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Information for students
Please note: Estates will be reviewing all departments access information via departmental administrators during michealmas 2010. If, in the meantime, you would like to update your information please contact disability@admin.ox.ac.uk. As some of the information is now out of date please use caution when refering to these webpages and contact the department direct for current Access information.
The Disability Office
General Information
The Disability Office can be contacted by phone on (01865) 280459 or via email on disability@admin.ox.ac.uk. Information is also available on the Disability Office website.
Guide
The Disability Office produces a 'Guide for Disabled Students and Applicants,' which is available in alternative formats on request and is sent to all students offered a place at the University prior to the start of their course. This guide is also available on the Disability Office website.
Oxford University Student Union (OUSU)
OUSU has a Disabilities Action Group and produces a 'Guide for Students with Disabilities'. For further information contact the Vice-President (Welfare) on 01865 288461 or welfare@ousu.org. OUSU has a website, Oxford University Student Union: Student Advice, and is based at Thomas Hull House, off New Inn Hall Street.
Colleges
Oxford is a collegiate university; undergraduates apply directly to a college and not to the University as a whole. It is a good idea to consider your choice of college carefully as you will probably be living there for some, if not all, of your student life. Although facilities in the majority of colleges are not ideal for wheelchair users, provision for applicants with mobility and other disabilities during the interview process and beyond will be made wherever possible. Details of provision
Departments
Location of departments is important as you will have lectures and, if you are a scientist, practicals to attend. It is important, especially if you are a scientist, to be aware of the accessibility of the faculty buildings themselves, as they will be an important part of your student life. Links to departmental websites can be found on the University website's Academic Divisions and departments page. Details of provision
Libraries
Details about accessibility in each of OULS's libraries are available at http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/services/disability/access and if you would like to read the guides for specific libraries PDF and Word versions are available online at http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/services/guides. More information about the services Oxford University Library Services provides for disabled readers is available at http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/services/disability. If you would like to discuss any particular requirements please contact the Disability Librarian, Teresa Pedroso, via email teresa.pedroso@ouls.ox.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1865 283861.
Social life
Due to the nature of the collegiate system students tend to socialise within their colleges. This often takes place in the college bar. Unfortunately, the bars vary in their accessibility and disabled toilet provision. This may be an important factor when making your choice of college. There are, however, several pubs and restaurants within the city centre which do have independent wheelchair access and which many students from all colleges frequent. OUSU produce an 'Oxford Handbook' which includes information on accessible venues, for example, The Westgate, The Mitre, Browns, Pizza Hut, Yates, The Brewery Gate.
Funding
Where relevant the Disability Office can assist students with making an application for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) to the local education authority and can advise on the other funds available to disabled students. The University also has the Southern Trust Fund that can provide limited grants and loans for students who incur additional expenses because of their disabilities. Further information on this and other sources of funding are available direct from the Disability Office.
Access Guide webmaster
(eoweb@admin.ox.ac.uk)