Disability and neuroinclusion

Find out how our team can help students with disability and neurodiversity needs.

Supporting you

Our team provides support to all students at the University of Surrey with a disability as defined by The Equality Act (2010). This includes: 

  • Autistic spectrum conditions
  • Long-term medical conditions
  • Mental health conditions
  • Physical disabilities (see our access guides)
  • Sensory impairments
  • Specific learning differences (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia)

How we can help you

We are able to support you by:

  • Arranging and putting into place reasonable adjustments for any aspect of your time at the University of Surrey, including specific accommodation needs
  • Implementing exam arrangements and adjustments
  • Providing screening for specific learning differences
  • Providing advice on the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
  • Providing one-to-one study skills and mentoring sessions.

Attend one of our drop-ins to speak quickly with an advisor:

  • To find out how the Disability and Neuroinclusion team can assist you
  • To find out about being screened or assessed for a Specific Learning Difference (such as Dyslexia), or ADHD
  • To ask a quick question around applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) or accessing your support
  • To discuss a disability-related need to live in campus accommodation
  • To discuss a disability-related need to access a parking permit
  • To get support with booking an appointment to speak with a Disability Adviser
  • To discuss any other disability-related query

Please note, exam adjustments and other reasonable adjustments cannot be agreed to or implemented at our drop-in.

Drop-ins are 2-4pm on the below days:

DayLocation
MondayStag Hill Hive
TuesdayManor Park Hive
WednesdayManor Park Hive
ThursdayStag Hill Hive
FridayStag Hill Hive

Privacy notice

View the Disability and Neurodiversity Service privacy notice.

How to register for the service

How to apply

To access our services you can contact us using Surrey Support.

Eligibility

In order to register with us you need to provide evidence of your condition.

Type of condition Evidence required
Autistic spectrum conditions A letter from your GP or other relevant qualified specialist confirming your diagnosis and outlining the impact it has upon your day-to-day activities and study. Alternatively, we can accept a Statement of Special Educational Needs issued by a local authority.
Physical, sensory, medical and mental health conditions A letter from your GP or other relevant qualified specialist confirming your diagnosis and outlining the impact it has upon your day-to-day activities and your study. For mental health conditions, or for medical conditions that are subject to change, we may require up-to-date evidence.
Specific learning differences A full diagnostic report or evaluation of need report from either a registered psychologist or a qualified specialist teacher holding a Specific Learning Difference Assessment Practising Certificate.

If you are unsure whether your evidence is suitable, please send it to us and we can advise whether we can accept it or require anything further. We can also provide guidance on obtaining relevant evidence.

Please note that if you have multiple disabilities we will need evidence for each of these to be able to offer support for each. In some cases a single letter from a doctor may address all disabilities. For clarification please speak to a disability adviser.

Specific learning differences

If you think you may have a Specific Learning Difference, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D, but have never received a formal diagnosis, the first step is to book a Disability Adviser Quick Query meeting, so we can discuss how best to help you. You might find we recommend a GP appointment, an optician’s appointment, a screening appointment or a combination of these. In a screening appointment the adviser will explore why you feel you might have a SpLD and may use screening tools or short tasks to help determine if you should be referred for further assessment. Assessments are mostly being conducted remotely at present, but it may be possible to arrange a face-to-face assessment if this is your preference.

Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a non-means tested grant for students studying in higher education who have a disability as defined by the Equality Act (2010). Find out more about eligibility and how to apply for a DSA.

If you are not eligible for DSA, please book a meeting with a Disability Adviser to discuss what support we can offer.

Services you can access

If you have funding approved we can help you organise your assistive technology delivery and training, and to access any recommended specialist one-to-one study skills tuition or mentoring.

Surrey Sunflower initiative

At Surrey we’re committed to cultivating an inclusive community and supporting the needs of people with hidden disabilities and/or invisible illnesses.

Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer (including staff, students and colleagues) that they may need additional support, understanding or a little more time. It aims to increase awareness of the, often invisible, adjustments that people with hidden disabilities may require. Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for people with invisible illnesses to communicate certain adjustments, or to not be questioned or challenged when they do.

Where can I collect a sunflower?

Members of our community with hidden disabilities and/or invisible illnesses who wish to adopt a visual cue will be able to collect a Surrey Sunflower lanyard, pin badge or wallet card from a number of points across campus:

  • Stag Hill reception (at Senate House)
  • Wellbeing Centre reception
  • Library helpdesk
  • MySurrey Hive Stag Hill.
Do I have to wear a sunflower to have my disability recognised?

No. The scheme is entirely optional and is intended to offer support to those who would find it useful to have a visual cue. It also aims to widen understanding and awareness about hidden disabilities and build an inclusive culture of support for those who live with invisible, and therefore often misunderstood, conditions.

What sunflower items are available?

We are offering a number of options for wearing a sunflower including a lanyard, pin badge or discreet wallet card. People with hidden disabilities can choose the most suitable option for them.

How can I access further support related to my disability or health condition?

You can find out more on our dedicated MySurrey pages.

If you need further assistance within the University, please contact Disability and Neuroinclusion Services.

How can I find out more about the scheme?

Contact Jo McCarthy-Holland, EDI Adviser: j.mccarthy-holland@surrey.ac.uk.

Useful links

How to contact the Disability and Neuroinclusion team

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