Information for Students with Disabilities

The Faculty of Philosophy strives to treat all students equally. Individual student needs are taken into account, and necessary adaptations and assistance are provided within the resources available. The Faculty's Disability Officer is Sarah Hepworth, who can help with general queries, coordination and access.

Oxford University is committed to enabling students with disabilities to participate as fully as possible in student life, below are a list of services and resources available:

Documentation and accessibility of course content

We aim to make central Faculty information available in a variety of formats and encourage all our teaching staff to make reading lists and essay questions available in advance in paper and flexible electronic formats. Faculty administrative staff are also able to arrange for the conversion of material to alternative formats on request.

Logic presents certain difficulties for those with print-disabilities. Introduction to Logic is optional for the majority of philosophy courses, but for those who wish to take it, set material has been recorded, and examination papers can be converted to braille. Similarly, adjustments are possible for those taking the joint schools of Mathematics and Philosophy and Physics and Philosophy. For further information please contact the Faculty's Disability Officer or the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Lectures and classes

The majority of Philosophy lectures and classes are held at the Philosophy Centre or the Examination Schools.

For access information about the Philosophy Centre, visit the building's Access Guide. Hearing loops are installed in most teaching rooms. Lectures are not normally amplified, but can be arranged on request. Please contact the Disability Officer for further guidance. For access information about the Examination Schools, visit the building's access guide. Hearing loops are available in the Examination Schools, and lectures can be amplified in a number of rooms. For more specific information, please contact Senior Facilities Manager Tom Mitchell. All our lecturers are informed of the University’s guidelines on making lectures inclusive, though it may be helpful for a lecturer to be reminded of any specific requirements. If you do not wish to discuss your needs with the individual lecturer, you may like to flag them to the Disability Officer, who will try to ensure that the lecture is presented in a way that meets your needs. Where handouts are available for individual lecture series, we can arrange for them to be available in advance or produced in alternative formats. It is also possible for lectures to be recorded, or for some students to use note-takers, by putting in place a Student Support Plan. Students wishing to discuss their needs should contact the Disability Advisory Service for further information.  

Tutorials

In the collegiate University, tutorials are the responsibility of your college, who will endeavour to support your needs. If tutorials are arranged for you at another college, your college will try to ensure that necessary adjustments are made there. However, if you have any concerns relating to tutorial support, you may also contact the Faculty's Disability Officer, the Undergraduate Administrator or the Disability Advisory Service.

Examinations

Special provision in examinations (such as the use of a computer, a reader, or extra time) may be made by arrangement between your college and the University Proctors. Students wishing to discuss their needs should contact the Disability Advisory Service for further information.