(Anyone can now sign this petition! you don't need to be part of the UOD)

PLEASE ALSO SIGN and SHARE THESE IMPORTANT PETITIONS: https://www.change.org/keepUODbusesfree

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeoPueaGVaVC40GxbNb0MdIkNrzDSx2keHfCfSnCmubZ9le3A/viewform (this is an important petition to stop staff redundancies)

At the start of this academic year (24/25) University of Derby has removed extensions and extra time in exams for students diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, hypermobility and all other disabilities that would normally get this support. This is putting immense stress on students who may already have been struggling academically.

Note, most importantly this goes against the Equality Act (2010) where institutions are legally required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled people.

This change in policy was not communicated clearly to anyone in the university including the students it affects, this is why you may not have heard about it until now. While returning students who had accessed this support in previous academic years still have their extra time and extensions, all 1st years and new students are not receiving it anymore. If this action goes on gradually each year no one will have extensions or extra time regardless of whether they need it.

The University of Derby, specifically the student services department, claim that there is no need for extra time as they are providing other support; like DSA(disabled student allowance) which includes a study skills tutors to encourage a mind set that "disabilities can be cured if people just manage their time better".

Therefore, as many these alternatives are insufficient this petition is pushing for the University of Derby to reconsider and reverse this new discriminatory policy which denies student access to extensions (AEDS) and extra time in exams. This must be acted upon quickly to stop the distress this is causing students.

If you are someone that has been affected by any of the changes made in student services and you have a spare 5 minutes please could you also fill out this survey: https://forms.gle/f3fzqVTVDn3PP7AM7

And please find support available through the student union as well as the independent disabled students network: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JF6RX944rG81lzcuAvnLoU