Blackfriars Hall > Reasonable Adjustments and Equality Impact

Reasonable Adjustments and Equality Impact

We are committed to ensuring our student accommodation is as inclusive, safe, and equitable as feasible in our small facilities. This page explains how we aim to embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in our housing, how inclusive design shapes our spaces and services, and how to request reasonable adjustments.

Our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment

Fair access: We welcome students of all backgrounds and identities, and we want to remove barriers so everyone can thrive.
Respect and dignity: We expect courtesy, respect, and an inclusive approach to shared living in our accommodation.
Proactive inclusion: When we design, refurbish, and operate our accommodation, we will do so with accessibility, neuroinclusion, and safety in mind.
Continuous improvement: We review feedback and data to improve policies, buildings, and services over time.

This page summarises our approach. If any discrepancy arises, our formal policies take precedence.

Inclusive Design at Blackfriars Hall

Inclusive design benefits everyone—whether or not you’re disabled—by making spaces usable, flexible, and safe.

See our inclusive design policy.

Reasonable Adjustments: What and How

Our policy on reasonable adjustments in our accommodation is set out here. We also invite all disabled students applying for our accommodation to look at our entry in the Oxford Colleges’ Access Guide.

What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes to policies, practices, or the physical environment to remove or reduce barriers for disabled students or those with long term health conditions. Adjustments are considered case by case, balancing your needs with feasibility and building constraints.

Examples could include:

Allocation to an accessible or quieter room/area
Provision of a room near shared facilities or lifts
Furniture swaps (e.g., orthopaedic chair, risers, adjustable bed height)
Visual/vibrating alert systems; doorbells; grab rails; shower stools
Permission for an assistance animal; fridges for medication; parcel handling support
Flexible contract start to align with medical needs or works completion.

How to Request an Adjustment

Tell us what you need by emailing our Disability Lead, senior.tutor@bfriars.ox.ac.uk, and the Disability Advisory Service (https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/disability/accessingsupport)
Share what would help you live safely and comfortably.
Include supporting information (if you have it): a clinician’s letter or a university disability adviser recommendation helps us act quickly. If you don’t have documentation yet, please still contact us, and we will advise next steps.
We will assess your request and respond
- Acknowledgement will typically be within 2 working days
- Decision/next steps: typically within 10 working days, depending on whether further information is required.
We implement your request and confirm
We will agree timescales with you (e.g., before move in, or within an agreed window). If something cannot be delivered as requested, we will explore equivalent alternatives and explain why.

Confidentiality: Your information is handled sensitively in line with our data protection and privacy policies and only shared with relevant staff who need it to provide your accommodation or support.

Room Features and Common Adjustments

We aim to match you with a room that meets your needs. Availability varies by building, so please apply early.

Potential features

Step free access, lift access, proximity to accessible bathrooms
Adapted bathrooms (level access shower, grab rails, shower seat)
Visual/vibrating alarms and doorbells; beacon enabled fire alerts
Enhanced lighting; blackout blinds; low glare bulbs on request
Ergonomic furniture; mattress options; bed height adjustments
Quiet location rooms where feasible; reduced scent cleaning products on request
In room minifridge for medication; lockable storage; sharps disposal plan
Space for mobility equipment charging and storage; parking by arrangement

For neurodivergent or mental health needs

Quieter allocations where feasible; predictable maintenance schedules
Clear house rules and visual guides; reduced stimuli options (e.g., task lighting)
Flexible communication options (email over phone, written summaries)

Allocation, Prioritisation and Confidentiality

Fair process: We allocate rooms using transparent criteria that prioritise health, disability, safety, and accessibility needs.
Evidence led: Decisions are guided by credible medical or disability adviser recommendations; we’ll help you obtain these if needed.
Confidential: Only staff who need to implement your accommodation will see your information.
Appeals and reviews: If you disagree with a decision, you can request a review by writing to our Equality and Diversity Lead, Fr Richard Finn OP (Richard.finn@english.op.org). We aim to respond within 10 working days.

Emergency Planning (PEEPs)

If you would need assistance to evacuate, we will create a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) with you. This might include refuge points, vibrating or visual alarms, buddy systems, or alternative evacuation routes. We review PEEPs annually or when your circumstances change.

We ask that you please let us know as early as you can of any condition you have where additional evacuation support would be needed or useful.

Funding and Financial Considerations

Some adjustments are delivered at no cost to you.
Where specialist equipment or significant alterations are required, we will discuss options and potential funding routes (e.g., university hardship/support funds or external schemes).
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) typically relate to study support rather than housing, but our team can signpost you to the right advisers.

Feedback, Complaints and Support

Your feedback helps us improve.

Share feedback on our accommodation or accommodation policies: bursary@bfriars.ox.ac.uk
Raise a concern or complaint: See our Complaints Procedure.
Wellbeing and safety: For urgent concerns, contact the Blackfriars Emergency Telephone or emergency services. For non urgent support, reach out to the Senior Tutor (as Disability Lead), Welfare team, or Bursary.

Equality Impact Monitoring in our Accommodation

Please see further information on our equality impact monitoring processes here.

Accessibility Statement

We aim to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards. This page is designed with:

Clear headings, descriptive links, and alt text for images
Strong colour contrast and keyboard?friendly navigation
Plain?language summaries and expandable details

If you experience any accessibility issues, please contact development.director@english.op.org. We will acknowledge within 2 working days and aim to resolve issues promptly. Alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read) are available on request.