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Support for disabled students

We provide a range of activities, services and support to help disabled students get the most out of University life.

Getting ready to start University

This checklist will help you prepare before you start at York.

The Complete University Guide for Disabled Students outlines what to consider and how to plan for starting university.

Support at the University of York

Disability Services

The University’s Disability Services team offers a range of help and support to help you with your studies. This includes: 

  • Arranging reasonable adjustments to help with your academic work, through a Student Support Plan
  • Arranging support workers to help you with your studies, for example note-taking, examination support and library assistance
  • Liaising with your academic department
  • Guidance on applying for Disabled Student Allowances
  • Information on how to get a diagnostic assessment
  • Support for students with Specific Learning Difficulties

To access support, complete the Disability Services Registration form, via the e:vision 'Your Support' page. You will be asked to upload some Supporting Information about your disability. A Disability Adviser will then be in touch to complete a Student Support Plan. 

Contact Disability Services

Accommodation

The Accommodation Services team manages our on campus accommodation and provide a range of support for disabled students: 

  • If you have specific requirements or require adaptations, please see their Additional requirements webpages. 
  • If you are a home (UK) disabled student, and received approval for additional requirements when you applied for accommodation, you may be eligible for Disability Funding to help with accommodation costs.
  • If you require a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan to exit campus buildings in an emergency, you will be asked about this on your Accommodation application form, and the Fire Safety Team will then be in touch. 

Browse accommodation support

Student advice

The Student Advice and Communities team can help with: 

To access support, use the form below and the team will contact you. 

Contact Student Advice (referral form)

If you cannot complete the referral form, the Student Information team in the Student Hub can help (available Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm).

Wellbeing and mental health 

If you are finding things difficult, there is plenty of support available to help you.

  • Open Door: a team of Mental Health Practitioners providing support to students experiencing psychological or mental health difficulties.
  • Student and College Wellbeing Officers: based in academic departments and colleges to offer support if you're experiencing personal or academic issues that are affecting your wellbeing.
  • College Teams: your College team are there to welcome you, help you to settle in and to offer support and guidance.
  • Talk Campus: a free app offering 24/7 peer support. 

Browse more health support

Working while you study (Careers)

If you're looking for part time work, the Careers team provide resources to help:

Find out more by attending the Careers drop-in sessions from 10am to 12pm, Monday to Thursday during semester time. The Drop-ins will be held on the first floor of the Harry Fairhurst Building in the Library. Alternatively, you can book an online or in person appointment via Handshake.

More about Careers and Placements

Get involved with the student community

Student Communities programme

If you are a home (UK) undergraduate disabled student, then the Student Communities programme is for you. 

This is a programme of support and events for specific groups of undergraduate students who are under-represented at University. 

This includes the:

What students say: 

  • "Step Ahead is organised so well and tailored to all people requiring different accessibilities. The crafts, the exercises, activities and system of staff/ helpers was so uplifting and supportive."
  • "The event was really useful, very glad I came. Loved the way my autistic needs were accommodated."
  • "Having a Buddy has been really helpful for easing my anxiety and having someone to turn to when I didn't know where to be or who to speak to."

We take an inclusive approach to ensure all feel welcome and we would love to meet you at our events. 

If you have a recent diagnosis or do not currently receive our Student Communities newsletter and would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact us at student-communities@york.ac.uk.

We also send out a fortnightly Disabled Students' Community Newsletter during semester time, which lists events, support and activities of interest to disabled students. This is automatically sent to all our home (UK) undergraduate students who have declared a disability when enrolling with the University. 

If you don’t currently receive this email and think you would be eligible, or if you are a carer or member of staff that supports disabled students and would like to receive a copy, please complete the request form to be added to the mailing list:

Find out more about Student Communities

Social networks and opportunities

There’s loads of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and make connections:

  • College events: Whether you live on or off campus, you will be allocated membership of a college. Colleges run regular events and activities throughout the year.
  • Spectrum: An informal group for students who consider themselves to be on the autistic spectrum, facilitated by a Disability Adviser. Runs weekly during semester time either in person or online.  
  • Sunflower Social Club: A weekly gathering for students who identify as disabled, neurodivergent, d/Deaf or as having chronic illness, run by students through the Student Communities programme. Our Money Advice session Access it All also takes place here twice a semester. 
  • The Distractibles: A peer support group for those with ADHD but also open to any students and staff who find it hard to focus and are plagued by distractions! The group also provides a platform for sharing tried and tested tips, strategies and resources to help with studying and juggling many things at one time. 

York Student Union societies

There are also hundreds of clubs and societies at the Students' Union for you to get involved in. Some that may be of particular interest include:

The Students' Union groups are always looking for people to help run them, and would love to hear from you! To get involved, contact societies@yorksu.org. 

If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for financial support towards costs of membership and equipment, through the YorkSU Activities Access Grant.

More about the Students' Union

Campus spaces and accessibility

Quiet and sensory spaces

Our Quiet Spaces on campus are designed for both quiet study and/or self-regulation and decompressing.

From Sensory Retreat Rooms and Wellbeing Rooms to Zoom Pods and Outdoor Sensory Spaces, you can find the perfect spot.

Explore quiet spaces

Study doubling spaces

Study Doubling (Body Doubling) is when two or more people study together side by side without talking. It's like having a silent team mate who helps you to stay focused, just by being there.

There are designated areas in the Library where you can go for Study Doubling.

Find study doubling spaces

Campus accessibility guides

The University of York is constantly striving to make all aspects of university life accessible.