CityU is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). If you have a condition that might impact on your ability to perform in examinations, you can apply for special examination arrangements.

We can offer a range of examination accommodations based on your individual needs and how your condition, learning difference or health condition affects your studies. Examples include:

• Extended time for examinations,
• Use of assistive technology such as a screen reader,
• Sitting examinations in a separate room,
• Extra time on short loan or reserve books,
• No penalties for spelling & grammatical errors,
• Structure of examinations or tasks to be broken down into smaller chunks if requested.

The following sections contain links to free software, applications and tools designed to help disabled users make the most out of their computers and mobile devices.

Seeing the screen

Screen readers for Windows 

• Window-Eyes (Win)
• NVDA (Win)
• Thunder (Win)

Other computer apps 

• WebbIE (Win) - Browser and other apps for VI users
• f.lux - Blue light filter to ease eye strain
• Colour-blind Assistant (Win) - Identifies the colours on your computer screen

Browser plugins and web tools 

Inverting or changing colours and font size of websites

• NoSquint (Firefox)
• Dark Reader (Chrome)

Relaxing eye strain

• Blue Light Filter Guard (Chrome)
• Screen Shader (Chrome)

Converting documents into alternative formats

• SensusAccess
• RoboBraille

iPhone and iPad apps 

• Be My Eyes - Connects VI individuals with volunteers who can describe things for them via the phone camera
• ItZooms - Converts phone into a magnifier and can also change the contrast

Accessible Tips

Here we provide a list of accessibility links for Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android.

We recommend that you first check the inbuilt accessibility options of your operative system or device. Windows has the Ease of Access Center and Mac comes packed with a lot of assistive technology. Explore the settings on your tablet or mobile phone to see what accessibility options are available:

• Windows Accessibility
• Mac Accessibility
• iPad/iPhone Accessibility
• Android Accessibility
• My Computer My Way

Time Management

Free programmes, applications and tools designed to help users with time management, planning and research:

Software and apps

• CamStudio - Video to record your screen
• Zotero - Referencing software
• FreeMind - Mind mapping software
• Google Drive - Manage documents in the cloud
• CopyClip - Cut, copy and paste history manager
• Audacity - Sound editor

Block access to potential distractions

• SelfControl (Mac)
• Cold Turkey (Win)
• Strict Workflow (Chrome)
• Ommwriter

Web resources

• instaGrok.com - Search engine that filters data and displays it as a mind map
• BookFinder.com - Find books and compare book prices amongst all online shops
• WorldCat.org - Find references for any source
• EasyBib.com - Referencing tool
• WordCounter.net - Word count and text statistics
• OpenAccessButton.org - Search the web for a free version of a paper
• Smallpdf.com - Convert PDF to Word and other PDF conversion tools

Disclaimer

This is a list of tools that have been put together by SDS to offer CityU students free alternatives to paid assistive software. The use of the software and application downloaded is done at user’s own discretion and risk and with the agreement that user will be solely responsible for any damage to the computer system or loss of data that results from such activities. User is solely responsible for adequate protection and backup of the data and equipment used in connection with any of the software or application. CityU assumes no responsibility for updates or errors in the software and application available from this website.

To maximise the potential of students with SEN, we can arrange buddies to assist SEN students to take notes in class, help with library search, scan and convert reading materials into accessible formats and provide other support according to needs. Please send your request to our SEN Support Service ([email protected]) for further arrangements.

We strive to create a barrier-free campus by providing various accessible facilities, such as:

If students have difficulties in accessing the classrooms or other campus locations, please contact the SEN Officer for further solutions. Moreover, some assistive equipment has been placed in Library Special Needs Room and Computing Services Centre Teaching Studio Areas for students to use. Accessible furniture, including height-adjustable tables, can be provided upon request. For better arrangement, students should send their timetable to the SEN Support Service as soon as possible to ensure the furniture can be well prepared in a timely manner.

Shuttle Bus Service

Shuttle bus service is available for students with physical disabilities to travel between the main campus and other CityU venues (e.g. SCM / student accommodations). Please email your timetable to the SEN Support Service ([email protected]) for arrangements.

Locations of Accessible Facilities

* Locations of automatic doors (pdf) 

* Locations of disabled toilets (pdf) 

* Locations of drinking facilities for disabled people (pdf) 

* Locations of disabled parking space (pdf) 

* Locations of elevating platforms (pdf) 

* Ways to access special buildings / facilities (pdf) 

University life can be a big challenge in one’s development. We welcome students  with SEN to make appointment with our counsellors and talk about their concern in their study, adjustment, interpersonal relationship and other issues that affect their emotion and functioning. Please click here to get more information about our counselling service.

CityU provides academic assistance or individual guidance to the students with SEN. It will be conducted in face-to-face or online via Zoom session with 20 hours for each student with SEN.  Please send your request to our SEN Support Service ([email protected]) for further arrangements.

CityU provides free speech therapy service mainly for those with speech impairment, hearing impairment, and autism spectrum disorder for improving their speaking skills. Each student can receive up to 5 one-hour training with a professional speech therapist. Please send your request to our SEN Support Service ([email protected]) for further arrangements.

Scholarships

Apart from scholarships and funding administered by the University, there are other funding opportunities exclusively offered to students with SEN by external donors and institutions. The following are funding which students with SEN can apply for to aid their academic pursuit.

Bursaries

The CityU Financial Assistance Scheme offers bursaries and/or interest-free loans to assist full-time local undergraduate students who face financial hardship. Applicants are required to submit their applications at the start of each semester.

CityU encourages students to join different internship schemes to enrich their working experience before graduation. The SEN Officer will send the application details to declared students.