Physical disabilities

We provide support for physical disabilities and long-term medical conditions, such as:

• supporting you with your Disabled Student Allowances application 
• providing DSA-funded specialist mentors (where eligible)
• liaising with academic departments, so that you have the support you need on your course
• getting support put in place via central departments such as the Examinations Office and Accommodation
• directing you to other university services e.g. The University Medical Practice, University Counselling, Reading Students' Union.

Campus facilities and access

The University has two campuses in Reading:

1. Whiteknights a large scenic campus, with parkland and a lake where the majority of our courses are taught. Although it is mostly level with gentle slopes, wheelchair users are advised to use a power assisted chair.
2. London Road is a compact and level campus - our education and architecture courses are taught here. 

University buildings - We are continually improving access to buildings and try to make sure that lectures are timetabled in accessible rooms. Most of our teaching buildings are accessible for wheelchair users, although some older buildings have limited access. Induction loop facilities are available in a large number of our lecture halls.

 

Parking - All university buildings are accessible by car and most have disabled parking spaces nearby. Students with mobility issues may apply for a permit to park on campus, for which there is a small annual charge. Permits for Blue Badge holders are free of charge, but you still need to make an application using the online system.

Transport - There are regular buses into Reading from University campuses 24 hours a day. All Reading buses have low floors, are equipped with ramps and have a space prioritised for wheelchairs. Find out more at Reading Buses or call on +44 (0)118 959 4000.  There is also a dial-a-ride (Readibus) scheme. For more information, call +44 (0)118 931 0000. 

Campus accessibility - Email us or call on +44 (0)118 378 8921.

 

Campus accommodation

Living in Halls

The University has a wide range of halls, on and around campus. They vary in size and age, but all have access to common rooms and laundry facilities. Others have newly refurbished study spaces and some have a bar or eatery on site.

Several of the halls of residence have rooms available for students that are adapted for wheelchair users and students who have a mobility impairment. These rooms are located in:

• Childs, (Padworth)
• MacKinder (Hurley)
• Bridges
• McCombie
• Dunsden
• St Georges
• Benyon

Park Group (Childs, Mackinder, McCombie and Dunsden)

The rooms in Childs and Mackinder are self-catered and the kitchens have been adapted with height adjustable workstations. Childs and Mackinder are some of the newest halls and have automated doors to the hall, flat and room. All have large en-suite wet rooms as their bathrooms. Two of the rooms are in flats of five other rooms and the others are located in flats of seven rooms. Childs and Mackinder form part of the Park Group of residence, which are not far from the main campus and linked by paved paths.

McCombie is also in the Park group but is a slightly older hall. It is self-catered and with rooms that have been adapted for wheelchair access. The doors to this hall are not automated.

Dunsden is the only catered Hall with adapted rooms so would be more suitable for students who wish to take advantage of a catered package. The dining rooms are located in Park Eat a short distance from the hall of residence. Again, these rooms have been adapted for wheelchair access. There are automated doors to the hall, flat and room.

Redlands Group (Bridges, St Georges and Benyon)

Bridges Hall was opened in 2014 and has purpose-built rooms that have ensuite wet rooms. Some of the rooms have automated doors and some have power -assisted doors. This hall is self-catered with good size kitchen facilities.

St Georges and Benyon halls are slightly off-campus. They are older halls that have been partially adapted and do not have automated doors. They are both available as self - catered halls and the kitchens are fitted with lower work surfaces and units.


Other Halls

The University also has rooms at Kendrick Hall, which is adjacent to the London Road campus. If you would find it helpful to be located nearer to London Road please make this clear in your application. The rooms in Kendrick are all ensuite and self catered with some studio flats one of which is accessible for wheelchair users.


Your room application

When applying for accommodation, you will be invited to access the booking site through the RISIS web portal. Students MUST make all requests clear on the application form, including, if requiring, an automated door, wet room, ground floor, ensuite, deaf alerter and any other requirements. The Accommodation team will allocate rooms using this information so it is vital that you give as much information as possible to assist us in allocating the most appropriate room for you.

The University has an arrangement with the hall service provider that reasonable adaptations may be undertaken to accommodate students with a range of needs. This includes making arrangements for an assistance animal or additional rooms for carers.

Again you should make these requirements clear on your application.

If you have a hearing impairment and require a Deaf Alerter, these can be provided in most rooms. Small fridges can also be provided if they are needed for medical reasons such as storing medication.

Room Visits

If you have particular requirements and feel that is important to visit the University prior to the start of your course and you need to discuss in greater detail, please contact disability@reading.ac.uk and we will help you arrange this in consultation with the Accommodation team.

Returning Students

If you are a 2nd or 3rd year student who has a disability or long-term medical need to live in university halls of residence and feel you are unable to live in privately rented accommodation, you should make contact with the Disability Advisory Service towards the end of the autumn term of your first year to discuss options.

Grants

If you need an en-suite room because of your disability or long-term medical condition the Disability Advisory Service can assist with a grant towards the cost of the ensuite element. You can read about this on Essentials.

Personal Care Assistance

Students who require daily personal care or assistance to live independently and who are based in the UK, should contact the Social Services team from their local authority to discuss the options available to them. Organising a support package can take between 6 and 12 months. It is vital therefore that you contact your local Social Services team as early as possible to allow the funding to be organised and the appropriate support package to be in place from your first day at University. International students should make sure that they have funding in place if they require care before starting university.
You can read more about this on Essentials.