What Happens During Specialist Mentoring

In this blog post we cover what you can expect and what happens during specialist mentoring sessions. We would like to give a special thank you to Diversity And Ability (D&A), who helped facilitate this content.

What Is Specialist Mentoring?

Mentoring, in a nutshell, offers confidential one-to-one support to help you feel happier and more confident while you study. University life can bring with it a unique set of stressors and challenges. Mentoring will allow you to manage these, enabling you to become more independent, feel more confident with your work and have a better university experience.

“Prior to starting the sessions, I had no idea what to expect and have since been surprised just how truly helpful they are. The flexibility that fed into every part of the sessions really allowed me to build my confidence in considering and prioritising my wellbeing and voice. My mentor was really great at holding the space for me and I always felt safe, heard and valued. Having the time and space to talk through and reflect on things in a way I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise has been invaluable. I’m really grateful for all that I’ve learnt. “

Sophie, Second Year, Goldsmith, University of London

The Logistics Of Specialist Mentoring

Mentoring sessions typically last an hour and take place regularly throughout the academic year in a private, comfortable, and safe space.  All mentors are experienced practitioners, holding relevant qualifications in the field of mental health and membership of an appropriate professional body.

“My mentor was amazing! Very understanding, very helpful, he gave emotional support and was also very effective with planning and organising tasks, goal setting. It made everything easier and he was such a big help.”

 Sam, First Year, London South Bank University

How COVID-19 Has Affected Specialist Mentoring

Although face-to-face mentoring support has been put on hold for the time being, mentors are now fully equipped to provide sessions remotely through a variety of online platforms. As with face-to-face, online sessions will continue to support students in the following areas:

• Assistance with any pastoral matters which are causing anxiety or stress
• Support with motivation and morale
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Emotional support with a focus on enabling the development of emotional awareness and wellbeing strategies

Furthermore, many practitioners are using inbuilt accessibility features, such as live captioning, to make online mentoring as inclusive and as effective as it’s ever been.

‘It was getting really tough to manage everything at once and having this support has helped in a lot of ways. I really like how the support is still made accessible online, and it doesn’t feel less beneficial than a face-to-face session. In the current situation, I’ve needed my sessions more than ever’

Shivani, First Year, King’s College London

 

Learn about other kinds of non medical helper support

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7 Tips For Making Friends In Freshers (updated for COVID-19)

We first posted this article on 7 tips for making friends in freshers back in June 2019, however with the current pandemic we thought it would be good to revisit this with some updated tips for this years freshers.

1) First of all remember that everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is new and will be feeling excited but also apprehensive and a little shy/ nervous. Some people just hide it better than others. Most people are living away from home for the first time and like you are trying to find their feet.

2) Before you go to Uni, there is probably the opportunity to meet future fellow students and flatmates online. Most universities will have forums for new students where you can discuss courses and accommodation. Be proactive and utilise this, get to know people on social media and possibly meet up beforehand or get together on arrival, you will have made a head start.

3) Be friendly….you don’t have to be an extrovert or the life and soul of the party but try to be welcoming and approachable with your new flat mates/fellow students. You are going to be together for a large chunk of your first year so make a particular effort this week. Even if you’re painfully shy, good advice is to smile, introduce yourself, try to remember names and show interest in the people you meet, ask a few questions but keep it light. Remember they are probably feeling the same.

In light of Covid-19 try to be more respectful of people’s personal space. You might feel comfortable with people in your space but it doesn’t mean that everyone feels this way.

4) Try to get to your new accommodation early and unpack asap, it’s going to be a busy week and it will help make life easier if your room is organised and everything is at hand. You will meet people as they arrive and it also leaves you more time to socialise and join in with the week’s events!

5) Resist the urge to hide away  in your room, if you are unpacking leave the door open so people can chat if they are passing. If new people arrive, introduce yourself, maybe offer to make them a drink.

