Vote and submit ideas!

The Ideas System is simple way for students to submit ideas and vote on ideas from other students. When an idea is submitted it will be reviewed by the Student Voice Team together with an Executive Officer, who will usually approve the idea but may decide not to publish/approve an idea when it may potentially:-

be illegal
impact on our ability to fulfill our charitable objectives/obligations,
include the names or identities of individuals this includes University or Union Staff
include material/words that could be seen as defamatory

In this situation. we will get in touch with you to explain the reasoning for the decision and work with you to, where possible, edit the idea to resolve the issue/s and then publish the idea. We will also within this communication outline how you are able to appeal this decision.

All other ideas will be published on this page and students will be able to indicate whether they think it is a good idea (thumbs up) or not (thumbs down) for 10 working days, students can also comment on the idea. When:-

Ideas receive <50 likes are sent to the relevant Council for consideration. If the Council think the idea is worth doing, they can lead with implementation or policy development.
Ideas receive >50 likes but less than 100 likes it must be discussed by a Council, but they’re not obliged to act on the idea, if they do then they will either develop a plan of action or create a policy for presentation to the Leicester 100.
Ideas recieve 100+ likes within 10 working days allows a proposer to take the idea to Leicester 100 if they have a full policy. Otherwise, the idea will be presented to the relevant Council, who must create either a policy for presentation to the Leicester 100 or plan of action to implement the idea.

When an idea is presented to a Council you will be invited to attend the meeting, you can be as involved as you would like in the discussion, implementation, or development of a policy. If it is decided that it will go forward as a Policy to the Leicester 100 to vote on, then the Council will help you put this together, we have also put together a useful guide to help with putting together a policy. The process through which a published idea is either implemented or becomes a policy is summarised in this flow chart

To rate an idea that has already been submitted, simply select thumbs up or thumbs down to indicate whether you like the idea or not. That's how simple our system is! You can also add comments to ideas and start a discussion with your fellow students.

If you have any queries regarding the ideas system, please email su-council@le.ac.uk

Please note: Once an idea is submitted, it has 2 weeks to reach the 50 positive votes needed to move to the next stage in the policymaking process. Ideas will automatically be removed after 6 months.

Ideas

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72 score

76 voters

Allow neurodivergent students and students with learning disabilities extra time in assignments if necessary

Submitted 8 months ago by Olivia Nadia Naomi Perrie-Ann Phoenix

Passed
6comments

I have recently found out that neurodivergent students and students with learning disabilities are not allowed extra time in their assignments. I found this out as I am dyslexic and was denied an extension on the grounds of my dyslexia through mitigating circumstances as my dyslexia is "not unforeseen". Although it does make sense that students who have confirmed diagnoses of neurodivergence and learning disabilities are not unknown to the university or themselves, as a result of their brain cognitions, they may require extra or more time to process and complete their work than the rest. Therefore another platform to request extra time on these grounds should be created to offer necessary support to these students. Neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities, often face unique challenges that affect their ability to complete assignments within standard time frames. These challenges can include difficulties with attention, processing speed, executive functioning, and sensory sensitivities. Providing additional time for assignments allows these students to fully demonstrate their knowledge and skills without being unfairly disadvantaged by time constraints.

Granting additional assignment time is a crucial step toward creating an equitable and supportive learning environment for neurodivergent students and students with learning disabilities. This allows our university to be equitable and fair whilst working in alignment with recommendations made by the Government's Disabled Students' Allowance assessments and assessors.

Abby Ruth Simpkin: 11:41am on 10 Dec 24 Are you aware of AccessAbility? It is a service that is run by the University that can help with alternative arrangements of assignments, assessments, etc if you have a disability. I know of a number of neurodivergent people who do have alternative arrangements but it does vary from person to person. I recommend that the people who you have said are not allowed extra time get in contact with AccessAbility
Olivia Nadia Naomi Perrie-Ann Phoenix: 5:21pm on 10 Dec 24 Hi Abby, thank you for your comment. I am aware of AccessAbility! However, believe it or not, they do not cover this and do not make exceptions. Once a disability is known to the university alternative arrangements can be made but this only applies to exams and not assignments, unfortunately. Although there is an option for a "flare" of a disability on the mitigating circumstances form, extensions are not actually granted on the grounds of the impact of the disability itself. I have spoken to many departments and AccesAbility and they have reiterated that it is simply the rule, which isn't inclusive or fair at all, and actually actively disadvantages students. I have been advised by staff and SU to submit the idea here, to try and get this changed because even if students speak to AccessAbility they will be told the same thing and nothing will be done.
Chidera Efobi: 1:34am on 16 Dec 24 This idea is completely needed and I can't believe this wasn't in place already! Hopefully the rules can be changed soon.
Logan Owin Chmiel: 2:02pm on 19 Dec 24 This is definitely needed as I was informed that additional time wasn't a 'given' and if needed, I would need to ask for mitigating circumstances and it may not be granted. This causes additional stress and worry throughout each assignment
Esme Parkinson: 2:52pm on 17 Jan 25 This is a problem I've genuinely heard in my friend groups before!! Not all of us have the support or mindset to meet deadlines. Although assignments are a more accessible alternative to evaluating students than exams, that doesn't mean we should just be satisfied with them as is. There's really no reason to not have this option, regardless of how liberally they intend to give it out. Good luck <3
Rowan Blythe: 12:33pm on 19 Jan 25 I resonate with this so much, I am constantly seeking extensions even though I am receiving high 2;1 and 1st grades because of my disability which impacts processing etc. There needs to be more understanding by the university itself, to accept this and make changes so disabled people can have the same opportunities as everyone esle

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Ideas

Allow neurodivergent students and students with learning disabilities extra time in assignments if necessary