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

kittydavies

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?

janer1967

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

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

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

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

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

@Welshjayne2021 thank you. Hopefully they can give me some advice

Welshjayne2021

Great.  Let me know how you get on.

MarkM88

EOC doesn’t exist no more. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/equal-opportunities-commission

Plus it wouldn’t of fitted this problem anyway. 

Ross_Alumni

Just wanted to wish you a warm welcome to the community @kittydavies, I hope the above replies have been helpful.

kittydavies

@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

@MarkN88 thanks for that information

emmarenshaw

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

@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

@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

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

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

Thank you for your help so far

dfs050365

If your system is compatible with theirs I fail to see the problem, unless its to do with insurance.

Tori_Scope

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:

• Disability Rights UK's student helpline 0330 995 0414, or email students@disabilityrightsuk.org
• Equality Advisory Support Service's helpline 0808 800 0082, or use their live chat

kittydavies

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