Other disabled students in ecology or zoology?
3
Hello. In September this year, I'm starting my Ecology and Conservation course at UEA. Just wondering if there's any other disabled students doing similar courses there or anywhere else that would be willing to share their experiences so I have an idea what to expect.
For context, I've got diagnosed autism, dyspraxia, hypermobility and a seizure disorder; a leg length discrepancy that is technically undiagnosed at this moment but pretty obvious and suspecting ADHD and dyslexia. Also, I use mobility aids such as crutches (most of the time) and a wheelchair (on bad days).
For context, I've got diagnosed autism, dyspraxia, hypermobility and a seizure disorder; a leg length discrepancy that is technically undiagnosed at this moment but pretty obvious and suspecting ADHD and dyslexia. Also, I use mobility aids such as crutches (most of the time) and a wheelchair (on bad days).
Reply 1
Original post
by jfrdHello. In September this year, I'm starting my Ecology and Conservation course at UEA. Just wondering if there's any other disabled students doing similar courses there or anywhere else that would be willing to share their experiences so I have an idea what to expect.
For context, I've got diagnosed autism, dyspraxia, hypermobility and a seizure disorder; a leg length discrepancy that is technically undiagnosed at this moment but pretty obvious and suspecting ADHD and dyslexia. Also, I use mobility aids such as crutches (most of the time) and a wheelchair (on bad days).
For context, I've got diagnosed autism, dyspraxia, hypermobility and a seizure disorder; a leg length discrepancy that is technically undiagnosed at this moment but pretty obvious and suspecting ADHD and dyslexia. Also, I use mobility aids such as crutches (most of the time) and a wheelchair (on bad days).
Hi! @jfrd 🙂
It's wonderful you're looking to do Ecology and Conservation at UEA!
It's understandable that you may have some questions, so here are some things to look into!
UEA has a student-led disabled student community. They host free events and it gives a sense of community and belonging. Feel free to check out their socials as this can give you an idea of the type of events they hold etc...
As you haven't started at UEA yet and are just looking for tips/stories etc... have a look here at some of UEA's Disability Ambassadors' experiences and what they have to say!
I hope this helps, do let me know if you have any questions!! 🙂
Fatma.
Reply 2
Hi!
Congrats on your offer! Ecology is awesome, and I think I might be the perfect person to answer this, haha!
I study ecology and conservation at UEA and I’m also a disabled student (currently diagnosed with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, but suspected EDS, POTS and I’ve been screened for ASD through the uni, for context!) so I have some mobility issues (but I typically don’t use mobility aids), and neurodivergencies, too.
Contacting academics:
I’ve had a really positive experience with being a disabled student at UEA- the school of BIO is particularly good! When I first started, I met with Iain (the course director for ecology and conservation) and discussed my disabilities with him, how they affect me and what accommodations I might need, especially ones in the field. He’s really patient and understanding and will definitely make accommodations where possible! I also spoke to my advisor (you’ll get assigned an individual advisor, I’m not sure who yours will be, but either speak to them or one of the senior advisors in BIO) about accommodations you might need too. You’ll be able to talk to them more broadly about accommodations for coursework and classes etc too.
Accessibility services:
I also registered with accessibility services, and spoke to a disability advisor, they’re really lovely and super helpful, and they are the people to talk to, to get accommodations put in place. They can help you with sorting extra time, radar keys etc etc! I also chat with my disability advisor any time I have accessibility concerns or worries about other trips. It’s also worth mentioning conditions that aren’t diagnosed too, they’re really good at getting accommodations put in place. They’ve been so so helpful for me, so i definitely recommend it!
Field work (day trips):
In your first year, you’ll do weekly (well, as weekly as the weather allows!) field work with Iain for the Issues and Approaches in Ecology module. Most of these will be in and around the UEA grounds but may require some walking. They typically don’t take all day, maybe 3-4 hours. There’s a few longer field days, to RSPB Titchwell, Ashwellthorpe woods and to Winterton Beach (these are the places we went- this might have changed!). Transport was provided to each by minibus, so you don’t have to worry about getting there, but the days are longer, they were around the 6-8 hours mark. Some of these will be more accessible than others (e.g. RSPB Titchwell is wheelchair accessible), so definitely talk through each with Iain beforehand.
