Accessibility statement
Access for All. Removing Barriers for Disabled Students
A welcome from the Principal to Disabled Students
Sussex Downs College is committed to taking positive action to remove barriers to success for all students, particularly those who are disabled.
We are happy to embrace the provisions of the new Disability Equality Duty (2005) which echoes our own College mission to promote equal opportunities and diversity.
In particular, we recognize our responsibility to:
• promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people
• eliminate unlawful discrimination
• eliminate disability related harassment
• promote positive attitudes to disabled people
• encourage participation by disabled people in public life
• take account of disabled people's disabilities, even where that involves treating disabled people more favorably than others.
Whether you are considering joining this college, or have already enrolled, I would urge you to tell us if you are disabled and have access needs, so that we can support you effectively and ensure that we are meeting our responsibilities to you.
Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do to make your life in college easier. We will always listen and do whatever we reasonably can to meet your needs.
Sincerely
Dr John Blake
Principal and Chief Executive
Sussex Downs College
• welcomes disabled students
• has helped many disabled students to complete their courses successfully
• offers a wide range of full and part-time courses in academic and vocational sub-jects
• offers information, advice and guidance to find the right course
• runs special programmes for students with severe impairments or learning difficul-ties
• has modern campuses with easy access to most rooms and buildings
• will provide reasonable adjustments for disabled students
• has a wide range of support facilities for disabled students
• has specialist teachers, tutors and learning support staff
• can provide additional support in class and during examinations
• can provide special materials and equipment
• may be able to provide offsite support for students.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 we are required to:
• actively involve disabled students
• meet the six requirements of the Disability Equality Duty as set out in the Principal's letter opposite
• actively promote Disability Equality.
How to contact us:
We find that most people prefer to communicate with a named person who can explain what is available so this Disability Statement will tell you who to contact to take the next step into College.
You can write, email or text us.
You can email anyone at Sussex Downs if you know their name by using the standard format
firstname.surname@sussexdowns.ac.uk. For example, Maxine Winter is the Manager of Learning Support.
Eastbourne
EVoC and Adult College Minicom Text: 01323 637216
Learning Support Team Leader Judy Millard
and Disability Adviser 01323 637287
Learning Support Administrator Jackie Breach
01323 637258
Course Information and Student Services Oonagh Caunter
01323 637481
Courses for Adult Students with David Grimley
Learning Difficulties and Disabilities 01323 637224
General Foundation Courses Derek Hopkins
01323 637223
Sussex Careers Special Needs Manager Barbara Davey
01323 745503
EASTBOURNE
Park College Minicom Text: 01323 637216
Learning Support Team Leader Chris Savory
and Disability Adviser 01323 637658
Course Information and Student Services Suz-anne Moule 01323 637683
Park College Reception 01323 637111
Lewes
Lewes 6th Form and Adult College Minicom Text: 01273 402478
Learning Support Team Leader Fiona Lawrence
and Disability Adviser 01273 402478
Learning Support Administrator Claire Wells
01273 402412
Course Information and Student Services Gillian Sim
01273 402205
6th Form Entry and Foundation Courses Leraine Stables
01273 483670
Courses for Adult Students with Louise Payne
Learning Difficulties and Disabilities 01273 402232
Sussex Careers Special Needs Manager Phil Farmer
01273 402258
Cross College Team
The members of our team shown below work across the whole college:
Newhaven or Hailsham or other Outreach Centres
For information about support for work-based learners,
outreach centres, HE or franchised provision,
please contact the Outreach Support Coordinator, Kate Lambert
Email: kate.lambert@sussexdowns.ac.uk
Phone 01273 402382 or 01323 637106
Minicom Text: 01323 637106 (Eastbourne) or 01273 402382 (Lewes)
For Hearing Impairment or Communication Support queries,
please first contact the Communication Support Coordinator Linda Staines
Email: linda.staines@sussexdowns.ac.uk
Phone: 01323 63738
Minicom Text: 01323 637216 (Eastbourne) or 01273 402478 (Lewes)
If you would rather write, the addresses are as follows:
Eastbourne Campus Park College
Cross Levels Way King's Drive
Eastbourne Eastbound
BN21 2UF BN21 3UN
Lewes Campus Newhaven Campus
Mountfield Road Denton Island Training and Business Centre
Lewes Newhaven
BN7 2XH BN9 9BN
More Information can be found…
In our Course Guides and Prospectuses
From Student Services
You can also request copies of other documents, for example:
Learning Support leaflet
Equality and Diversity Policy
Student Charter and Code of Conduct
Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan
Admissions Procedure
If you are disabled, please tell us about your access needs or learning difficulty as soon as possible. It will help us to help you better if you contact the College before you apply, par-ticularly if you need any individual arrangements for interview.
