What support is available?
Support for disabled students is available at a University-level from the Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC), as well as at the College-level from a variety of staff and student contacts. As of January 2022, around 20% of students at the University of Cambridge had disclosed a disability, including:
- specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia and dyspraxia)
- physical/mobility impairments (including people with upper limb disorder/WRULD)
- sensory impairments (eg hearing, visual)
- mental health conditions (eg depression, anxiety disorder)
- long-term health conditions (eg cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV, diabetes, epilepsy)
- Asperger syndrome, autism and ADHD
The College and the University have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students diagnosed with any of the conditions listed above. Therefore, we encourage disabled applicants to get in touch with the ADRC and the College as soon as possible to discuss any requirements you have, whether you are a prospective student, an applicant, an offer holder or a current student.
Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre
The Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) at the University of Cambridge offers guidance, information and support to prospective students, applicants and current students with any impairment/disability or health condition. Check the ADRC website or contact the Centre to find out about the full range of support and resources available.
Email: disability@admin.cam.ac.uk
Telephone: 01223 332301
Accommodation
Wolfson has accommodation suitable for students with accessibility or other special requirements, for example ground floor rooms, rooms with an en-suite bathroom, or equipped with a private kitchen in case of food allergies. Please contact our Deputy Senior Tutor (Welfare and Wellbeing) Tania Davies, who serves as the College's Disability Liaison Officer for students.
Applications
Prospective students have the option to disclose any disabilities in their application form to receive targeted information and support. Guidance is available for undergraduate applicants and postgraduate applicants, as well as information for incoming students (after receiving an offer).
Building access
The University's Building Access Guide contains practical access information regarding Departments, Faculties, Research Centres, Institutes, Museums and other facilities.
College site
Wolfson College has a main entrance and car park on Barton Road, and a rear entrance from Selwyn Gardens. There is one Porters' Lodge at the front of the College, which has level access. Wolfson College accommodation is all on the main College site.
The Dining Hall and College Offices are on the first floor and there is a lift giving access. There is also a lift to the reading room in the College Library.
Further information regarding travelling to and around the College site, as well as accessing College buildings, accommodation blocks and common areas, can be found via the AccessAble website. Separate advice has been compiled on accessing the College Library
- Distances to local amenities
Nearest GP surgery Newnham Walk Surgery 0.7 miles Nearest ATM Newnham Road Shell Station 0.7 miles Nearest shops Co-op convenience store & Derby Store Grantchester Street 0.4 miles Nearest chemist Eltisley Avenue 0.6 miles City centre 1.3 miles - Distance to main academic sites
Sidgewick site 0.5 miles West Cambridge site 2 miles Downing/New Museums site 1.5 miles Department of Chemistry 1.2 miles Department of Engineering 0.9 miles Judge Business School 1 miles Mill Lane/Silver Street 0.9 miles Addenbrooke's Hospital 3 miles University Library 0.8 mile
College support
Within the College, support for students with disabilities is managed by the Deputy Senior Tutor (Welfare and Wellbeing) Tania Davies, who serves as the College's Disability Liaison Officer for students.
Applications for reasonable adjustments, such as for examinations, are managed by the the Tutorial Office Manager, Ms Rajashree Dhanaraj, with support from the College Tutors and Directors of Studies.
Current students with concerns or questions about support for students with disabilities may also contact the Welfare Officer and/or the Disabilities Rep of the Wolfson College Students' Association' (WCSA).
Financial support
Funds are available for Home (UK) students with disabilities through the Government-financed Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). There is also a range of other funds that the Cambridge ADRC can help students apply to, including the International Disabled Students' Fund for overseas students.
Teaching & learning support
The Accessibility & Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) is the first port of call for any students with questions about teaching and learning support. The ADRC provides advice, assessment and support in the form of resources, equipment, and assistance in accessing funding.
The Cambridge University Students' Union (SU) also offers representation and support for disabled students through their Disabled Students Campaign, which has a mailing list, forum and a buddy system, as well as many resources and guides.
For information about access, workspaces and borrowing at the Wolfson College Library, please visit our Support for disabled users page.
Student groups
There are also a number of student led social groups for disabled students that organise gatherings and events throughout the year.