Mobility Impairment
Students with physical impairments may have difficulties with mobility, manual dexterity and speech. Some would use a wheelchair all or some of the time and support with personal care and the more physical aspects of studio-based courses may be required. They may have difficulty getting from place to place quickly.
We feel that it is important for students and staff not affected by a mobility impairment to understand some of the difficulties that may be encountered by students who are wheelchair users or who have impaired mobility.
What is mobility impairment?
Students with physical impairments may have difficulties with
mobility, manual dexterity and speech. Some would use a wheelchair all
or some of the time and support with personal care and the more
physical aspects of studio-based courses may be required. They may have
difficulty getting from place to place quickly.
Steps and stairs, steep paths, narrow or heavy doors, cramped working
space, high level furniture and the lack of adapted toilet facilities
pose real difficulties for students who are wheelchair users and those
whose mobility is severely impaired. Where this is the case for
students on a particular course, every effort should be made to make
the necessary adjustments to ensure that students receive a good
learning experience. This may require room changes or special
equipment.
Some students with physical disabilities require rest periods between
lectures or seminars. Students whose disability is connected to a
medical condition may also need time out of college because of this,
and University College staff should be sensitive to this issue. University College
Falmouth is committed to improving and extending support and facilities
to students with disabilities. Whilst we recognise that the hilly
terrain of West Cornwall may present problems for wheelchair users or
those with mobility difficulties, students with a range of disabilities
have studied here successfully. Adjustments and services that we are
able to provide to those with mobility impairments are outlined below.
Assisting the mobility impaired
To assist those who are mobility impaired, we have provided various facilities on campus. The facilities currently in place include:
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair accessible toilets
- Accessible facilities such as the refectory, library, teaching rooms etc.
- Support workers who can assist with the physical aspects of your course *
All of the University College's newer buildings have been designed with the needs of the physically disabled in mind. There are wheelchair facilities, such as lifts, designated parking spaces and ramps and disabled toilet facilities.
There are specially adapted flats within the Student Residences that are located in the centre of town for easy access to shops, banks, pubs and galleries. Personal Carers can be accommodated.
* The Disability Service can provide support workers for students who require assistance with the physical aspects of their course. These supporters (or Enablers) have no particular qualifications, but are sensitive to the issues for students with disabilities, and are funded through the University College from the individual student's Disabled Students Allowance.
Accessibility Service contacts
Gaynor Astbury - Accessibility Services Manager
Tel: 01326 370443 (ext 1443)
email: gaynor.astbury@falmouth.ac.uk
Sophie Atherton - Accessibility Adviser - Tremough
Tel: 01326 253629 (ext 3629)
email: sophie.atherton@falmouth.ac.uk
Mel Dove - Accessibility Adviser - Woodlane
Tel: 01326 213737 (ext 3737)
email: mel.dove@falmouth.ac.uk
Tel: 01326 254149
email: susanna.pope@falmouth.ac.uk
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