Reasonable adjustments enable you to participate in the academic assessment process on a fair basis, and according to your preferences. Find out how to arrange reasonable adjustments that work for you.

Reasonable adjustments allow you to fully participate in learning, assessment, university facilities and services. When it comes to assessments, for example, a reasonable adjustment could be making a video presentation instead of presenting in person, or having extra time in an exam, or showing your work to the tutor in private, rather than in front of a group.

Under the UK Equality Act 2010, reasonable adjustments are required where disabled students experience substantial disadvantage in comparison with non-disabled people.  Universities have an anticipatory duty to provide reasonable adjustments for students. This means at City, University of London, we would need to plan ahead with you and address any barriers that may potentially affect your studies and well-being.

Some universities and some courses have risen to this challenge by putting in place systems that are on offer to all students, whether registered disabled or not. Examples are audio-recording every single lecture, or providing not just one route of assessment but several different ones for a particular assignment. However, currently this is the exception rather than the norm, and the more established route is to offer individual reasonable adjustments for specific requirements.

To be eligible for individual reasonable adjustments you need to have had an autism diagnosis and have told your university about your autism.  At City, University of London, once you have contacted us and completed our eReferral form, a member of the Student Health and Wellbeing team may then meet with you and discuss your needs.

It is important that you are actively involved in this process, and also in making decisions regarding reasonable adjustments that work for you.

• It is important to think about your support needs in collaboration with your academic department.
• Deciding on your reasonable adjustments is not automatic and can take some negotiation with various staff members at the University. Have a think about your individual support needs and what works for you.
• Focus on learning outcomes rather than assessment procedures – what are alternative ways for you to evidence your knowledge and understanding?
• Remember that the Student Health and Wellbeing Team are always there to support you, but we won’t know the academic requirements of your course.
• Use the Autism&Uni Best Practice Guides as support (see page on UDL)
• Reply promptly to all communications regarding your support and reasonable adjustments, to ensure support is put in place when it’s needed.

The Equality Challenge Unit has published guidance on reasonable adjustments to assist universities in planning and implementing them: http://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/managing-reasonable-adjustments-in-higher-education/

Student Health and Wellbeing