If you disclosed a disability on your health declaration then we strongly recommend that you get a learning contract, to help you whilst you are at Sheffield Hallam University.
What is a learning contract?
A learning contract is a document that lists reasonable adjustments so that you are not disadvantaged by your condition or disability. The contract is relevant to Sheffield Hallam University only and is not a legal document.
Who can get a learning contract?
Students can sometimes be put off by the word ‘disability’ so they might not realise that they are eligible for a learning contract. If you have any of the following conditions then you are eligible for support;
- Autism spectrum conditions
- Deafness and hearing impairment
- Long-term medical conditions
- Mental health difficulties
- Physical disabilities
- Specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia or dyspraxia)
- Visual impairment
What might be in a learning contract?
Within your learning contract it can include recommendations to help with you exams (such as extra time in exams, being in your own room), with your university studies (such as giving you extensions on your coursework) and also with your placement (such as encouraging you to disclose your disability on placement). There are a range of different recommendations that can be included in your learning contract, it all depends on your support needs and what you feel would be beneficial to you.
How do I get a learning contract?
There are a few steps you need to take in order to set up your learning contract. The Disabled Student Support team and Sheffield Hallam University is responsible for setting up the learning contracts. The main steps are registering online with our Disabled Student Support team and providing them with suitable medical evidence for your disability. These are the first main steps in accessing support, then, you apply for the Disability funded support (called Disabled Student Allowance). Further information about how to carry out these steps can be found on the Disabled Student Support website below;
https://www.shu.ac.uk/current-students/student-support/disability-support
I’ve already registered online with Disabled Student Support, what medical evidence do I need to provide?
In order to get support put into place, you will need to provide suitable evidence of your condition. If you don’t yet have any evidence then you can take the attached form to your GP. If you have a Specific Learning Disability such as Dyslexia then you will need to get diagnostic assessment report from a suitably qualified professional.
What is Disabled Student Allowance?
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) is a type of funded support available to students with a disability. DSA is funding provided by the government and it is paid on top of your other student finance. DSA help you pay the extra costs you may have due to your disability and it doesn’t have to be repaid.
DSA can provide funding for any specialist equipment (i.e. a computer/ a printer), travel costs, one-to-one support and any other support you may require due to your disability. You can find further information about how to apply below;
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview
One last thing . .
The majority of students who have a learning contract set up find it really useful whilst they are here at Sheffield Hallam University and there is more support available than people realise. Once you have set up your learning contract then it will stay in place whilst you are a student here (unless you decide to make any changes or you decide you don’t need the support). So, it is entirely your choice whether you do set up support and you can set up a learning contract at any point during your university studies.
Got any questions about learning contracts? Contact our Disabled Student Support Team on;
Telephone 0114 225 3964
(Mon-Fri 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm, voicemail at other times)
Email disability-support@shu.ac.uk