Durham Colleges and disability

[BettinaButtercup]

Durham College allocations - DC has been offered a college which does not meet their needs due to a disability. We know we can speak to Disability Services and they can get involved, but I’m concerned about a line on the Durham website which says “the University will not consider reallocations based on a desire for proximity to other Durham locations that are not part of the University”.

I presume the key word here is “desire” rather than medical need? Does anyone know?

I’d say that referred to, say, wanting to be in a Bailey college because you wanted a quick and easy walk to the Cathedral, or a Hill college so you could get to the Botanic Gardens in a couple of minutes, rather than a medical need. I would definitely get in touch with Disability Services, I’ve heard they are very helpful.

Definitely get in touch with disability services- that's just talking about personal preference rather than need

Do also apply for DSA which might be able to cover taxi costs.

Have you spoken to disability services yet? I have found at other universities they can't bend over backwards enough to sort this kind of thing out for you.

When emailing disability department asking about taking account DC disability into account when allocating college, their reply was they would not. One of several reasons DC turned Durham down.

@Wronginformation that's awful I'm so sorry to hear it. My experience has been that the university (not Durham) is even prepared to move entire seminar groups to ground floor rooms if need be due to certain physical requirements.

@BettinaButtercup this happened to my DS last year and disability services there were lovely and called me a number of times to try and get him a suitable room for his needs. 😊The only thing to consider is they won’t be able to tell you which college it is until they’ve found a suitable alternative so you risk going to a college that may not be a preference. My DS decided to stick with his original allocation in the end and he has been absolutely fine and is loving it 😅

Durham student here 🙋‍♀️ I know some people who have been moved for disability and our disability services have always been excellent for me. It is worth noting at this stage college allocation is provisional - the majority of people will be allocated to a different college come September but this works in your favour!

Thank you all!

Her current uni had no issues allocating DC accommodation taking into account the issues. And said so straight away in the reply email

Did you declare the disability/medical need? You should have had an email directing you to the disability declaration form.

You now need to contact the disability service as the next step

When I was there decades ago a girl on my course was in a wheelchair and in Hatfield- literally opposite the history dept. She was definitely the Hatfield type but it could have been due to location?! You’d think tricky with all the cobbles but she coped admirably.

Thank you - yes DC filled in the disability form back in April but we’ve not heard from them yet. We’ll have to give them a call, thank you.

Our DC has also received their Durham college allocation today and is hoping to switch - they have already contacted admissions. They are a very talented musician and singer and have been allocated a college with no music provision - which would be a big drawback for them.

Just in case anyone searches and comes across this in future - DC has spoken with Disability Services and they have not yet processed their form, they’ve had over 800 this year. Once they do, they will pick up that the college isn’t suitable and will work with accommodation to get it switched.

Update. No support for moving college unless on disability grounds. Son has decided to firm Bristol instead: stronger course and better music provision.

@Imogen710 He'll have a fantastic time at Bristol. And I know their disability services are really strong. The people in the office will actively seek out potential issues and try to fix them, before they're requested (in my experience). So your son should be all set.