Support for autism/mental health at Exeter University

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the support services at Exeter University (particularly for autistic students, but also for students with mental health difficulties). I am applying to Exeter and this is very important to me, so any input will be appreciated

I wrote this on their Facebook page. I would avoid this university!

"The attitudes I have experienced are ableist and they are not willing to support students. The emphasis is always on how the student should solve the issue and not on how the University can be inclusive and supportive. Any attempt to suggest reasonable adjustments, such as transcripts for the lectures, has been met with an unfavourable sentiment - it has taken a pandemic for transcripts to become a University-wide requirement for all students to have full access. If something as basic as this was not freely offered, which would have been beneficial to large numbers of students, how can I expect to get anything else?
ILPs are a veil for inclusivity and an AccessAbility employee stated that a tutor only needs to be aware of the existence of an ILP for the legal requirements under the Equality Act to be covered. If this is true, it is extremely concerning as being aware of an ILP but not acknowledging the issue is passive discrimination. As a result, ILPs become pretty worthless.
The University is failing in its duty of care towards its students, and this is evidenced by the constant uprisings over their treatment during the pandemic, and Exepose also recently had an article highlighting the failings of the Wellbeing team.
When a tutor was informed about the issues I was having with the audio of online tutorials which was causing pain due to sound sensitivity and resulted in an anxiety attack, the response was I did not have to attend them live but I still had to LISTEN to the recording. These tutorials were disabling me and the attitude I had was to still endure it.
The University believes that FORCED inclusion of disabled students would make them appear inclusive yet they are creating a culture that is ableist. True inclusion and equality would be to respect the autonomy of the individual and their needs. Unfortunately, the University is too intent on focusing on their own needs to care for their students in a respectable way."

I wrote this on their Facebook page. I would avoid this university!

"The attitudes I have experienced are ableist and they are not willing to support students. The emphasis is always on how the student should solve the issue and not on how the University can be inclusive and supportive. Any attempt to suggest reasonable adjustments, such as transcripts for the lectures, has been met with an unfavourable sentiment - it has taken a pandemic for transcripts to become a University-wide requirement for all students to have full access. If something as basic as this was not freely offered, which would have been beneficial to large numbers of students, how can I expect to get anything else?
ILPs are a veil for inclusivity and an AccessAbility employee stated that a tutor only needs to be aware of the existence of an ILP for the legal requirements under the Equality Act to be covered. If this is true, it is extremely concerning as being aware of an ILP but not acknowledging the issue is passive discrimination. As a result, ILPs become pretty worthless.
The University is failing in its duty of care towards its students, and this is evidenced by the constant uprisings over their treatment during the pandemic, and Exepose also recently had an article highlighting the failings of the Wellbeing team.
When a tutor was informed about the issues I was having with the audio of online tutorials which was causing pain due to sound sensitivity and resulted in an anxiety attack, the response was I did not have to attend them live but I still had to LISTEN to the recording. These tutorials were disabling me and the attitude I had was to still endure it.
The University believes that FORCED inclusion of disabled students would make them appear inclusive yet they are creating a culture that is ableist. True inclusion and equality would be to respect the autonomy of the individual and their needs. Unfortunately, the University is too intent on focusing on their own needs to care for their students in a respectable way."

I mean judging by their document for autistic students to read this does not come as a huge surprise to me. Thank you for sharing, though


Judging by their document for autistic students, this is not altogether surprising. Either way, thanks a lot for sharing

Wow, thanks for sharing. I had heard from some students that the support at Exeter was a bit patchy, but didn't realise it was that bad. Is this from your own experience there? If so, I'm sorry that the support system let you down so badly. I have since been looking at other universities anyway, but after reading that I am unsure about how much I should trust what is advertised on the university websites. I guess I'll have to hear it from the students. Thank you for posting though, I didn't think I would get any replies on this

Is this the document you are talking about?
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/wellbeing/documents/Transition_Pack_-_Advice_for_Students_with_Autism_Spectrum_Conditions.pdf

That's the one. Filled me with an overwhelming sense of cringe... it was both condescending and out of touch in equal measure

I mean judging by their document for autistic students to read this does not come as a huge surprise to me. Thank you for sharing, though
Judging by their document for autistic students, this is not altogether surprising. Either way, thanks a lot for sharing