Disability Support
London School of Theology aims to promote and provide an inclusive learning environment that responds to the needs of all its students in accordance with the EqualityAct 2010.
Disability support is available to students with all types of disabilities. The Disability, Inclusion and Learning Support Manager (DILS) provides support for students who may already have any diagnosis or are being investigated for any condition. These include automatic extensions for essays, authorised absences and alternative assessments (where possible).
For students with undiagnosed Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs), we do a free pre- screening first and then make a referral for a full diagnostic assessment. The full assessment is partially subsidised by LST. The report can be used to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which the DILS offers support and advice for.
An applicant will be considered to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they have been diagnosed with developmental, physical, mental or neurological impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to carry out daily tasks or activities, such as the following:
- A Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD.
- A mental health condition such as depression or anxiety disorder.
- A social/communication impairment such as autism spectrum disorder or Asperger’s Syndrome.
- A physical impairment or mobility issues.
- A long-standing illness or medical condition such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease or epilepsy.
- Deaf or serious hearing impairment
Blind or serious visual impairment not corrected by glasses.
Evidence for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
We would normally ask for a doctor’s report or letter, recent or past, for physical impairments and other medical conditions if already available. If you have a learning difference, by law, diagnosis should be undertaken by either a Practitioner (Educational) Psychologist specialised in Specific Learning Difficulties or a Specialist Teacher/Assessor with an AMBDA level or SASC approved qualification. The report would typically include a diagnosis and a set of recommendations that would help us to provide the right adjustments for you.
You will be able to apply for DSA through your Student Finance account. Student Finance will require evidence of your disability when you apply. This could be in the form of a doctor’s report, letter or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) assessment reports. The Disability Manager supports students with their DSA applications at every stage.
Overview of disability support at LST
Application
LST welcomes applications from applicants with disabilities in line with the Equality Act 2010 and where resources permit, makes reasonable adjustments.
During the application process, applicants who disclose a disability are required to complete a disability questionnaire. The Disability Adviser receives notification of all questionnaires and provides appropriate support for the applicants.
Meeting with applicants
As part of the application process, the Disability Adviser will also arrange face-to-face meetings to coincide with the interview process. However, if that is not possible, then the meeting can take place over Zoom. These meetings provide an opportunity for the applicant to meet the Disability Adviser to talk about their disability and any impact thereof on their studies.
The Disability Adviser also provides the applicant with information regarding disability support at LST and where necessary, refers the applicant to the Pastoral Team who in turn provide support throughout the application stage and when the applicant enrols as a student.
In the case of severe physical impairment needing certain specific physical accommodations, the Disability Adviser and LST’s facilities department will both meet with the applicant to perform a thorough assessment of the premises in respect of the required accommodations and determine whether the site is suitable for the applicant. If found unsuitable, we will liaise with the Admissions team to propose an alternative study mode.
Confidentiality
At all times during the process, an applicant’s disability information is kept confidential in accordance with the Data Protection Act; a summary is only shared securely and confidentially with the relevant officers at the London School of Theology on a need-to-know basis, for the provision of support.
By completing the disability questionnaire, you consent to your data being shared in this way. Data about your disability is also shared with LST’s regulatory bodies in fulfilment of its regulatory obligations which every student consents to upon enrolment.
Exam Access Arrangements
Exam Adjustments are specifically designed and are available to students with both long-term and short-term conditions to support them in timed, written assessments such as online and in-person exams. They include adjustments such as extra time, rest breaks, the possibility to use specialist equipment or a more comfortable chair.
All students with disclosed disabilities are eligible for exam access arrangements and do not have to apply for them.
Support is available
Exam Adjustments can take a wide range of forms depending on your specific condition and the type of assessment. The following examples are provided to help you understand the types of support that might be possible, however please note that this list is not definitive, and some adjustments are subject to eligibility or programme-specific criteria.
| Type of exam | Type of adjustment |
|---|---|
|
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If you need to amend your Reasonable Adjustment
If you already have Reasonable Adjustments which includes extra time and/ or rest breaks, your individual requirements will be passed to Registry automatically; you do not need to do anything. However, if you need to amend your existing allowances, please contact inclusion@lst.ac.uk. If something has changed (for example, a new diagnosis), you may be asked to provide some medical evidence to support your request.
Learning Support
We offer learning support to any student who is struggling with their coursework and assessment submissions or resubmissions. Such support includes time management, structuring of essays and referencing. Learning Support Assistants are also able to signpost students for more support and help in areas that transcend their academic work.
We have two Learning Support Assistants, Salifu Faal (salifu.faal@lst.ac.uk) and Joyce Chee (joyce.chee@lst.ac.uk) who work on different days of the week and are available either in-person or online. During term time, students can choose to see them either in-person or online; however, outside term time, sessions take place exclusively online.
For more information or if you have any questions, email the learning support team at: inclusion@lst.ac.uk.
Access Arrangements at LST
- Access to lecture recordings in line with LST’s lecture capture policy.
- Extended library loans.
- Exams access arrangements including additional time, use of separate rooms, use of word processor and supervised breaks.
- 1:1 Learning specialist study support and specialist mentoring for students with learning differences through DSA.
- Specialist Mental Health support and mentoring through DSA-funded mental health specialists. The Pastoral Team, led by the Chaplain who is also the Mental Health Champion, is always on hand to support students as well.
- Study skills support: At LST, we offer Study Skills for all students across all levels of study and encourage all students to attend. Extra study support is available through the Learning Support Assistant, module tutors and a specialist study support tutor linked to LST.