6) Don’t overdo it but do try to join in with as many things as you can, be open to events on offer and join societies you are interested in. In fact, if someone asks you to join a society with them or try an activity that you hadn’t previously considered, give it a go, you may discover a new passion and at the very least meet new friends.

7) Try to enjoy the experience, you may not meet your lifelong friends in the first week but friendships will be forged. Stress not, you are probably there for at least three years and new friends and different friendship groups  will be established over time. Relax and the rest is easy.

 

Check out our full guide on Transitioning to university during COVID-19.

To find out more about us visit A2B Assessments

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The Mental Health Benefits Of Journaling

In this blog post we will be exploring the mental health benefits of journaling…

Keeping a journal or diary is becoming increasingly popular and can be a useful tool to manage stress, anxiety and depression. There are an increasing number of studies showing the mental health benefits of journaling and although it is not a substitute for conventional treatments, it may be a practical way to help you manage your mental health.

The act of expressing feelings and thoughts in writing can clear the mind and help you to reflect and be aware of negative patterns. Identifying key triggers of stress can help with self awareness and self development. You can then prioritise problems and work through negative thought processes and behaviours to help limit their impact. This can alleviate emotional trauma.

Journals can be a safe and secure place to record innermost thoughts and emotions in complete confidence, and without fear of being judged. Some people like to reflect on their writing to understand their journey and personal development. However, others don’t feel the need to constantly re-read everything. The act of articulating their thoughts in writing and emptying them out of their head is enough to bring mental clarity and promote positive emotional health.

There is no right or wrong way to journal, it is very personal and can be used in the way most suited to your personality and lifestyle. Write about what you want to and as little or as much as you want. It is also important to remember that if you do not find it enjoyable or useful, then there are alternative therapies available to support mental health and there is no pressure to continue.

If the thought of keeping a journal is of interest to you, here are some ideas to get you started. However, remember, it is your personal journey and there are no real rules.

Choose a method that appeals to you

You can choose to write on paper or use a digital journal. If you like to draw, use diagrams or symbols to illustrate your thoughts, a paper journal may enable you to be more creative. Writing by hand is slower but the idea is that this helps you to process your thoughts more thoroughly. A paper journal can also be more convenient, it is portable, you can carry it about, pick it up and write instantly without relying on passwords or charged batteries etc. The main disadvantage is that you could lose your journal and therefore all of your writing.

Alternately, if you prefer to word process, you may be better suited to a digital method. If you think privacy may be a problem, secure password protection can obviously help to safeguard your writing. Entries can be faster when typing, and various online apps have useful organisational features and prompts that can be difficult to reproduce in simple notebook form. You can also journal in Microsoft Word or Pages.

Day One is a free app for Mac and IOS users, (you can upgrade for more features). You can add photographs and text and your entries can be exported into a PDF file. Grid Diary is another useful app which provides templates and prompts to help you reflect. Most of the features are free to use but again you can pay for upgrades.  Evernote is an app we have covered on the A2B blog before and allows you to make notes that easily sync across all of your devices (read our Evernote write up).

The kind of journalling method you choose is purely down to preference and the medium you feel most comfortable using.

Keep your journal close by

Keep your journal close to you if possible, in a bag, desk drawer or bedside table. You are more likely to write about your current feelings and moods if it is easily accessible. It is more probable that you will also develop and maintain a regular habit if you keep it handy. A digital option can usually be accessed by mobile phone which most people constantly have with them.

Write regularly

Although writing regularly is recommended to keep track of your thoughts and feelings, the idea is that journalling is meant to help you feel better and shouldn’t feel like a chore. Try and put a period of time aside on a daily basis if possible, and it will get easier and gradually become second nature.

Use a timer if it helps, for example you could aim to write for at least fifteen minutes per day. You don’t have to stop when the timer goes off if there is more you want to say, but you will have achieved at least fifteen minutes. This can be extended if necessary as you become more experienced and comfortable with the process. One timer app that we love is Forest, which allows you to use the time you have accumulated in the app to plant real trees in the rainforest.

