Disability Services

Disability Statement

The College's Disability Policy sets out the college's commitment to both potential and existing students with a disability. North West Regional College will seek to encourage students to disclose a disability and to ensure that students with a disability are protected from discrimination and have equal access, where appropriate, to the full range of college facilities and services. North West Regional College will treat all students with respect and dignity, and seek to provide a positive learning environment free from disability discrimination, harassment or victimisation.

North West Regional College recognises its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, Special Educational Needs Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and its statutory obligations.

Definition of Disability
A disability is defined as "a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities" (Disability Discrimination Act 1995).

Support for your studies

The College provides support for the following areas of disability:

  • Visual impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Specific Learning Difficulties e.g dyslexia
  • Autistic Spectrum Disorder e.g Aspergers Syndrome
  • Mental Health difficulties
  • Mobility, dexterity and/or chronic pain

The college may be able to help students with assistive technologies such as:

  • Specialist Software e.g Texthelp, Inspiration, JAWS
  • Alternative Formats e.g Braille, audio, large print
  • Communication devices
  • Ergonomics
  • Keyboard and mouse options
  • Hearing devices and loop systems
  • Magnification aids
  • Recording technologies
  • Reference software: Dictionary & Thesaurus
  • Scanning and reading devices
  • Writing aids

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

The disabled students allowance helps Higher Education students pay for extra studying costs they may incur as a direct result of a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. The allowances can help with the cost of non medical personal helper, items of specialist equipment, travel and other course-related costs.

If you want to apply for DSA you should do so as early as possible before your course starts so that arrangements can be made for any special support you need to be assessed and ready in time for the start of your course.

DSA application forms are available from the Learning Support Centre, C267
To check your eligibility for DSA, contact:
Cathy Coyle, DSA Officer, Studentfinanceni, 1 Hospital Road Omagh BT79 0AW
Tel:  02882 411235  or  go onto the website:  www.Studentfinanceni.co.uk

You are NOT eligible for DSA if you are an EU student and are eligible only for support with your fees.

Inclusive Learning Centres @ North West Regional College

The college currently has two Learning Support Centres based in Strand Road and Limavady staffed by experienced qualified personnel. The team will handle your enquiries in a professional and sensitive manner.

Contacts: Inclusive Learning Centres
Derry/Londonderry Campus       (028) 7127 6511 Email: anne.g.bradley@nwrc.ac.uk
Learning Support Administrator  (028) 7127 6024 Email: tara.oconnor@nwrc.ac.uk

Please contact us if you have a disability or medical condition that might affect your studies.

Disability Links

Click here for LEARNING SUPPORT FAQS