This information is for current students who have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition that you feel may impact your studies with Gem-A. We use the term ‘disability’ as it is used in UK Equality law, which defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
For more information on our disability and equality policies please visit the Student Policies and Procedures in the online shared resources or contact studentservices@gem-a.com for a copy.

What support is available?

During the course
If you are an ATC student, other than London, any course provisions will need to be implemented by your ATC, please contact them directly for support.
Examples of London course and London lab class provisions can include:

• Preferred seating plan
• Lesson schedules in advance
• PowerPoints in advance on coloured paper

For examinations and coursework (includes online assessments and student project)

Examples of support can include but are not limited to the following:

• Providing additional time or rest breaks
• Access to a scribe for written exams
• Ensuring that no penalties are given for poor spelling, grammar, punctuation and structure in examination scripts, unless these are being directly assessed and are core to an understanding of the course.
• Changes to the physical environment in which an exam is taken e.g. allowing a student to sit an exam in a smaller room or a room on their own.

What evidence does Gem-A need from you?

We are keen to ensure that you are supported appropriately on your chosen course. In order to make any specific arrangements we need you to provide acceptable evidence about your disability, in particular where a reasonable adjustment on your exams or coursework may need to be implemented.

Examples of acceptable evidence:

• For Autistic Spectrum Disorders and ADD/ADHD we require a letter or diagnostic report completed and signed by a medical professional, e.g. doctor, consultant, clinical psychologist.
• For Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculi we require a diagnostic assessment report carried out using adult tests and by a specialist teacher or educational psychologist.
• For disabilities (e.g. visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability) ongoing illness, health conditions, mental health difficulties, temporary disabilities, injuries or short term illnesses we will need documentation from a medical professional, e.g. your GP or consultant outlining:
  • Details of your disability or medical condition and symptoms – does it cause fatigue, loss of concentration, anxiety etc., when the diagnosis was made, whether it is on-going or long-term, any implications for study and day-to-day activities, the likely duration–(for temporary conditions).

What if I have insufficient evidence?

If your report does not meet these criteria, please contact Student Support as soon as possible and we will advise on the action you should take.

Who will see my information?

When you disclose a disability key staff at Gem-A will be notified, these include, the examination manager, examiners, support staff and your tutor.
Please see the Privacy Policy for further information on what happens to your records.

What are the deadlines to receive evidence?

For the course:
We cannot make any adjustments to online assessments without evidence or after the assessment has been submitted. If you are studying at our London ATC or attending a lab class we cannot apply any provisions for you during your studies, until we have received your evidence. We therefore strongly advise you to send this in before your course start date.
It remains open to you to disclose any disabilities or health conditions at a later date at which point appropriate support can be considered, but not backdated.

For examinations:
In order to ensure that arrangements are in place in adequate time for your examinations all evidence requested must be received by Student Support by 1 May if your exam is in June and by 1 December if your exam is in January. If attending an exam at the end of your practical lab class please ensure that evidence is received in the first few days.
After this deadline there is no guarantee that arrangements can be made.

If you have any queries regarding this document please contact Student Support: studentservices@gem-a.com