Choose a time that is convenient, maybe when you wake up, on your daily commute, your lunch break or before you go to sleep.

However, if at first you find the process difficult, write when you feel able to and don’t ever feel under pressure.

Quick Start Challenge

If you are feeling pressed for time this 5 minute per day challenge will give you a taste of the mental health benefits of keeping a journal. First thing on a morning write down 3 things you are grateful for and then on an evening write down 3 good things that happened that day. Try this for 7 days and see if you feel more positive.

Write naturally

You are expressing your thoughts and feelings. Don’t worry about punctuation, grammar and spelling. It is important to just write honestly and let it flow using language you feel comfortable with. To help you keep track of events you might find it useful to date your entries.

Format

Express yourself in ways that are comfortable for you, you could write lists, bullet points, write a poem, use illustrations or write in story form. Some people write letters as a way of communicating their feelings to someone. The letter is not usually intended to be delivered, but writing down thoughts that they would like to express to someone can be therapeutic.

Write without self-judgement

It is your journal and no-one is judging you so do not judge yourself. Allow yourself to be upset about things and write about negative emotions, fear, hurt, jealousy, without embarrassment or guilt. These feelings are normal and you are doing a positive thing by trying to resolve issues and inner-conflict.

Review

You may find that you write about your feelings and worries when you are at your most emotional. Reviewing these later when you may be feeling more relaxed and calm can help you to reflect and put them into perspective. This can help identify trigger points that you can recognise and try to avoid, making better choices in future.

Bullet journalling

A bullet journal is a flexible method to help you track goals, short and long term and significant events and milestones. It helps you to be more focused and organised by recording everything in one place and helps to de-clutter the mind, which again can promote positive mental health. More information about bullet journalling can be found here.

For more articles like this check out the rest of the A2B blog or book a DSA assessment.

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Android Accessibility Updates

Accessibility has always been at the forefront of the Android platform and Google has recently implemented some Android Accessibility updates and added even more features. These are excellent additions for anyone to make use of, but especially people with disabilities.

Action Blocks

Action Blocks is a feature that has been in development for a while and finally it has been released to the public. This groundbreaking app allows users to perform complex actions with a single tap.  Using a widget on your home screen, you can program the widget to carry out any task on your phone.  Then with a single click the Action Block can repeat the task.

Action Blocks comes with a number of actions already installed and ready to use immediately. You can also create your custom actions for anything you can imagine. For anyone with a cognitive disability, Action Blocks can really make life easier.

Live Transcribe

 Google’s “Live Transcribe” application is also getting a few upgrades. A new update which allows the app to learn new specialised words, improves on what was already a very useful app. Google have also added functionality that allows you to search through all of your transcriptions for any keyword.

Another great feature is that you can set a keyword and then your device will vibrate when this keyword is mentioned. This could be extremely useful if you need to listen out for a specific topic or if you have a hearing impairment.

Voice Access

Android users who have motor or physical impairments can make use of the newly improved “Voice Access” app. The app is more fluid than ever and allows users to carry out basic functions on their phone using just their voice.

Previously apps used to just be numbered on your screen and you would say the corresponding number. With the latest update Voice Access recognises the app’s name, so you can be a lot more direct and just say exactly what you need.

Sound Amplifier

 Sound Amplifier would previously only increase the volume with wired headphones, but with the new update it will also boost the sound over Bluetooth.

Google Maps

Wheelchair users will be happy to hear that the latest Google Maps update allows you to show wheelchair access from the main screen, instead of having to hit a button and select it. A small but time saving feature.

You can download all of these updated app for free from the Google Play Store

Check out our full guide to Android Accessibility.

