Chapter 4 - Students with Disabilities

The ifs School of Finance is committed to mapping its provision for disabled students against established good practice. It recognises that such students are an integral part of the academic community and that, irrespective of study mode, there should be no diminution in the quality of the learning opportunities made available to them. Above all, the approach is to respond to students’ advice and concerns and work with them (and their employers where appropriate) to build flexible and effective solutions.

The following precepts amplify the ifs School of Finance ’ policies and the provision made for students with disabilities:

1. 4.2.1
   Policies and procedures on access, facilities and equipment
   1. 4.2.1.1
      The ifs School of Finance Disability Statement sets parameters to ensure that the needs of individual students are identified on registration and that students are supported at all stages of their academic engagement with the ifs School of Finance .
   2. 4.2.1.2
      The ifs School of Finance has appropriate systems and processes to ensure that student applications, admissions and academic progress are monitored and evaluated, especially in respect of those with disabilities.
   3. 4.2.1.3
      In the first instance, contact is established through Student Support and Guidance and that department liaises with appropriate internal staff to ensure that students’ needs and circumstances are taken into account.
   4. 4.2.1.4
      The flexible and distributed learning bias of ifs School of Finance programmes means that students do not always attend for tuition. However, where students receive face-to-face tuition, particular consideration is given to the needs of disabled students to ensure appropriate access to teaching facilities.
   5. 4.2.1.5
      Students are required to advise the ifs School of Finance of any special needs on registration for a programme of study, thus allowing it to consider any additional adjustments required to the physical environment in which the learning will take place. The relevant ifs School of Finance teams work together with Student Support and Guidance and, where appropriate, the academic centre, to co-ordinate the reasonable adjustments required. Compliance is monitored and reviewed under the arrangements for validation of centres.
   6. 4.2.1.6
      The ifs School of Finance assessment centres are monitored by the Awards and Curriculum team with provision made for disabled access and special equipment or arrangements for students requiring assistance.
2. 4.2.2
   Publicity and programme information
   1. 4.2.2.1
      Under the terms of the Disability Statement, any student requesting information regarding the arrangements in place is furnished with such details in a format appropriate to his/her needs. This information is contained within an inclusive learning plan at the start of a programme of study and sets down the arrangements and/or adjustments made to enable a disabled student to commence and complete the period of study.
   2. 4.2.2.2
      All staff dealing with student admissions, recruitment and selection undergo appropriate training that includes disability and diversity awareness and the imperative to offer students equality of access and provision.
3. 4.2.3
   Selection processes
   1. 4.2.3.1
      In line with the ifs School of Finance Equal Opportunities policy, all students are given equitable consideration in terms of selection and admission procedures with staff trained to enable them to deal with the diversity of the student population.
   2. 4.2.3.2
      The support needs of disabled students are handled in conjunction with the applicant on an individual basis to ensure that his/her requirements and views are taken into account. The details contained in the ifs School of Finance Customer Service Statement apply as much to disabled students as to any other candidates.
   3. 4.2.3.3
      The allocation of a trained staff member as the main contact point for a disabled student is designed to ensure that his/her needs are effectively catered for and drawn to the attention of colleagues, eg in Awards and Curriculum, as appropriate.
4. 4.2.4
   Student induction arrangements
   1. 4.2.4.1
      Enrolment, registration and induction arrangements are set out in the Routes to Management and Routes to Leadership booklets, the student induction packs and student handbooks. Such information is available in a variety of formats, such as large font, or Braille, if required to meet specific needs.
   2. 4.2.4.2
      It is recognised that established induction arrangements at academic centres may require adjustment to cater for the needs of a disabled student. Where such a need arises, the ifs School of Finance acts as the liaison point between the student and the centre. In any event, the centre is made fully aware of the student’s needs following registration, and alternative tuition support offered via distance learning if the centre is unable to accommodate those needs by way of reasonable adjustment.
5. 4.2.5
   Programme specifications
   1. 4.2.5.1
      All programme specifications for degree and diploma programmes are scrutinised in terms of ‘accessibility’ to disabled students as part of the design process.
   2. 4.2.5.2
      Programme and module/unit specifications, which are made available in specific formats if required, provide appropriate and sufficient information to enable students with disabilities and ifs School of Finance support staff to reach informed decisions about what is required in terms of completion of the programme or module/unit and needs to be included in a student’s inclusive learning plan.
6. 4.2.6
   Support services and guidance
   1. 4.2.6.1
      The ifs School of Finance offers a range of support services to all students, irrespective of any disability. Designated members of staff have been identified to help meet the specialist advice and support needs of disabled students. These staff members are drawn from a number of departments across the organisation, which ensures that expert knowledge is available at all points of the student’s interaction with the ifs School of Finance .
7. 4.2.7
   Academic and vocational placements
   1. 4.2.7.1
      The current programmes offered by the ifs School of Finance do not include academic and vocational placements or research degrees. This area of the Code of Practice would be revisited if such elements were introduced so as to ensure that the needs of disabled students were met.
8. 4.2.8
   Assessment and examination procedures
   1. 4.2.8.1
      The ifs School of Finance has in place policies and procedures that allow disabled students equality of opportunity in terms of the achievement of learning outcomes. These are explained in more detail in Chapter 10 of this code (Assessment of Students).
   2. 4.2.8.2
      A student’s inclusive learning plan identifies areas of adjustment or arrangements required to allow completion of all parts of the assessment methodology for the chosen programme of study.
9. 4.2.9
   Student progress
   1. 4.2.9.1
      Should a student's study be interrupted by disability, the procedures detailed in this chapter of the code are followed to ensure that the student's academic progress is not unjustifiably impeded.
      
