What is a learning contract?

A learning contract is a document produced by the Disabled Student Support team at Sheffield Hallam University.  It recommends what reasonable adjustments should be put in place for a disabled student and where responsibilities lie for enacting them. It may include recommendations relating to learning, teaching, assessment, personal assistance, access or mobility etc.  A learning contract is a working document which acts as a guide to staff and reassures students that their support needs will be addressed appropriately. The learning contract also provides some background information regarding the nature of the student's disability which is intended to help staff implement the recommendations.

When is a learning contract drawn up?

A learning contract is drawn up as soon as possible following disclosure of a disability and once medical evidence of the disability has been provided.  Ideally the student will disclose prior to enrolment, during the application process, but a large proportion of students disclose whilst at university.  For this reason learning contracts are disseminated to faculties and departments throughout the year. When the student has agreed and signed that their learning contract is accurate, it is distributed (with the student's permission) to their Faculty Contact and the disability co-ordinators.

How long does a learning contract last for?

The learning contract is subject to review and can be amended and updated any time during the students studies if necessary i.e. if the student changes course, or if further recommendations are needed. If this situation arises, the student should book in for a guidance appointment with a member of the Disabled Student Support Team.

Please note that the learning contract is not a legal document, but, in keeping with the Partnership in Learning, reflects the University's commitment to supporting disabled students as far as is reasonably possible.

These appointments serve a number of purposes including discussing the amendments to learning contracts if support needs change, discussing the need for further funded support such as support workers, equipment sand software, talking through any difficulties the student is having with assessments, learning or teaching, discussing placement support, exploring disclosure issues, exploring risk issues, exploring other sources of support, and if appropriate appointments to see how students are getting on with their support.

There are Assistive Technology Resource (ATR) areas in each Learning Centre for all disabled students giving access to enabling software and equipment. All areas include

• desktop computers
• stand alone CCTV units for enlarging printed text
• 22" adjustable monitor with adjustable arm
• book-edge scanner with optical character recognition software (OCR) providing visual and auditory feedback.

Assistive software includes:

• Zoomtext (screen magnification)
• Jaws (screen reader). These  are networked through out the University campuses 
• Kurzweil 1000 (scanning software) is available on 1 computer in each Assistive Technology Resource.

Assistive technology includes:

• Inspiration and Read and Write

There is a helpdesk at each site where documentation, help and advice can be obtained on both computer hardware and software. Alternatively please contact 0114 225 3964

There is a wide variety of modes of assessment used within the University but they fall into two main categories

• time-constrained assessments - including formal examinations/phase tests
• coursework - including practical work, essays, presentations

There is no point in having an academic assessment unless it is done on equal terms. So where assessment modes may disadvantage some students, changes can be made to ensure fairness.
Some examples of changes made in the past are

• extensions to coursework deadlines
• extra time for examinations
• use of dictionary or computer in examinations
• an interpreter at the beginning of the exams
• exam papers put into Plain English
• papers in large print or Braille
• a scribe - someone to write down your answers as you dictate them
• a room on your own
• someone to read the questions aloud to you
• extra time to allow you to get up and move around

These and/or other changes must be negotiated and included in a Learning contract and If changes are recommended they cannot be amended without the specific approval of the Disabled Student Support Team and any changes should be included in a revised learning contract.

Please note that general examination arrangements are organised by the Faculty examinations officer in conjunction with the Exams and Regulatory Framework Team.