Disabled students: Preparing for open days and visits

For disabled students, open days are an ideal way to experience the campus and facilities first-hand, and you may also be able to meet with the disability adviser or student support team to discuss how they can support your individual needs. Find their contact information on the university or college website – they will be happy to tell you more about how they can help you on the day.

To get the most out of your day, it's worth knowing what to expect and doing some preparation in advance – the checklist below will help you get started.

Read the complete UCAS guide to open days – including virtual events

• Book your place in advance – spaces fill up quickly. The university or college will send you more details about the event once you’ve registered.
• If you have accessibility requirements on the day, contact the disability support team or student support team to discuss any access requirements in advance (e.g. Blue Badge parking, a sign language interpreter or audio loops). There are often lots of leaflets and written information, so if you need a different format (e.g. digital), get in touch to find out what’s available – if it’s not currently available, your question might even prompt the team to make changes for the future!
• Download or print a campus map and familiarise yourself with the location of the important facilities. Make a note of what you want to visit – many universities also provide accessibility maps. If the university or college has more than one campus, check which you need to go to.
• Check the schedule for organised tours and talks – these usually run several times throughout the day but you may need to book a place in advance. If required, speak to the disability adviser or student support team to arrange communication aids and check the university has made the tour routes fully accessible. 
• If you are planning to use public transport, check where the railway station or bus stop is in relation to the campus, to help you work out how to complete your journey. Some providers operate a ‘park and ride’ system for open days.

You may also want to: 

• make an appointment to meet the disability adviser or student support team – why not make a list of questions to ask in advance? Check our guide to speaking to the student support team.
• make an appointment to speak to the course tutor if you would like to talk about teaching and assessment methods and facilities, and to discuss how your support needs might be accommodated. Again, it might be helpful to think about some questions in advance – why not reflect on your last learning experience. Did you encounter any barriers or challenges? Was there anything in particular you found helpful?
• check if accessible accommodation options are on the tour route, along with any other specific buildings or facilities you are keen to look at – the disability adviser will can tell you about this. If not, ask if you can view them separately
• ask if there will be any disabled student ambassadors available to speak to during the day, and if they would be happy to talk to you about their experiences of going to the university

Think about the practicalities before you set off:

• Wear something comfortable – you will be outside as well as inside. You won’t be expected to dress formally.
• Take a bag – there are often giveaways and leaflets.
• Lunch is usually available to purchase on campus, with most tastes and dietary requirements catered for – or feel free to take your own.

When you’re there:

• Make notes and take photos – to serve as a memory aid later on.
• Speak to the student ambassadors about their experiences. The student support team may be able to arrange for you to meet with their disabled student ambassadors on the day. You can also speak to students after the event on UniBuddy.
• Attend talks and tours of the department or faculty for the course you are interested in to get a feel for the environment and facilities.
• Visit the different accommodation options if you are planning to live on campus. If you are keen to see the accessible accommodation options, the student support team will be able to arrange this for you.
• Visit the library – it’s going to be an important part of your life! There will be a wealth of resources and study support options, so try to speak to a librarian if they're available.
• Get information about clubs and societies from the students' union. Check if there is a disabled students’ representative and if they're available to talk to you. You might want to check if the clubs or societies you are interested in will be accessible for you (e.g. an accessible location, support to access activities)?
• Visit the town or city if you have time after the event and consider what local facilities are available. If you don’t have time you can speak to current students on UniBuddy.

Don't be afraid to ask the awkward questions

Juan, 24, is a psychotherapy student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). He’s registered blind and has a guide dog.

I arrived at UCLAN’s open day with my sister. We flashed my blue badge at the parking attendant and he removed a cone from a disabled bay and waved us in. That struck me as a good sign: they obviously took disability seriously. Every question I asked that day got a positive response. The team could accommodate me and my dog, nothing was a problem. I had asked the same questions at a different university and the staff sucked their teeth and looked uncomfortable. That’s definitely a warning flag!"

Juan's top five tips for open days

1. Don’t be afraid to ask awkward questions. The answers will help you work out if the university is willing to go that extra mile to support you.
2. Go with somebody who knows you. It’s good to get a second opinion.  
3. Seek out useful people – disability services, student services, accommodation services – and say hello. If they know your face, it’s easier to ask for help when you start term.  
4. Talk to student ambassadors. The staff won’t know how noisy halls can be at 03:00, but the students will!
5. Go with your gut feeling. I felt like UCLAN wanted me there and I was right. It’s a university, but it feels like home. 

• Note down anything you didn’t manage to see or ask about – you can always contact the university or college afterwards with any further questions.
• Read any leaflets or handouts you picked up.
• Take time to think about what you’ve seen and how it compares to others you’ve visited (where relevant). Has the day affected your decisions at all? Did it feel like an environment where you would like to live and study?
• Speak to others about the day – it can help you reflect on what you’ve seen.