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Blackfriars Hall > Policies and Codes of Practice > Accommodation Policies > Reasonable Adjustments Policy (Accommodation)

Reasonable Adjustments Policy (Accommodation)

Applies to:
All students applying for, or living in, Blackfriars Hall accommodation at 16–17 St John Street and 33 St Giles, Oxford.

Approved by: Blackfriars Hall Disability Lead, Welfare Lead, and Bursary
Next Review: Annually, or upon structural or regulatory changes

(Last reviewed:  February 2026)

  1. Purpose of the policy

Blackfriars Hall is committed to ensuring that its accommodation is as accessible and inclusive as possible for all students, while recognising the physical constraints of its small residential sites. This policy sets out how students can request reasonable adjustments, how Blackfriars Hall assesses and implements such adjustments, the limits imposed by existing building layouts and heritage constraints, and how Blackfriars works with the University of Oxford Disability Advisory Service (DAS).

  1. Accommodation context

Blackfriars Hall operates two small accommodation sites:

  1. 16–17 St John Street – Shared communal accommodation with bedrooms over multiple floors accessed via stairs; no accessible rooms; not suitable for wheelchair users.
  2. 33 St Giles – Shared accommodation with a single accessible bedroom with:
    • Step-free access from street level
    • Wider doorway
    • Adapted bathroom facilities
    • Space to accommodate certain mobility or sensory impairments
      However, this room is still not suitable for users of full?time wheelchairs or large powered mobility equipment, due to location on the 3rd floor of the building with lift access only.

Due to building age and listed status, neither accommodation site can currently be adapted to provide full wheelchair-accessible living spaces.

 

  1. Principles Underpinning the Policy

3.1 Commitment to inclusion

Blackfriars aims to enable disabled students to participate fully in residential life by making reasonable and practicable adjustments.

3.2 Compliance with legislation

The policy aligns with:

  • Equality Act 2010
  • University of Oxford’s Common Framework for Supporting Disabled Students
  • GDPR principles for handling health and disability information

3.3 Proportionality and feasibility

Adjustments will be provided wherever reasonable, taking into account:

  • The physical constraints of small, shared buildings
  • Safety requirements
  • The impact on the broader resident community
  • Heritage/environmental restrictions

3.4 Confidentiality

All disability?related information is handled on a strict need?to?know basis and stored securely in keeping with Blackfriars’ policies on data protection, privacy, and confidentiality.

 

  1. Declaring disabilities and requesting adjustments at application stage

4.1 Letting Blackfriars know about your disability

Because accommodation options are limited, not all forms of our accommodation may suitable, and only one room is considered accessible, applicants are asked to declare relevant disabilities and needs as early as possible on application, typically:

  • Via the University Disability Advisory Service (DAS), and
  • Directly to the Blackfriars Hall Disability Lead

This ensures timely assessment and planning.

4.2 Required documentation

Students should provide:

  • A DAS Student Support Plan (if available),
  • Medical or professional evidence relevant to accommodation needs,
  • Clear information about physical, sensory, or cognitive requirements.

4.3 Late declarations

Blackfriars will consider late declarations but cannot guarantee that suitable accommodation will be available once allocations are complete.

 

  1. Assessment of Reasonable Adjustments

The following individuals will normally consider requests unless a student asks for their SSP not to be shared/disclosed: the Blackfriars Hall Disability Lead (primary decision-maker); Welfare Lead (for pastoral implications); Bursar (for feasibility checks); and DAS (providing expert recommendations).

Assessment criteria include:

  • Whether the adjustment is necessary for the student to access accommodation
  • Whether the adjustment is practicable within the building
  • Health & safety implications
  • Impact on other residents
  • Availability of the accessible room at 33 St Giles
  1. Examples of Adjustments That Can Be Made

Reasonable adjustments that Blackfriars can usually support include:

6.1 Allocation-Based Adjustments

  • Priority consideration for the accessible room at 33 St Giles (subject to need).
  • Room allocation based on proximity to shared facilities (kitchen, bathrooms).

6.2 Sensory / Neurodiversity-Related Adjustments

  • Provision of a quieter room where possible
  • Permission to use specific assistive devices
  • Flexibility around room inspections or maintenance scheduling

6.3 Minor Physical Environment Adjustments

  • Installing visual fire alarms or vibrating pillow pads
  • Providing fridge space for medications
  • Providing supportive furniture (e.g., ergonomic chairs, mattresses)

6.4 Policy or Procedural Adjustments

  • Permission for overnight support workers (subject to conditions)
  • Flexibility around tenancy dates for medical reasons
  • Reduced mobility parking guidance (where available through Oxford City Council)

 

  1. Adjustments That Cannot Be Supported

Due to structural limitations, Blackfriars cannot provide:

7.1 Wheelchair-Accessible Bedrooms or Bathrooms

  • Neither site can support full wheelchair access.
  • The accessible room at 33 St Giles is not fully wheelchair accessible due to lack of automated doorways and location on the 3rd floor of the building, with lift access only.

7.2 Structural Modifications

Requests requiring major building work—such as lift installation, widening internal staircases, or extensive bathroom remodelling—cannot be accommodated.

7.3 Sole Occupancy of Entire Floors, or Adjustments Limiting Others’ Reasonable Use

The communal accommodation footprint (22 residents total) makes this unfeasible except in very exceptional circumstances.

7.4 Adjustments That Compromise Safety

Anything undermining fire safety, emergency evacuation, or structural integrity cannot be implemented.

 

  1. Allocation of the Accessible Room at 33 St Giles

8.1 Priority Criteria

Where demand exceeds supply, the room is allocated on the basis of:

  1. DAS?verified disability?related need
  2. Severity of functional impact
  3. Suitability of the room for the specific impairment
  4. Recommendations from the Disability Lead

If multiple students qualify, the Disability Lead may consult an external advisor for an impartial view.

8.2 When Blackfriars Cannot Meet Need

If no suitable room is available, Blackfriars collaborates with DAS to secure:

  • Alternative accessible accommodation within the wider University, or
  • A tailored Freshers’ arrangement enabling interim housing elsewhere

 

  1. Evacuation and Safety Planning

Where necessary, students may receive:

  • A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
  • Assistive devices (e.g., bed shakers for alarms)
  • Information about routes and procedures

 

  1. Review, Monitoring, and Feedback
  • Adjustments remain under review throughout the licence period.
  • Students may request reassessment at any time.
  • The policy itself is reviewed annually by the Disability Lead, Welfare Lead, and Bursar.

 

  1. Appeals

Students who believe their request was not handled appropriately may appeal to:

  1. The Blackfriars EDI Lead or equivalent academic officer, and
  2. If unresolved, the University of Oxford Disability Advisory Service