Thanks for reading

A2B Assessments DSA Assessors

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Accessibility In Video Games

In this post will take look at the current state of accessibility in video games and games for disabled people…

20 years ago, no one would have predicted how far along the video game industry would come. Today, video games have become more than tools to pass the time. They are also used for training, research, education, and even rehabilitation. The only limits are those imposed by the imagination of the programmer. One key factor in determining how far the video game industry can go, and the amount of impact it can have is accessibility and games for disabled people.

Some of the main issues some users face with video game accessibility are:

• Not being able to receive the desired feedback from an interaction in the game, as a result of a sensory impairment. For example, being unable to decipher spoken instructions mid-game due to impaired hearing. Or being unable to read visual cues due to visual impairment.
• Not being able to provide the required input, due to some sort of motor impairment. For example, users who make use of eye trackers will not get the same level of immersion in video games which need a large amount of input as regular users. Think button bashing on fighting games.
• Not being able to fully comprehend the intricacies of game play, or an inability to provide the right kind of input. Normally stemming from some level of cognitive impairment. For example, a user with learning difficulties may experience poor comprehension when playing.

How can developers help overcome some of the above issues? All video games should include Tier 1 accessibility.

As the name implies, this is the lowest level of accessibility that video game developers should hope to achieve. It includes the use of:

Remappable buttons – This allows users to change the configuration of the video game controls in a manner that makes the most ergonomic sense to them.

Colour-blind options – Research has shown the most common form of colour-blindness is the red-green variety. As many as 8 percent of all men have some variation of colour-blindness. So, video game developers should include an alternative way to provide in game information, other than colour.

Closed captioning – Most games these days include subtitles as an option and this is a very useful feature. However, closed captioning takes this one step further and encompasses the entire range of verbal communication; including voice tones and other auditory cues. This is vital in some video games where picking up on these cues may be the difference between success and failure.

Tutorials – Many people in the world are kinaesthetic or tactile learners. Meaning they learn by actually carrying out the activities themselves. For these people tutorials are invaluable. Tutorials give users the ability to learn how to play the game without fear of loss or defeat. This allows users with cognitive disabilities to learn the mechanics of the game without fear of failure.

Accessible Controllers

Some developers are dedicated to eliminating the exclusionary elements in hardware controllers. Developing new ways of inputting commands that a more universally applicable. For example, controllers that allow more complex controller inputs with a single motion can help individuals with conditions that affect motor movement.

In 2015, the PlayStation 4 redefined the landscape of accessibility in gaming by introducing a system-level re-mapping of controller buttons. This gave users with motor impairments the chance to enjoy games that they would otherwise be unable to play. In 2018, the Microsoft released it’s Xbox Adaptive Controller. This gave gamers the opportunity to make use of a range of assistive devices such as switches and bite pedals.  Microsoft have also released diagrams for their patented braille controller. As significant as these achievements are, there are still giant strides to be made in the field of inclusive gaming.

Making Progress

Many of the recent innovations in inclusive gaming have stemmed from the willingness of major developers to incorporate accessibility into their big-budget gaming designs. Ubisoft, for example, had begun to enforce stricter requirements for sub-titling and the use of trigger warnings in 2008, and the rest of the industry had slowly started to adapt (learn more). In 2015, World of Warcraft, one of the biggest online games, added a colour-blind mode. This feature was met with universal acclaim by gamers and gaming enthusiasts.

Many current-gen titles have embraced inclusivity in gaming. Naughty Dog’ Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and The Last of Us titles are hailed as some of the most inclusive games of all time (BBC Article). Josh Straub, an avid gamer couldn’t get past a section on Uncharted 2 due to his disability. He complained to Naughty Dog and they brought him in and worked with him to ensure the same issues didn’t occur in future games (further details).

All game developers and designers can benefit from making their games more inclusive. Hopefully, other developers will follow in Naughty Dog’s footsteps. The new wave of inclusive gaming is still in its infancy, but it has already shown signs of blossoming into a full movement. Things can only get better.