Field work (longer trips):
At the start of second year, we did a two week field trip to Ireland. I really enjoyed this and had a great time! Iain ran this when I went but doesn’t anymore, the person who runs it now though is also lovely! And lots of the staff that go are fab too, so you can talk to them too. That’s a long way off (and may change before you get there) though so I wouldn’t worry too much about it yet!
Disability Liaison Officer:
If you ever have any worries, you can always contact the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in BIO, who is also very friendly and helpful!
Disabled Students Allowance:
Its also worth applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) through Student Finance England if you haven’t already. If you’re really stuck though, you can wait until you get to uni and the disability team can help you.
Sorry for the long message!! I hope you have so much fun! Ecology is an amazing degree! If you have any questions please let me know! I’m happy to give you more details about my experience, or give you some more specific information if you need it!
Best of luck!
Jas
UEA Rep
Congrats on your offer! Ecology is awesome, and I think I might be the perfect person to answer this, haha!
I study ecology and conservation at UEA and I’m also a disabled student (currently diagnosed with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, but suspected EDS, POTS and I’ve been screened for ASD through the uni, for context!) so I have some mobility issues (but I typically don’t use mobility aids), and neurodivergencies, too.
Contacting academics:
I’ve had a really positive experience with being a disabled student at UEA- the school of BIO is particularly good! When I first started, I met with Iain (the course director for ecology and conservation) and discussed my disabilities with him, how they affect me and what accommodations I might need, especially ones in the field. He’s really patient and understanding and will definitely make accommodations where possible! I also spoke to my advisor (you’ll get assigned an individual advisor, I’m not sure who yours will be, but either speak to them or one of the senior advisors in BIO) about accommodations you might need too. You’ll be able to talk to them more broadly about accommodations for coursework and classes etc too.
Accessibility services:
I also registered with accessibility services, and spoke to a disability advisor, they’re really lovely and super helpful, and they are the people to talk to, to get accommodations put in place. They can help you with sorting extra time, radar keys etc etc! I also chat with my disability advisor any time I have accessibility concerns or worries about other trips. It’s also worth mentioning conditions that aren’t diagnosed too, they’re really good at getting accommodations put in place. They’ve been so so helpful for me, so i definitely recommend it!
Field work (day trips):
In your first year, you’ll do weekly (well, as weekly as the weather allows!) field work with Iain for the Issues and Approaches in Ecology module. Most of these will be in and around the UEA grounds but may require some walking. They typically don’t take all day, maybe 3-4 hours. There’s a few longer field days, to RSPB Titchwell, Ashwellthorpe woods and to Winterton Beach (these are the places we went- this might have changed!). Transport was provided to each by minibus, so you don’t have to worry about getting there, but the days are longer, they were around the 6-8 hours mark. Some of these will be more accessible than others (e.g. RSPB Titchwell is wheelchair accessible), so definitely talk through each with Iain beforehand.
Field work (longer trips):
At the start of second year, we did a two week field trip to Ireland. I really enjoyed this and had a great time! Iain ran this when I went but doesn’t anymore, the person who runs it now though is also lovely! And lots of the staff that go are fab too, so you can talk to them too. That’s a long way off (and may change before you get there) though so I wouldn’t worry too much about it yet!
Disability Liaison Officer:
If you ever have any worries, you can always contact the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in BIO, who is also very friendly and helpful!
Disabled Students Allowance:
Its also worth applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) through Student Finance England if you haven’t already. If you’re really stuck though, you can wait until you get to uni and the disability team can help you.
Sorry for the long message!! I hope you have so much fun! Ecology is an amazing degree! If you have any questions please let me know! I’m happy to give you more details about my experience, or give you some more specific information if you need it!
Best of luck!
Jas
UEA Rep
Reply 3
Hey!
First off congratulations on your offer! Just to add to this thread, I’m also an ecology and conservation student, and I am also disabled! I’ve been screened through disability services at UEA for multiple neurodivergencies and I have IBD.
