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Chichester with a Disability?

Is anyone willing to weigh in on whether Chichester University is genuinely good at providing reasonable adjustments for disability - and by this I mean in a timely manner (i.e. not like some unis who fudge it after a 2+ month wait once you're already unwell etc.?). Plus anyone prepared to weigh in on the ongoing support and general experience of being a disabled person at Chichester - attitudes of lecturers, getting flexible extensions on deadlines (if, indeed, you need them due to health stuff), the vibe from other students in terms of inclusivity, plus what it's really like to live in Chichester itself with a health condition/ disability and/ or (heaven forbid!) all that long way away in Bognor Regis. Really keen to know more! Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

userhep

In terms of accommodation, they are pretty good at giving disabled students the accommodation they need rather than putting them into the lottery system like others students - you just have to reach out to them about it. They also give disabled students the option to stay in halls - I know some students who have lived on campus their whole degree.

With lecturers, it varies from lecturer to lecturer. I know lecturers who are happy to just give extensions and have heard of others that won't when people really need them. It's hit and miss.

The general vibe is alright. I know of a fair few disabled students at the uni and they seem to have about as good a time as anyone else. There are some issues though like the fact the SU building isn't wheelchair accessible (that may get changed in future but at present it's not great) and the lifts in buildings have been out of order a few times.

I would take my opinion with a pinch of salt - I don't have a physical disability so am just going based on sort of what I've heard and seen (and experience with anxiety, which I have DSA for so I got the first choice accommodation and stuff based on those needs).

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 2

ray_m_23

I was an autistic student at Chichester and the support I personally got when doing my degree in Politics and Contemporary History was second to none and heaps better than the 'support' I got in sixth form. I went to 2 open events and spoke with disability there and they were fab, I sent in my evidence over the summer which included a copy of my diagnosis letter from the specialist and some documents from my school/sixth form which outlined the 'adjustments' they had given me (literally just '[name] uses an iPad in lessons not paper and needs IT in exams'). My first week at Chichester I met with a member of the disability team and they went through the support document they had written up for me - basically a template they had for autistic students and then they made any necessary adjustments based on your course/accommodation and individual needs.

I didn't do a single exam at Chichester, just essays, but if I did have exams they made sure it was written in my document that I needed a small quiet room, use of IT and extra time. There were adjustments available for presentations and speaking as well and they made sure nobody picked on me in class unless my hand was up so I wasn't forced to contribute if I was having a tough time in the class. They had to make all of my reading for each lecture available in advance and only one lecturer went rogue on this, but my academic advisor and the disability service were great in getting this sorted. I'm moving universities as they don't offer the course I want at MA anymore, but will be taking my old support document from Chichester to my new University because I think it was awesome. The email for the disability service is [email protected]

I also have a friend who has spent a few years at Chi and has physical disabilities, she was able to get everywhere around the main Bishop Otter campus no problem, except the laundry room which had a weird lip at the bottom of the door and the doorway was quite narrow when we were there, but I haven't been to the campus since 2023 so I'm not sure if they changed this. There was only one time we couldn't get to a room and that was because the lift was broken, and they didn't tell anyone except for a sign on the door, it would have been nice if they had sent out an email regarding that lift because it was the only one in the academic building and I know there were some other disabled students who then couldn't get to their classes whilst it was out of action. Chichester itself as a city can be hit or miss with accessibility particularly in the town centre as a lot of the walkways are old (it's a Roman city), but for the most part its alright

There is accessible accommodation at Stockbridge (off campus), and Amberley, Chilgrove and Harting have lift facilities and some adapted rooms on Bishop Otter campus, though I'm not sure about Bognor Regis campus. If you need more info you can email [email protected]

I really miss going to Chi and hope it works out for you!