In this webinar learn from UK university practitioners about their approach to making accessibility improvements for students and staff with neurodivergent conditions including Autism, Asperger's, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette Syndrome and Synaesthesia
. Find out more on AbilityNet's website at: https://abilitynet.org.uk/webinars

1. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
HE/Public Sector update
Addressing Autism, Dyslexia, and
Neurodivergence in education and work
Rob Howe, University of Northampton
Jennie Dettmer, University of Bedfordshire
Helen Wickes, AbilityNet
Teresa Loftus, AbilityNet
Annie Mannion, AbilityNet (host)

2. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
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• Slides are available at www.slideshare.net/abilitynet
• Slides, a transcript and recording www.abilitynet.org.uk/Neurodivergence-Webinar
• Please use the Q&A window to ask questions
• Feedback form to post-webinar
Welcome

3. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
“We support people of any age,
living with any disability or
impairment, to use technology
to achieve their goals at home,
at work and in education.”
AbilityNet: A Digital World Accessible to All

4. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
• Rob Howe, Head of Learning Technology at The University of Northampton
• Jennie Dettmer, Acting Senior Professional and Academic Development
Tutor at the University of Bedfordshire
• Helen Wickes, Education and Workplace Relationship Manager, AbilityNet
• Teresa Loftus, Assessment Team Manager, AbilityNet
• Q&A
Today’s session

5. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
• @Mark
Poll. Who are you?
• Digital professional
• University professional
• Public sector professional (non university)
• Student with a neurodivergent condition
• A professional with a neurodivergent condition
• Student
• Other

6. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations
(PSBAR) recap
Helen Wickes, AbilityNet

7. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Public Sector Regulations Update
• Report was published by the monitoring body Dec 2021
• Key points found –
• Nearly all sites tested had accessibility issues
• Main issues found were lack of focus indicator and low
colour contrast.
• Accessibility statements not containing correct
information

8. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
AbilityNet Don’t Disable Me Series
• Lived experience training led by individuals
sharing their own and common barriers they
encounter at work, in study and day to day life.
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Mental Health
• Physical
• Neurodiverse

9. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
eLearning
• Introduction to
accessible teaching
& learning
• Accessibility & Me –
Lived experience
• Office 365 – step by
step guide

10. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Neurodivergence and Online Learning
through the Pandemic
Rob Howe, Head of Learning Technology at The University of Northampton
Jennie Dettmer, Acting Senior Professional and Academic Development Tutor
at the University of Bedfordshire

11. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Outline:
• Introduction to the session we ran
last year
• What is Neurodiversity and
neurodivergence?
• Key findings from the session
• Tips and recommendations for other
teams on supporting Neurodivergent
students based on our findings
• Call-to-action

12. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
About the session
We will share and explain the findings of a session hosted by ALT East
England on the 10th June 2021 where five students with neurodivergent
needs discussed the impact of Covid at their different institutions.

13. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
What is Neurodiversity?
• Originally created by Judy Singer to refer to autism
• Now used to refer to a range of differences: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, dyspraxia,
dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia and Tourette
syndrome
• Data shows an increasing number of neurodivergent students entering HE
• Under the Equalities Act (2010), these students should have a level playing field in
HE

14. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
What is Neurodivergence?
(Neurodivergent Cluster
adapted from Brain. HE, 2017)

15. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Key findings from the session
• Responsiveness of tutors
• Working with peers online
• Increased control over time and environment
• Ability to focus when studying online
• Lack of physical presence
• Changes to practical assessment adjustments

16. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Tips and recommendations
• Students should make institutions aware of their neurodivergence using recognised
channels.
• Institutions should ensure that all relevant staff are aware of students who have
declared specific needs.
• Students may have complex needs based on their neurodivergence and staff need to
be aware of the best ways to support them.
• Institutions need to anticipate that students may not have declared needs but
manage sensible adaptations which benefit the whole student cohort.

17. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Call-to-action
• Read the 3 posts from #ALTC blog regarding the event
• Further information regarding ALT East England
• Further information about the ALDinHE Neurodiversity/Inclusivity
Community of Practice including a link to the expression of interest form

18. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
References
Brain.HE. 2017. What is neurodiversity? [diagram]. Brain.HE. Available at:
http://www.brainhe.com/neurodiversity%20venn.jpg [Accessed 07 February 2022].

19. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Disabled Students' Allowances
support for neurodivergent students,
and reasonable adjustments in work
Teresa Loftus, AbilityNet

20. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Thank you

21. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Q&A
Please use the Q&A window
You’ll be directed to a feedback form at the end of the broadcast
Slides, transcripts and a recording of this webinar will be shared
via follow up email

22. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Accessibility and inclusion training courses
10% discount code: AbilityNetWebinar10 www.abilitynet.org.uk/training
• Wed 23 March Don’t Disable Me: Removing physical barriers digital
disability awareness training
• Wed 23 March How to develop accessible, inclusive collaboration &
teamwork
• Thurs 24 March NEW! Digital Accessibility Legislation
• Wed 30 March How to deliver and sustain accessible digital learning -
for HE and FE professionals

23. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
• Elearning modules for HE and FE: www.abilitynet.org.uk/elearning-
modules
• Download the free McNaught & AbilityNet HE & FE Maturity model:
www.abilitynet.org.uk/maturitymodel or enquire about a guided session
• Accessibility services: www.abilitynet.org.uk/digital-accessibility-he-and-fe
More HE & FE focused services

24. HE/Public Sector Update March 2022
Thank you
• AbilityNet newsletter: www.abilitynet.org.uk/newsletter
• Next free webinars: www.abilitynet.org.uk/webinars
• Covid and Reasonable Adjustments – Tuesday 26 April