Student accessibility

Explore tools and support services that could help you study more effectively and find out how the university is working towards greater digital accessibility of teaching and learning materials.

Making studying easier

Support for your studies

Accessibility at ~UoN

Making studying easier - available tools, resources and spaces

If you want to have your course materials in a different format, or want to customise your browser to make viewing web pages better for you, then you'll find a range of things here to help.

Customising your browser or device

Customise your browser

There are lots of ways to personalise your browser to make it easier for you to access and read web content:

Changing the colours to suit your preferences
Zooming or magnifying text
Having web pages read out to you
Simplifying pages to reduce distractions
Using your keyboard to navigate
Using live captions for video and audio

Here are some of the browser tools you can use:

Google Chrome tools Microsoft Edge tools Safari settings

Customise your device

You can also make use of a number of tools and settings on your device to help make your life easier, such as changing screen modes, colour contrast, zoom and magnification, and fine tuning audio settings.

The links below can help you to find out more:

Microsoft accessibility features and tools Android accessibility overview – customise your android device Apple Mac - getting started with accessibility features Apple iPhone - acessibility features

Course materials in different formats

If you prefer to have your course materials in a different format – an audio file you can listen to, or a Word document you can personalise to your preferences, here are some tools that can help you to do that:

SensusAccess – this file conversion tool is provided by the university and can be used to convert files into other formats e.g. ebook, audio book, text documents, and even Braille and talking books. This tool can already be found in Moodle next to some of your course materials.
Read Aloud - Microsoft Word (Windows), Microsoft Word (Mac), Apple Mac and Adobe Acrobat have ‘Read Aloud’ options that you can use to have documents read out to you.

Tools for reading, writing and note-taking

Take a look at some of the tools available to help you navigate and read through course materials more easily:

Working with documents – a resource created by our Libraries Learning Development team to help you navigate all types of documents.
Immersive reader in Microsoft Word (Windows and Mac) and PowerPoint - customise how documents look whilst you’re reading them – change the font, line spacing, page colour, language and more.
Read Aloud – Microsoft Word (Windows), Microsoft Word (Mac), Apple Mac and Adobe Acrobat have ‘Read Aloud’ options that you can use to have documents read out to you.
Speech to text or dictation features – write your notes or assignments using your voice:

Spaces with assistive technology and equipment

Students with a Disability Support Plan are eligible for Enhanced Library Support which provides access to bookable Assistive Technology Rooms with a range of technology and equipment to make studying easier.

This includes magnifiers, adjustable lighting, wrist rests, overlays and much more.

These spaces are available at:

Djanogly LRC (Jubilee)
George Green LIbrary (University Park)
Greenfield Medical Library (Medical School)
Hallward Library (University Park)
James Cameron-Gifford Library (Sutton Bonington)

Accessing support for your studies

Academic support

If you’re looking for support, resources and guidance around your studies and using the tools and resources available to you, we can help.

Study skills – academic writing, referencing, revision, preparing for exams plus finding and evaluating library and other research resources
Digital skills – explore the digital tools and skills you’ll use during and after your time at university
Moodle – find out how to make the best of Moodle for accessing module materials and resources, submitting assessments and more

Support is also available from:

Academic Language and Communication Skills (ALACS)Researcher Academy

Disability support

We are here to help you if you have a disability, mental health difficulty, long-term medical condition, autistic spectrum condition, or a specific learning difference such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or ADHD.

Disability Support Services Enhanced Library Support service Assistive technology and software

Wellbeing support

The university provides information about how you can take care of your mental health whilst studying as well as information about specialist services if you, or someone you know, is struggling.

Student wellbeing

Accessibility and the University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is committed to supporting all students in reaching their full potential. Part of this commitment is to ensure your learning experiences meet accessibility requirements. This means that learning resources will be designed to present as few barriers as possible for disabled students.

Accessible resources benefit all users, especially those users with disabilities. Our goal is to make your university experience as accessible as possible, continually improving the support we offer as best practice and technology evolve.