   2. 4.2.9.2
      Cases are recorded in a non-prejudicial manner and details are held on the central student database. Under the terms of the Data Protection Act, any student can request sight of his/her record on payment of the appropriate fee.
10. 4.2.10
    Staff competency and training
    1. 4.2.10.1
       Staff dealing with any aspect of student support undergo appropriate training that includes disability and diversity awareness as well as information related to the need to offer students equality of access and provision.
    2. 4.2.10.2
       The subject matter is discussed at induction; supported through the Staff Handbook; and followed through in departmental training and development discussions.
    3. 4.2.10.3
       Under the Data Protection and Privacy Statement, disclosure of information related to a student’s disability, or any other aspect of personal data, is handled in a confidential manner. The central database, where such information is recorded, is programmed to provide access to specific aspects of student data to nominated staff only, thereby assuring the confidentiality of the information.
    4. 4.2.10.4
       Information regarding a student’s disability is only passed, with the student’s consent, to third parties where it is necessary to the provision of academic support, for example, in the preparation of study materials or special arrangements through academic centres.
11. 4.2.11
    Complaints and appeals
    1. 4.2.11.1
       Information is made available to all students regarding the policies and procedures relating to making a complaint or appeal arising from disability.
    2. 4.2.11.2
       If requested by a disabled student this information will be made available in an alternative format.
    3. 4.2.11.3
       The ifs School of Finance Customer Service Statement and Chapter 13 of this Code of Practice relating to Academic Appeals and Student Complaints provide additional information for all students.
12. 4.2.12
    Monitoring of systems
    1. 4.2.12.1
       The ifs School of Finance has in place effective monitoring systems related to all aspects of academic provision. However, additional electronic support systems and refined processes are being developed to ensure the effective review of student applications, admissions and academic progress, including those of disabled students.
    2. 4.2.12.2
       Notwithstanding this development, due consideration is given to monitoring the effectiveness of provision for students with disabilities in line with the commitment of the ifs School of Finance to review all its systems and processes so as to enhance and improve the student experience. Overall responsibility for ensuring that students with disabilities are not disadvantaged or excluded in any way lies with the Programme and Validation Committee.