. Perhaps it is the eternal optimist in me, but this is what I would always assume first. You could send them an email like the following:
Dear [Lecturer’s Name],
I am writing to you as I have a DAP (Disability Access Plan) recommendation that is currently not being fulfilled. Specifically, [name of reasonable adjustment e.g., lecture recordings].
I understand that this may have just been missed, but if you could please provide me with this as soon as possible so I can fully engage with the course, I would sincerely appreciate it.
Thank you for your support,
[name]
If you still have issues after this, you can contact the Disability Service, or SU Advice and Support who will be able to help you further.