The UK Equality Act 2010 requires Awarding Bodies to ensure that centres fulfil their obligations to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled candidate would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking an assessment. Reasonable adjustments and access arrangements are changes that centres can be asked to make if your disability puts you at a substantial disadvantage compared to others who are not disabled, so that you can fully participate in your CELTA or DELTA course.
Reasonable adjustments and access arrangements are designed to support candidates who face a substantial disadvantage due to their condition. This includes, but is not limited to, candidates with physical disabilities that affect mobility or dexterity; learning difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism spectrum disorders; mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression or PTSD; sensory impairments such as blindness or deafness.
You have the right to request reasonable adjustments or access arrangements on application, during the interview process, or at any stage during a course. It is preferable to request adjustments at an early stage because late requests can create challenges for centres to provide the necessary arrangements in a timely manner.
Centres create their own individual policies and procedures, so you should be prepared to:
- familiarise yourself with the centre’s policies and make your request in writing, either by emailing the appropriate person or filling out specific forms
- prepare the documentation, including medical reports or letters from healthcare professional, that verifies your need for reasonable adjustments
- clearly articulate your needs and the type of support that may be helpful to you
- engage in an open and collaborative discussion, working with the centre to find reasonable adjustments that are feasible in the context of the course
- agree to a support plan in writing and maintain regular communication with the tutor who is responsible for implementing the plan
Reasonable adjustments and access arrangements will vary depending on your particular needs. What is a reasonable thing to ask for depends on your requirements, how practicable the changes are, the size of the centre and the resources available. If you have had previous adjustments made in another educational setting which have proved effective, you may wish to discuss whether the centre can provide similar support.
You should first attempt to resolve the issue informally by discussing your concerns with your tutor, providing details of the requested adjustments and why you believe they have not been adequately applied. If you remain dissatisfied with the response, you should follow your centre’s complaints policy in initiating a formal complaint. If the issue is not resolved, this may be followed by a complaint to Cambridge English.