My college have said I can't bring in my own laptop, and they can't give me one. What can I do?

kittydavies
kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
edited April 2021 in Education and skills
Hi I go to a college for people with ASD I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called FHH about a year ago. It causes me wrist Pain when I write. I have asked the college if my lsw could write for me when my wrist hurts. The college said that was a covid risk. I have asked if I could bring in my own laptop. They said it equipment has to belong to the college. So I asked if the college could provide a laptop for me to type I said I could get a doctor's note to move it was a medical cause. They said they didn't have the resources so I said do I just have to put up with the pain. They said sorry there is nothing we can do. That was In September. Since then I have mentioned to every member of staff that my wrists hurt. I offered a doctor's note they just say they don't need one they can see it's genuine. It's this fair or do I have rights?
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Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Community member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi there 

    I would think you have the right to request it as a reasonable adjustment 

    Do you have a disability advisor at the college? If not approach the head of the college 

    Could you record the lessons and write up at home ? 
  • Welshjayne2021
    Welshjayne2021 Community member Posts: 85 Contributor
    Hi @kittydavies.  The treatment you are receiving from the college is discriminatory.  You should contact the Equal Opportunities Commission. Surely there must be someone within the college that can help you.  Good luck.
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Hi I have asked to speak to the head and I'm always told ashes busy. I've got my mum to email her a letter I wrote and had no reply. How would I contact the Equal opportunities commission? The college is a special education provision so it's more like a school in terms of staff roles. @janer1967 @Welshjayne2021
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    edited April 2021
    They said it's college policy. The college is run by priory they are a large organisation and it's there policy. Was there reply when I asked. It's really frustrating. Thanks for the advice @woodbine
  • Welshjayne2021
    Welshjayne2021 Community member Posts: 85 Contributor
    Hi, the e-mail address for the EOC   www.eoc.gov.uk.  If i’ve got wrong l found it on Google.  Hope it helps.
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    @Welshjayne2021 thank you. Hopefully they can give me some advice
  • Welshjayne2021
    Welshjayne2021 Community member Posts: 85 Contributor
    Great.  Let me know how you get on.
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Community member Posts: 3,121 Connected
    EOC doesn’t exist no more. 


    Plus it wouldn’t of fitted this problem anyway. 
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Just wanted to wish you a warm welcome to the community @kittydavies, I hope the above replies have been helpful.
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    @Ross_Scope I have emailed scope I'm waiting for a reply. I'm really frustrated with my situation. id like to know what i can do to try and mak things change 
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    @MarkN88 thanks for that information
  • emmarenshaw
    emmarenshaw Community member Posts: 698 Empowering
    Welcome to the community @kittydavies I’m Emma, one of the Community Champions who are here to help and advise. Please keep us posted with how you are getting on and let me know if you need anything.
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    @emmarenshaw do I have rights in this situation I don't want to make a huge fuss i just don't want to handwright my work 

  • emmarenshaw
    emmarenshaw Community member Posts: 698 Empowering
    @kittydavies Yes, you do, they have to provide reasonable adjustments for you, I.e letting you bring your laptop in, they can’t let you hand write if it causes you pain.
  • Caz_Alumni
    Caz_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 621 Empowering
    edited April 2021
    Hi @kittydavies :)

    Sorry to hear about the situation with your college - I can well imagine how frustrated you must be feeling about this.

    As @emmarenshaw says, the college should be working towards making reasonable adjustments for you. It's quite surprising to hear that you're having such difficulty getting anywhere with them or speaking to somebody about this.

    Just as a follow-up to all the advice that you've already been given, I've also included a link to some further info on the Scope website about Reasonable adjustments in college and university education. That should be applicable to your circumstances, if your college is providing further education? 

    I realise also that you might have taken some of these steps already. So, if you want to have a read through that, see if it's useful to you, and come back to us if there's anything that's not clear or you have any more questions for us.
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    In September I explained why I wanted the adjustment made I said it was because of the condition I had explained about it. She is now the wellbeing officer. I've told I think every member of staff it feel like now. But nothing is changing. I don't know how to be listened to
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Thank you for your help so far
  • dfs050365
    dfs050365 Community member Posts: 36 Listener
    If your system is compatible with theirs I fail to see the problem, unless its to do with insurance.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,443 Championing
    This does seem strange @kittydavies. You're entitled to reasonable adjustments if you can prove you're disabled under the Equality Act 2010. 

    I can see that Caz sent you a link to the page on reasonable adjustments in further education from the Scope website. I'd encourage you to give it a read if you haven't already.

    We also have pages on making a formal complaint if you feel as though you're being discriminated against. If you make a formal complaint against the college, and this is not resolved, you may be able to complain to the Education and Skills Funding Agency, or the Office of the Independent Adjudicator

    You may also want to get in touch with:
  • kittydavies
    kittydavies Community member Posts: 13 Listener
    Thank you. My mum has spoken to the college again and said that I have to have a laptop and she's buying one this week (because my last one needs repairs so it's easier to buy a new one) she asked what laptops should she look at. They said now I can use one off the college laptops. It was actually the person I spoke to in September and she said she hadn't said any of it