How the University of Chester Supports Neurodiverse and Disabled Students
At the University of Chester, we strive to meet all our students' needs, as Marlena found when she came to study with us.
Are you thinking about university but worried about whether you’ll get the support you need? That was me a few years ago. As a neurodiverse, disabled and international student, I had so many concerns; however, the University of Chester has truly exceeded my expectations. Here’s why it might be the perfect choice for you, too.
Starting university is a big decision for anyone. Still, when you face everyday challenges on top of trying to keep up with studying and coping with life, this raises an important question, can I actually manage? It took me quite a few years to build up the courage to go to university, and I'm so glad I did. I remember attending an Open Day and falling in love with the place; everyone was so friendly. They quickly remembered my name, making me feel like I wasn’t just a number but a person.
Even before I started my BA Graphic Design and Photography degree, I had a call from the Disability and Inclusion team, who offered me specialist learning support help. They explained what they could do to make my studies easier and provided me with a laptop, printer, camera, headphones, and various software to record seminars and take notes. This assistive technology, like text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, has been invaluable throughout my year. I found myself using it all the time and wondering how I had managed my life before. The team has been very helpful whenever I had issues, and helped me set everything up before the year even started. I couldn’t ask for more.
Lifts at the University are everywhere, so I have easy access to all floors. There are adequate disabled parking spaces too. Even though my disability is hidden, I don’t want to be treated as a disabled person. For me, being seen as equal to other students is important. I can attend school trips and networking events, and I can also apply for university work to boost my self-esteem and build my work experience before I even start looking for a job; this will look great on my CV.
My University lecturers are very understanding and go out of their way to support me as much as they can. Some of my lecturers face similar challenges as they are neurodiverse too, so they can understand and relate to the difficulties I experience. I also love the fact that my lecturers work part-time in the industries they teach, so students gain first-hand experience of what employers expect, rather than just dry theory. When I mention my passions, they always find ways to ensure I can showcase them through my work. They even adjust the briefs to help me truly enjoy projects, giving me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and expand my horizons.
I must admit, being at the University of Chester is making my studies a positive experience, as everyone here fully supports students like me. I can’t imagine a better university to help me gain knowledge, get my degree, and open up so many opportunities that I can add to my CV and portfolio, which I’m building up to secure my dream job.