All details on our college web site can be viewed in alternative formats to meet the needs of disabled users. For example visually impaired users may access the site using software such as speech screen readers like Zoom Text (this facility is available in Learning Support Room - Structured Study 21/22). Where images have been used we have added 'Alt' tags - text alternatives that describe the image. We have also included a text only version of the web site View this web site as TEXT ONLY. From the text only environment you can choose your viewing preferences according to your needs, for example for those with Dyslexia there is the option to change text size, background colour, text or button navigation.

As part of our on-going commitment to the DDA we have included Access Keys to the main college website:
Menu to Access Keys = Alt + 0 so users who are unable to use a mouse or pointing device can now access more speedily the main web pages.

The college prospectus and all subject leaflets are on the college web site – this means alternative versions are available to meet a variety of needs. Should you have any problems in achieving the alternative format required please contact:
Gavin Bates: e-mail g.bates@bhasvic.ac.uk or
Nicky Deakin: e-mail n.deakin@bhasvic.ac.uk in Marketing.

Welcome to Learning Support at BHASVIC. We will be working to make sure you receive the support you need, to enable you to reach your own potential whilst at College. Whatever your individual learning needs, you deserve the same opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge as every other student. Our aim is to help you to develop your own strategies for managing any difficulties, or different abilities, you may have, so that you leave BHASVIC as an independent learner.

We depend on you to work with us to achieve this, and we are looking forward to meeting you!

Paula Keenan
Head of Learning Support

BHASVIC values diversity and is committed to fair treatment for all students and staff regardless of age, disability, race, gender or belief. We are justly proud of the quality of the attention and individual support within a small group environment we offer.

This leaflet is designed to provide a clear overview of the access arrangements and provision to meet the individual learning needs of disabled students including those with learning difficulties. It is reviewed on an annual basis in seeking to maintain the College’s good practice in this area of provision and to ensure our ongoing compliance with our Equality and Diversity Policy.

The College welcomes the Disability Discrimination Act (as amended by the Special Educational Needs & Disability Act 2001). We will make all reasonable adjustments to all aspects of the College to avoid disadvantage to any disabled student.

A guiding principle of the provision is to meet the individual learning needs of disabled students at the College. It is our aim to work towards providing all students with an inclusive education, whereby they can access all the opportunities provided by College life. We work to encourage students to develop their confidence and independence in managing their disability to help them succeed.

BHASVIC has particular experience and expertise in supporting students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia and those with a visual and/or hearing impairment. Our general experience includes support for a wide range of learning difficulties and disabilities, including Asperger’s syndrome. We have limited experience of supporting students with cognitive learning difficulties more severe than those described as ‘moderate or mild’.

Every applicant who declares a disability or who has received extra time in exams or extra support in school, whether or not that support is supported with a Section 140 Statement, will be offered a confidential interview to assess their particular needs and negotiate appropriate support, where possible.

Learning Support that meets the needs of disabled students is provided by the Learning Support department. This support may be delivered in a range of different ways, in a variety of settings including:

• The Structured Study/IT workrooms (which provide the key base for a wide range of specialist resources and equipment)
• Tutorial Rooms for one to one and small group support
• Classrooms
• A quiet environment can be made available

Where appropriate, Learning Support staff can offer:

• Help preparing for College by meeting teachers before courses start and discussing needs and approaches
• Opportunities to visit the College in ‘taster’ sessions to help you become familiar with it
• Support during Introductory Day for students with specific needs
• Support with the application and enrolment procedures
• Mediation between teachers and student to help sort out day-to-day needs
• One-to-one teaching and guidance (including regular reviews of progress and support needs)
• A Classroom Learner Assistant
• Small group sessions to work on study skills
• Dissemination of ‘hints and tips’ literature and resources to help support more effective learning
• Links with external agencies who provide special services e.g. The Brighton and Hove Sensory Needs Service
• Specialist assessment through an Educational Psychologist or a specialist teacher
• BHASVIC’s Learning Support department works with partner schools and Connexions advisors to ensure continuity of support from school to College.

Where appropriate, the College can offer students use of the following equipment:

• A suite of PCs linked to the Internet and to the College Intranet
• Dragon Dictate (Voice Recognition Software)
• Spell Check, Text Prediction and Mind-Mapping Software
• Text reader pens
• Dictaphones
• Electronic Thesauruses
• Cassette recorders
• Colour key-top keyboards
• Magnification equipment for the visually impaired eg. ‘myReader’

Where appropriate, the College can offer students the following examination support, subject to assessment evidence:

• Extra time allowance
• Use of a word processor
• Modified Language for deaf students
• Large print papers/papers on different coloured paper for the visually impaired
• Someone to write the exam script (amanuensis)
• Someone to read the exam script
• A prompter to alert an Asperger student when distracted
• A communicator for a deaf student
• Special lighting or seating arrangements
• Use of a practical assistant
• Whole or partial transcripts
• A separate room to take your exams in

Entitlement to most of these arrangements is linked to student attendance at Learning Support sessions throughout the year.