PULSE
WELLBEING EDITION
SPOTLIGHT ON
DR PAULA ROW Faculty Disability Co-ordinator
“As a Disability Coordinator, I help students with disabilities such as learning difficulties, mental health conditions or physical disabilities, to access student support teams across campus and to obtain the help and support that they need. This will take the form of a tailored support plan, which could include provision of reasonable adjustments such as extra time in exams, deadline extensions, a caseworker, a mentor, lab assistant or notetaker.
SWANSEA STUDENTS ARE HELPING TO ADDRESS BARRIERS IN HEALTHCARE PROVISION WHILE WORKING TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE OF THE NEEDS OF THE DEAF COMMUNITY.
swansea.ac.uk/ student-support-services new routines and learn new skills, like laundry and cooking, and find different ways to overcome the things you find challenging. 2. Talk with friends and family about the changes you may experience when you arrive. Get help to practise Every student has the right to feel supported during their time at university and we offer a range of options to suit individual needs. We have online resources, services and workshops, support sessions and specialist support for students with long-term difficulties. SUPPORT Preparation is key to settling into university quickly so be sure that you: 1. Tell us about your disability, learning difficulties, mental health, ASC or medical condition as soon as possible so that we can offer our full support from application through to graduation. We can help you access: • Additional funding • Adjustments and assistive technology • Adapted accommodation • Personal care support
British Sign Language (BSL) is used by over 150,000 people in the UK and is the fourth most commonly used language. However, many people are still unable to access essential information and services in BSL, including in healthcare, which can negatively impact the physical and mental health of deaf people in Wales. Deaf people are already at twice the risk of mental health problems and find it extremely difficult to get help as services rarely provide accessible information or culturally relevant services. To help address these barriers, Swansea students have been working to increase their knowledge, skills and experience of the needs of the deaf community, as well as gain a broader understanding of deaf culture. Their aim is to provide a higher standard of care and support, working to build a more inclusive and effective health service for deaf people and their families.
“There is also a wide range of support services available through the Wellbeing Team - without the need for medical evidence - including short-term mental health intervention, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) support and counselling as well as open-access support services at the University, such as the Listening Service, Bereavement Support and Togetherall. There’s plenty of help available - don’t be afraid to ask.”
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
• Graduate Entry Medicine students are completing a 6-week tailored BSL taster course to learn the alphabet, basic signs and structures, as well as medically-related signs and conversations to be able to support BSL users in a range of healthcare settings, from GP appointments to emergency care • Nursing staff and students are developing an e-learning deaf awareness package to equip healthcare professionals with the skills to support deaf people through their healthcare journey, including top tips and best practice guides Find out more about some of the challenges faced by deaf
STATE-OF-THE-ART TEACHING AND RESEARCH FACILITIES GAIN ON-CAMPUS PLACEMENT EXPERIENCE
BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
WORK WITH REAL PATIENTS USING TOP-OF-THE-RANGE EQUIPMENT
people in Wales in the report by
Deaf People Wales: Hidden Inequality
swansea.ac.uk/hwa
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