SPLD screening:
Jas has already covered most of this, but additionally you can access a neurodivergency screening through UEA when you start (this is free, will take you an afternoon , and is online). That will then enable you to get access to reasonable adjustments for SPLDs, even if they’re not diagnosed. I did this in my first year, and even without formal diagnoses, I can access the same adjustments as other disabled students- so it’s really worth doing! You will already be able to get adjustments for autism and dyspraxia, but this will help for ADHD and dyslexia- and will help if you want to go on to get a formal diagnosis too!
Disability services:
Jas has already mentioned disability services- I’ll back this up! They are really fab, I meet with an advisor usually about once a term to check everything is working ok for me, and I’m keeping on top of my work. They helped me set up my adjustments for my IBD and neurodivergencies too, and you can fill out a form before you start at uni to get in contact with them early (check your emails for information about this).
Uni accommodation:
I don’t know if you’re thinking of living in uni accommodation, but if you are, definitely get in contact with the accommodation team, as you can do things like move in early on their ‘quiet move in’ days, so you can settle and adjust to the new space before the rush! I did this and it was definitely worth it to feel a bit more settled before my flatmates moved in the next day. The accommodation team are really good too, you can also chat to them about things like being pre-warned before they do fire alarm tests if that is something that you might struggle with!
Wheelchair accessibility:
There is a wheelchair accessible route around campus marked out by a orange line on the floor. Most of your lectures will either be in the big lecture theatres or in the New Sciences Building (labs), these are wheelchair accessible too (lifts, and chairlifts in the lecture theatre so you can sit where you want), but if you can’t get to your lectures for whatever reason, you can chat to disability services who can move the room for you.
Lab work:
There will be lab work sessions, I would say it’s worth introducing yourself to the module organisers for these modules so they can chat through how to make these accessible for you (it’s worth doing this for each of your modules anyway!). They are really good about sorting this, and there are things already in place that are helpful, like stools in the labs so you can sit down whilst you do your work and adjustable height desks.
Good luck, and like Jas said, please let us know if you’ve got any questions!
Rosie
First off congratulations on your offer! Just to add to this thread, I’m also an ecology and conservation student, and I am also disabled! I’ve been screened through disability services at UEA for multiple neurodivergencies and I have IBD.
SPLD screening:
Jas has already covered most of this, but additionally you can access a neurodivergency screening through UEA when you start (this is free, will take you an afternoon , and is online). That will then enable you to get access to reasonable adjustments for SPLDs, even if they’re not diagnosed. I did this in my first year, and even without formal diagnoses, I can access the same adjustments as other disabled students- so it’s really worth doing! You will already be able to get adjustments for autism and dyspraxia, but this will help for ADHD and dyslexia- and will help if you want to go on to get a formal diagnosis too!
Disability services:
Jas has already mentioned disability services- I’ll back this up! They are really fab, I meet with an advisor usually about once a term to check everything is working ok for me, and I’m keeping on top of my work. They helped me set up my adjustments for my IBD and neurodivergencies too, and you can fill out a form before you start at uni to get in contact with them early (check your emails for information about this).
Uni accommodation:
I don’t know if you’re thinking of living in uni accommodation, but if you are, definitely get in contact with the accommodation team, as you can do things like move in early on their ‘quiet move in’ days, so you can settle and adjust to the new space before the rush! I did this and it was definitely worth it to feel a bit more settled before my flatmates moved in the next day. The accommodation team are really good too, you can also chat to them about things like being pre-warned before they do fire alarm tests if that is something that you might struggle with!
Wheelchair accessibility:
There is a wheelchair accessible route around campus marked out by a orange line on the floor. Most of your lectures will either be in the big lecture theatres or in the New Sciences Building (labs), these are wheelchair accessible too (lifts, and chairlifts in the lecture theatre so you can sit where you want), but if you can’t get to your lectures for whatever reason, you can chat to disability services who can move the room for you.
Lab work:
There will be lab work sessions, I would say it’s worth introducing yourself to the module organisers for these modules so they can chat through how to make these accessible for you (it’s worth doing this for each of your modules anyway!). They are really good about sorting this, and there are things already in place that are helpful, like stools in the labs so you can sit down whilst you do your work and adjustable height desks.
Good luck, and like Jas said, please let us know if you’ve got any questions!
Rosie
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