In response to your application we will assess your access to learning needs and make every effort to provide the support or specialist equipment you need. We can also arrange for you to come for an accessibility visit.
If we are unable to provide the support you need, for example, if a specialist service or re-source cannot be made available, we will let you know in writing, giving the reasons.
Staff Expertise
The College prides itself on the level and diversity of qualifications of its staff, who are ex-perienced in supporting students with a broad spectrum of impairments and learning difficulties, including students who have hearing impairments, visual impairments, dyslexia, or other specific learning difficulties.
Examinations and Assessments
If you are disabled, you should not be disadvantaged in exams or assessments. Awarding bodies have clear guidelines about the level and type of support that can be given in par-ticular circumstances. Appropriate arrangements will be made for students who have been assessed as needing support.
Range of Support Available
Access to support is based on an assessment of your learning needs.
Here are some examples of support we may provide:
• Support for students who have difficulty with literacy and/or numeracy
• Support for students who have dyslexia and/or dyspraxia
• Extra tutorials with specialist staff
• Learner Assistants to help on course
• Support for students who have a hearing or visual impairment
• Interpreters, communication support workers, note takers, or
other specialists
• Alphasmarts, laptops or Dictaphones
• Materials in accessible formats, enlarged text or software
• Physical assistance or other aids to access learning
• Special assessments and exam arrangements
• Specialist courses for students with learning difficulties
Buildings and Accommodation
The Colleges main campuses are at Eastbourne and Lewes. Denton Island Training and Business Centre is in Newhaven and there is a small learning centre in Hailsham. The Col-lege also uses many schools and community venues and provides education and training through franchise partners.
Please contact us to discuss where you would like to study, so that we can advise you of its facilities and, if appropriate, arrange an accessibility visit with you.
The Eastbourne and Lewes buildings are almost all purpose-built modern buildings with good accessibility and facilities. They have been audited to make sure they comply with the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4 and there is an on-going programme of improve-ments to make them even better.
Denton Island Training and Business Centre is a new building and allows full access for users with restricted mobility or wheelchairs.
At present, there is limited access to the upper floors of Park College, Eastbourne.
Participation and Consultation
The College is required by law to consult with students and to involve them in decisions which affect them.
Some of our students may be disabled and have particular access needs (they may have learning difficulties, sensory or physical impairments or mental health issues and need, for example, particular equipment, communication support, or materials in a format accessible for them).
We are pleased to be told about the access needs our disabled students have, and if they are happy to discuss them with the relevant staff it helps us to do what we can to meet their specific needs and to understand how we might improve our services to all students, particularly those who are disabled.
We also encourage all students to speak to their tutors, learning support teachers and course teachers about any problems or suggestions they might have about our service - and to become involved in various college activities to increase student participation.
Complaints and Appeals
The College is committed to providing the highest possible level of service to all its stu-dents. Despite our best efforts, things can sometimes go wrong. If you are dissatisfied, please talk first to your College contact or the Learning Support Manager, Maxine Winter and try to reach an informal resolution. If you wish to take your complaint further, please contact David Williamson, the Head of Standards and Development.
Alternative Formats
This document if also available in large print, from reception at any
of our main campuses, and in audio, via CD or the website www.sussexdowns.ac.uk. A Braille version can be provided if requested.
Photos on the front are of past students of what is now Sussex Downs College. They include Zoe Cain, a young disabled swimmer on the Sports Development course who won two silver medals and one bronze at the Disability National Senior Swimming Champion-ship while she was here, and Sarah Gordy, who studied Performing Arts as one of her subjects on the ALDD course. She is currently touring in Walking on Water, with the Theatre Centre – her photograph is by Robert Day.
Access for All
