IT Support
IT Support for Disabled Students and Staff at UCL
What counts as a disability? |
At UCL we take very seriously our duty of care towards both students and staff and no-one either studying or working at UCL has to be formally registered disabled to receive IT support from the Disability IT Support Analyst.
The
advice offered on these pages is within the jurisdiction of IT support
only and if you require any other kind of support with your disability
you should initially contact your line manager if you are a member of
staff and The Disability Centre if you are a student. Students will find more information about the support for specific disabilities.
However, if you wish to know what counts as a disability according to the law, you will find the definition within The Equality Act which protects people with disabilities. The Act sets out the circumstances in which a person is "disabled" and it says you are 'disabled' if you have:
- a mental or physical impairment
- this has an adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
- the adverse effect is substantial
- the adverse effect is long-term (meaning it has lasted for 12 months, or is likely to last for more than 12 months or for the rest of your life).
Further information can be obtained from UCL's Student Disability Policy and the Disabilities Rights Commission.
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Temporary Disability |
From time to time any one of us may suffer from an disability which may affect us using a computer or mouse. For instance, a strained wrist or other short-term upper limb injury, may mean that we require the use of assistive technology for a limited period of time.
Staff
If you are a member of staff and you are suffering from a temporary condition affecting your work when using a computer, you should contact the Occupational Health Service who will give you medical advice in relation to the severity, or otherwise, of the condition and then may refer you to the Disability IT Support Analyst who will support you with your IT needs.
You should also involve your line manager so that s/he can support you should it be identified that you require assistive technology to alleviate your pain.
Students
If you are a student at UCL and experiencing discomfort when using a keyboard or mouse, however mild, you should contact The Disability Service who will initially advise you on the course of action that you can take. This may involve a medical assessment and/or an appointment with the Disability IT Support Analyst to support you with your IT needs and possible requirement for assistive technology.
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Workstation Related Issues |
Staff
If you are a member of staff and you are experiencing discomfort when using a keyboard or mouse, however mild, you should contact the Occupational Health Service who will give you medical advice in relation to the severity, or otherwise, of the condition and then may refer you to the Disability IT Support Analyst who will support you with your IT needs.
You should also involve your line manager so that s/he can support you should it be identified that you require assistive technology to alleviate your pain.
Students
If you are a student at UCL and experiencing discomfort when using a keyboard or mouse, however mild, you should contact The Disability Service who will initially advise you on the course of action that you can take. This may involve a medical assessment and/or an appointment with the Disability IT Support Analyst to support you with your IT needs.
Ergonomic and Workstation Health and Safety
For further information on preventative measures and what to do if you suspect you have a problem please click the link below.
