Getting Reasonable Adjustments as a Counselling Student

Counselling training can be both rewarding and demanding. For students with disabilities or specific learning needs, it’s essential that learning environments are fair and accessible. Reasonable adjustments are designed to remove barriers so that all students can participate fully and succeed in their training. Yet, many students either don’t know they exist or hesitate to ask for them.

Understanding your rights and the process of requesting reasonable adjustments can help you approach your studies with confidence – and make your training experience smoother, safer, and more inclusive.

Learning Outcomes

By reading this article, you will:

• Understand what reasonable adjustments are and why they matter in counselling training.
• Recognise examples of adjustments that may support your learning needs.
• Learn practical steps for requesting adjustments and communicating with tutors.
• Reflect on how asking for support contributes to your growth as a developing practitioner.

What Are Reasonable Adjustments?

Reasonable adjustments are changes or accommodations made by a training provider to remove or reduce barriers faced by disabled students. They ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn, participate, and demonstrate their abilities.

Under the Equality Act 2010, education providers in the UK are legally required to make reasonable adjustments to support disabled learners. This duty applies across all aspects of your counselling training, from interviews and classroom learning to supervision and placement.

Reasonable adjustments are not a favour or a special privilege; they are your legal right. They are designed to create fairness, not advantage. Importantly, adjustments are personal – they relate to what you need, not to your diagnosis alone.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments

The nature of adjustments varies depending on your individual circumstances and what is practical for your provider to implement.

Common examples include:

• Extra time for assignments or assessments.
• Access to lecture recordings or captions.
• Flexible attendance policies for health reasons.
• Materials provided in alternative formats.
• Quiet or accessible spaces for study or supervision.
• Assistive technology, such as speech-to-text or screen-reader software.

In some cases, adjustments can be straightforward. A student who is deaf or hearing impaired may require a sign language interpreter – a simple yet essential step that makes full participation possible.

Other adjustments may be less visible but equally important, such as coloured overlays for students with dyslexia, or clear evacuation plans for wheelchair users.

Overcoming Barriers to Asking for Help

Many students feel anxious about requesting reasonable adjustments. Some worry that tutors will think less of them or that peers might view them as “less capable.”

Rory Lees-Oakes shared from his own experience as a dyslexic student:

These fears are understandable, but they can prevent you from getting the support you deserve. Seeking adjustments is not a sign of weakness – it’s a professional step toward self-awareness and self-advocacy, both key qualities in becoming an effective counsellor.

It can help to prepare a few sentences in advance, such as:

• “I’d like to talk with you about some reasonable adjustments that would support my learning.”
• “I want to make sure I can fully participate in all aspects of training — can we discuss what’s possible?”

Remember, most tutors genuinely want to support you. Good training providers will often encourage students to disclose their needs early and check in regularly to review what’s working.

Putting Adjustments in Place

Getting reasonable adjustments usually involves a few clear steps:

If you’re unsure what to ask for, consider what would make learning easier or reduce stress. This is a collaborative process – an ongoing dialogue between student and tutor, not a one-off request.

Cultural and Safeguarding Considerations

Not every student feels equally able to disclose their needs. Cultural background, stigma, or fear of discrimination may all influence whether someone seeks help.

As a counselling student, you may find that exploring these barriers in supervision helps you understand your own process of self-advocacy.

Reflective questions such as:

• What might be stopping me from asking for the support I need?
• How can I advocate for myself while maintaining collaboration with my tutor?

…can open meaningful discussion in supervision and model the kind of self-awareness you’ll later encourage in clients.

Why It Matters in Counselling Training

Being open about your needs doesn’t just help you – it benefits your tutors and peers too. When adjustments are in place, everyone can focus on learning, not logistics.

Training organisations are audited to ensure they meet accessibility standards, meaning tutors are required to demonstrate they’ve supported students appropriately.

Moreover, understanding reasonable adjustments as a student prepares you for professional life. As a counsellor, you’ll encounter clients who need adjustments in your own practice, such as flexible session formats or sensory accommodations. Learning to advocate for yourself now mirrors how you’ll advocate for your clients in future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Reflections

Requesting reasonable adjustments can feel daunting, but it’s an important act of self-respect and professional responsibility, and reasonable adjustments exist to ensure you can reach your full potential.

You have the right to an accessible, supportive learning environment. By asking for what you need, you’re not only upholding your own wellbeing but modelling inclusive practice for the clients and colleagues you’ll work with in future.

References

Equality Act (2010) UK Public General Acts. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

Office for Students (2023) Supporting Disabled Students in Higher Education. https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-providers/equality-of-opportunity/student-disability-guide-for-universities-and-colleges/

Disability Rights UK (2024) Reasonable Adjustments Guidance. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org

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