This section covers education providers in Wolverhampton, including learning English for adults (WEFA), and Learn Direct, there is also information on the Disabled Students organisation (SKILL) and the Disabled Students Allowance for college students (DSA).
Education colleges fall under the requirements of part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act, for more information on your rights, go to the Legal section.
The adult education service runs course across the city, but many are run from their main site at Old Hall Street. Since most of this site has been built in the last few years, disabled access is fairly good. The college has suitable adapted equipment like computers and software, hearing loops etc.
As well as reasonable physical access, the Adult Education Service provides Learning support for all students - they can help you with planning a career, and with learning and course work.
They also offer some disability specific support, such as adapted learning materials, support for students with dyslexia, sign language and other interpreting services, help with reading and writing, etc You will be assessed for disability support (such as a note-taker) in the registration period.
The Adult Education service runs many different courses from flower arranging and pottery to languages – including British Sign Language - and work-based courses. You can find out more by looking at their course guide, available online http://www.aes.wolverhampton.gov.uk/search.html
or from the college or local libraries.
Students doing course in basic skills, or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), can study for free.
All other students must pay a registration fee, of £6.00.
Other fees vary depending on the course, but if you receive:
Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit you only pay the £6 fee.
People over 60, can also pay a reduced fee.
For people on low incomes, help with fees or childcare expenses may be available from the Access Fund – ask at the college.
Adult Education Service, Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 3AU,
Phone (01902) 558180, Minicom (01902) 558176, Fax: (01902) 558183
E-mail: info@old-hallstreet.org.uk
Website: http://www.old-hallstreet.org.uk
The University offers a wide variety of learning from degrees, and professional qualifications, to shorter courses.
People who wish to get a place on one of the University’s full-time degree or diploma programmes must go through the UCAS system.
You need a UCAS directory and an application form, you can get these from schools and colleges or the Wolverhampton Higher Education Shop.
The Higher Education Shop is a good place to start for help and advice on what courses are available, and how to apply for them.
Based in the Lichfield Street in the city centre, the shop is wheelchair accessible. If you need a sign language interpreter, you must book your appointment in advance.
You can drop in and look around, or make an appointment with an advisor. They can also give advice and information via the phone or email.
Opening times are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and most Saturdays 10am to 1pm.
The Higher Education Shop, 62-68 Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DJ
Tel: (01902) 321032
Fax: (01902) 321163
Email: heshop@wlv.ac.uk
The University has a wide range of support to ensure disabled students can access it’s facilities:
The Student Enabling Centre (SEC), offers a central access point to a range of specialist services and support, covering everything from financial matters to study aid, they will assist you in breaking down disabling barriers that are preventing you from taking part in university life on an equal basis with non-disabled students.
If you are looking for support, you can book an appointment for an introductory non-specialist meeting with the Disability Administrator, Emma Uden. To do this, either visit the reception in the Student Services Gateway Facility, ground floor of MB Building, University of Wolverhampton, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SB or call 01902 32 1020, fax 01902 32 1021 or Email: gateway@wlv.ac.uk
A Disability Unit has been created to offer advice and support to disabled students. The Unit can provide a range of services including:
Arranging for an assessment of your support needs, Liaison with Special Needs Tutors and other University staff to help to set up your support, Note-takers, General Facilitators, Personal Care support
You can book an appointment for an introductory non-specialist meeting with the Disability Administrator, Emma Uden. To do this, either visit the reception in the Student Services Gateway Facility, ground floor of MB Building, University of Wolverhampton, Stafford Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SB or call 01902 32 1020, fax 01902 32 1021 or Email: gateway@wlv.ac.uk
The Communication Support Unit offers practical support to deaf students, including BSL/English interpreters, Lip-speakers, Note-takers trained to support deaf people,
English support tutorials, technical tutorials and study skills sessions taught by tutors who use BSL.
Blind and visually impaired students have access to reading services, Braille books, guide dog facilities.
