Adapted accommodation

We have mobility and wheelchair adapted rooms in Gowar, George Eliot, Runnymede and Williamson. Rooms have been adapted for wheelchair users or students with mobility needs.

If you require a mobility or wheelchair adapted room, we encourage you to register with the Disability and Neurodiversity team as early as possible. An assessment of your needs can then be undertaken, and a suitable room identified for you.

Bedroom

All bedrooms have lowered mirrors, lowered switches and sockets and an emergency alarm cord.

Additional adaptations vary across the Halls, but include a mechanically operated bedroom door, electrically operated windows, free-standing furniture, lowered hanging rail/storage, low hooks and an adjustable desk.

Bathroom

All bathrooms have wet room showers and toilet handle rails. An emergency alarm cord is present in the bathroom.

Additional adaptations vary across the Halls, but include closomat toilets, shower hand rails, shower seats and fire alarm beacons.

Kitchen

All kitchens have lowered sinks, worksurfaces, switches and sockets.

Additional adaptations vary across the Halls, but include mechanically operated kitchen doors, door closers linked to fire alarm, side opening oven door, lowered hob, lowered window handles and electrically operated windows.

We have hearing adapted rooms in Founders, Gowar, George Eliot, Runnymede, Reid, Tuke and Wedderburn. Rooms have been adapted for deaf or hard of hearing students.

These rooms are fitted with mains powered vibrating pillows and fire alarm beacons in the room, shower and self-catering kitchen areas to enable residents to evacuate safely. 

Students using hearing dogs are welcomed and would be prioritised for accommodation in one of the ground floor hearing adapted rooms to facilitate easy entry for the welfare of their dog.

We also have mobile equipment that can be transported to any room.

Currently the university has not earmarked specific rooms for persons with a visual impairment.  Students with a visual impairment are encouraged to register with Disability and Neurodiversity as early as possible so that we can discuss with them what adjustments they may need to the accommodation and the locations that would best meet their needs. 

If the visual impairment is accompanied with noise sensitivity to fire alarms this must be indicated at the time of application so that priority access to a hearing adapted room can be made.

Some of the alterations that have been made previously include:

·       Provision of additional shelving

·       Increased lighting levels

·       Decreased lighting levels

·       Specific colour of light

·       Shading of light sources

·       Compass orientation to maximise or reduce natural daylight

·       Early arrival for onsite orientation

·       Facilitate access to cleaning support

Students using guide dogs are welcomed and would be prioritised for accommodation in one of the ground floor rooms to facilitate easy arrangements for the welfare of their dog.

Carers

The university welcomes personal care assistants and rooms will be allocated for them in the vicinity of the student they are supporting.  If you have a condition that requires daily or 24-hour personal care, we can provide a room for your personal carer under the same terms and conditions as other residents (subject to availability).

Personal carers are subject to the terms and conditions of the halls licence agreement. Any incurred damage costs and/or actions resulting from breaches of this licence agreement will apply directly to the personal carer. 

Personal carers are only permitted to live on campus as long as they are providing support to you while you are living on campus. The University requests that personal assistants establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries with university staff and students. You should contact the university’s Disability and Neurodiversity team to understand and to explore the adjustments that can be made.

Responsibility for funding the carer’s room can involve both the local authority and the university, depending on the circumstances and support framework in place. You should ensure there is clear and early communication between you, your local authority, and the university to clarify responsibilities and avoid delays.

If you are eligible for Universal Credit as a student, your award can include a housing element towards the cost of rent. This is also extended to the cost of a non-resident carer’s room.

Assistance Animals

Assistance dogs including guide dogs, hearing dogs and emotional support dogs may be permitted to reside in Halls and are subject to legal exemptions under UK law.  Assistance dogs will require to be licensed / registered with an internationally recognised assistance animal provider. If a student requires such an arrangement, they should contact the Disability and Neurodiversity team to ensure reasonable adjustments can be made. Please see the Animals on Campus Policy for further information.

Many of our students have a variety of hidden disabilities or medical needs.  Often these can be supported by minor alterations to, or selection of specific rooms.  If you should feel that you may need this type of support please register with Disability and Neurodiversity and discuss what you might need.

•                     medication fridge

•                     catered hall option where room requirements dictated self-catered accommodation

•                     Increased lighting levels

•                     Decreased lighting levels

•                     Specific colour of light

•                     Shading of light sources

•                     Compass orientation to maximise or reduce natural daylight

•                     Early arrival for onsite orientation

•                     Hoist

•                     Parking

•                     Post collection

The majority of our adapted and accessible accommodation is located in self-catered Halls. If you have difficulty with cooking or preparing meals, please notify us as part of your registration with Disability and Neurodiversity team to ensure reasonable adjustments can be made. Our reasonable adjustments may include provide you with a catered meal package.