SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITY ACT: WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS’?

Abstract

This paper reports on a study investigating the effectiveness of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) in university libraries, focusing specifically on the extent to which the requirement to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ influences disability provision. The research aimed to evaluate the current provision for disabled students and to analyse the factors that influenced the current state. The results indicated that all libraries were aware of SENDA and had made significant implementations, including assigning a disability representative, making physical adjustments to the building and purchasing assistive technology. However, the quality of provision was inconsistent across the sector, resulting in disabled students enjoying equal opportunities within one library, but not within another. Reasons for this included a lack of institutional financial support requiring a library to fund adjustments itself, an inability to find the time to carry out the work involved, and the physical state of the building prohibiting certain adjustments being made. Recommendations to improve this situation include: improving guidance by advertising examples of best practice and forming support networks; instigating a programme of monitoring by authority personnel to ensure compliance and consistency; and assigning an assistive technology officer who is equipped to deal with this growing area.