Accommodation
Fully accessible accommodation is difficult to secure and some students, especially students with a physical disability, will face difficulties when seeking accommodation.
The larger universities and colleges provide on-campus student rooms and residences, but only a small number of these may be fully accessible to wheelchair users, blind, or deaf students.
On Campus Accommodation
When students are applying for a college place, they should also contact the Disability/Access Officer and/or the Accommodation Officer in the college of their choice. The Disability Officer or the Accommodation Officer will be able to provide up to-date information on the availability of accessible on-campus accommodation.
Unfortunately, securing a college place does not mean that you will also secure on-campus accommodation. Therefore, if on-campus accommodation is being sought, it is the responsibility of the student with a disability to state, at the time of applying for a college place, that s/he needs accessible accommodation. This will ensure that the student will be on the list when accommodation is being designated and s/he will, therefore, have a better chance of being allocated suitable rooms.
Off Campus Accommodation
Where colleges do not provide accessible on-campus accommodation, or where a student does not wish to live on-campus, local housing may be sought.
Students seeking off-campus accommodation should:
Contact the Local Authority or County Council in the college area and ask for a list of (accessible) housing.
Contact the Accommodation/Welfare Officer for accommodation lists. Landlords register with the Accommodation Service Student Union and students are given a list of available housing upon request.
What is Accessible Accommodation?
Accommodation accessible to students who use a wheelchair will require that the:
- worktops, kitchen tables, cookers, etc., are at an appropriate level for use by a student in a wheelchair,
- the bathroom/bedroom is big enough for a wheelchair to move around,
- the landlord/college allows a personal assistant stay with the student, and
- proper fire and safety measures are in place.
Accommodation accessible to blind and partially sighted students will require that:
- there is adequate space to move around without encountering obstacles,
- instructions for use of cooker, microwave, security devices, etc., are in blind readable form, and
- proper fire and safety measures are in place.
Accommodation accessible to deaf and partially hearing students will require that:
- there is a minicom facility available,
- there is a facility for lights to flash when doorbell rings, and
- proper fire and safety measures are in place.
General Guidelines
Whether the accommodation sought is off or on-campus, students should know their rights as a tenant.
- Ensure that the accommodation is up to proper standards, in heating, lighting, security measures.
- Every tenant has the right to a rent book which records rent paid.
- If the student is required to sign a lease, s/he should read the terms of the lease very carefully before signing it.
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