Communication Support Unit (MB106c), University of Wolverhampton, Stafford Street,
Wolverhampton, WV1 1SB, Tel: 01902 322325, Fax: 01902 321507, Minicom: 01902 322327, Email: CSU@wlv.ac.uk, SMS: 07870446124
A Dyslexia Unit has been set up to offer advice and support to students who are, or think they may be Dyslexic. The Dyslexia unit can provide a range of services including:
Dyslexia screening and assessment, Assessments of support needs, Note Takers, Library Facilitators, and One-to-one specialist Dyslexia Tuition.
The College is spilt into 3 main campuses - Wellington Road, Paget Road, and Metro One at Bilston Street in the city centre. Some courses are based at the Newhampton Centre on Dunkley Street.
Disabled access is varied, as some of the buildings are quite old, but all sites have accessible toilets and ground floor access, and they should be able to offer the course you want in an accessible location, as required by the DDA.
To apply for a course, you should contact College Direct (01902 836000).
Or you can go to the Student Services of any campus - based on the ground floor of each Campus close to the main entrances and accessible by wheelchair.
The college Learning Support Team will work with you to look at mobility and access issues, or other support which may be required in order for you to access the course.
The Learning Support Co-ordinators can be contacted at:
Paget Road Campus:
Tel: (01902) 317555 Minicom: (01902) 312063 Fax: (01902) 423070
Wellington Road Campus:
Tel: (01902) 821072 Minicom: (01902) 821821 Fax: (01902) 821101
They can provide a range of accessibility services including:
Reader/writer support for people with physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties
Help with getting around, including help with transport arrangements
Communicator support for deaf or hearing impaired students
Personal Care support (toileting, washing, dressing, etc)
Exam support including reader/writer support and liaison with external bodies
Adaptation of learning materials
Supported work experience
WEFA is a local organisation of professionals and volunteers who offer English classes for people whose first language is not English. They work with a wide variety of people from lots of different countries.
They offer part-time day or evening classes as well as Home Tuition.
Contact - Bruce Parsons (01902) 555231
Learndirect has been set up to provide employment related training to people over 16 who do not have many or any skills or qualifications, and do not want to use traditional forms of learning.
They offer courses like Reading and Writing and number skills, using computers, website design and management, Business Management etc.
Learning takes place online at various centres around the country.
Your Learndirect centre can help you get started on your course and will provide you with access to a computer so you can work through the course.
To find out more about what courses are on offer, contact the Wolverhampton Learndirect centre:
Newhampton Centre, City of Wolverhampton College, Newhampton Road East,
Wolverhampton, WV1 4AP
Tel: (01902) 821911
Skill is a national charity promoting education, training and employment opportunities for disabled people over 16.
They provide a free information and advice service for individual disabled people on overcoming financial and physical barriers to study, training or work.
They produce over 30 Information Booklets providing advice on applying to college, financial assistance, examination arrangements, disclosing disability, looking for work etc.
Telephone 020 7657 2337
or Textphone 0800 068 2422
or email info@skill.org.uk.
The Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is for students studying a degree.
Local education authorities (LEAs) can pay DSAs to part-time and full-time undergraduate students and certain postgraduate students who can show that they have a disability, medical condition or specific learning difficulty which affects their ability to study.
People studying with the Open University should go through the Open University’s own DSA system.
Students taking Health Care courses like Nursing or Dentistry cannot get the DSA, but may be eligible for an NHS bursary. You can get more information about the NHS Bursary Scheme, in the Department of Health's guide ‘Financial Help for Health Care Students’ or from the website at
www.doh.gov.uk/hcsmain
The DSA helps to cover extra costs you may have to take a course, as a direct result of your disability. The allowances can help with the cost of a non-medical personal helper (like a note taker, reader, or sign language interpreter, or extra tuition for people with conditions like dyslexia), major items of specialist equipment (such as a laptop computer, software, voice recorder etc) travel and other course-related costs ( such as Braille paper, audio tapes).
When you fill in the Higher Education Application Form PN1, the Local Education Authority will be able to tell that you have a disability; they will then contact you to fill in a DSA form.
If you do not disclose a disability on the PN1 form, and want to apply for the DSA once you are on the course, you should contact your local education authority, or the Disability Advisor at the college you attend, and they will take you through the application process.You will need to provide proof of disability need, and you will be sent for an assessment.