The ADRC Advisory Teams
The Team of Neurodiversity Advisers and Disability Advisers at the ADRC work with incoming students who have disclosed a disability on their application to identify any access requirements related to their learning and teaching. Preparation and recommendations for these access requirements begin in the months prior to an individual’s arrival at University and are shared with academic and support staff via a Student Support Document (SSD), which is held securely on the student’s central record.
The Neurodiversity Advisers and Disability Advisers also provide on-going guidance, resources and advice to students and staff working with disabled students after admission, as well as with students who become disabled, or who are diagnosed, or who disclose, after admission. Advisers also provide advice to prospective disabled students.
Each team is managed by a Senior Adviser. The Neurodiversity Advisers and Disability Advisers work within the following teams:
1. The Neurodiversity Team
The Neurodiversity Team provides advice and guidance for students with Specific Learning Difficulties (including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia) and students with Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD). The Neurodiversity Team also includes an Autism Adviser who provides advice and guidance to members of the University staff working with students with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). In addition, the Autism Adviser offers an evaluation of needs service for students who identify with ASC, but are yet to receive a formal assessment for ASC or any other diagnosis, in order to identify students’ educational access requirements.
2. The Disability Team
The Disability Advisory team provides advice and guidance for students with Autism Spectrum Conditions, mental health conditions, physical and sensory impairments (including visual impairments and hearing impairments/deaf/Deaf), mobility issues and long-standing health conditions. The Disability Advisory Team includes a Mental Health Lead who, in collaboration with the Head of Centre, contributes to the University’s strategic review of student mental health provision, and provides advice and guidance to members of the University staff working with students experiencing mental health conditions.