Thanks for reading,

A2B.

Further Resources:

This is a great article from Lad Bible on the history of accessibility in gaming.

Josh Straub, mentioned above was the gamer that helped Naughty Dog improve their accessibility.  He has his own website Dager System where he reviews the accessibility of new games.

Steve Saylor is a visually impaired gamer who has a popular YouTube channel showcasing the challenged he faces while gaming. This is a popular video of his and check out his channel for more…

Book a DSA assessment.

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Studying At Home Tips

How to stay focused at home? Here are our studying at home tips

We all have different ways of processing information. If your method of studying usually involves sitting with your head down in the library, then having to change because of the global pandemic may be a bit tricky.

Here are our top studying at home tips to help you make the most out of your home study time.

1. Stick to a routine

Most of the problems associated with home study have to do with a lack of motivation. Having a strict routine helps you stay motivated and driven even in the midst of distractions.

Of course, setting a routine that deviates wildly from your normal activities may be more of a hindrance than advantage, therefore it is best to stick to a routine that doesn’t change your usual pattern of activities too much.

2. Create a study schedule

When you don’t have lectures and seminars to keep you on schedule, your study habits can suffer. Having a study schedule is essential in making sure you set your focus on the most important task at hand.

3. Stay in touch with your tutor and classmates

Getting in contact with your tutor or classmates creates a shared sense of purpose, and it goes a long way in sparking motivation and keeping you driven in times like this.

Virtual meetings can be held with the use of apps like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or good old phone calls, and they give you the ability to bounce ideas off your peers as needed.

4. Have a dedicated workspace

At this point we should start to notice a trend; a lot of the issues with studying at home arise from an interruption in your normal pattern, and the only way to reverse that is by creating a pattern similar to your old one. Creating a dedicated workspace in your home is a study pattern that mimics the library environment and can help you settle in to home study.

5. The Pomodoro Technique

This is a tried and tested technique to help improve focus and reduce distractions. It works by focusing on a singular task for about 20-25 minutes, then taking a five minute break to refresh your mind.

It has been proven to help increase motivation and renew your mental energy when it starts to flag.

Getting started with the Pomodoro technique.

6. Engage your learning

Try to learn as you would at university. For example, if you take notes in lectures then also take notes at home. Always have a notebook and a pen handy. If treat your home study with the same attitude as studying at university then you’ll definitely reap the rewards.

7. Give yourself something to look forward to 

Research has shown that humans are motivated by the idea of reward at the end of periods of stress or intense effort. Studying is no different.

Because of this, setting some sort of reward for yourself can be a great way to keep yourself motivated, in the face of what often seems like monotonous and unrewarding work.

8. Take regular breaks

It’s even more important to take regular breaks during home study than when you’re at university because you will usually have more distractions in your home. Having regular scheduled breaks will help you deal with these distractions.

9. Block out Distractions.

If you really can’t focus, using apps like Forest or Freedom can help you shut off some of the more tempting apps (like Instagram), while you get some studying done. We have full articles covering how to use these apps below…

How to use Forest

How to use Freedom

If you are a student with additional needs going to university in September, make sure you get your dsa assessment booked as soon as possible. 

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Decision Day: To Study or Defer?

Today is the final day you are able to accept your place at University in September. Are you going to choose to study or defer?

UCAS has said there are still 65,000 applicants who have yet to make their mind up.

What is normally a fairly straight forward decision is being made harder by the difficulties COVID-19 has introduced.

With the social side of the University experience looking like it will be restricted come September, you may be faced with the reality that your first year will not be as you imagined.

However, at A2B Assessments we prescribe more to the glass half full analogy, rather than the glass half empty.

Some positives to consider:

Universities are doing everything they can to make this year as normal a University experience as they can.  By September this may not be too different from the usual experience. There will still be face to face classes, social events and pubs and bars will be open! The only real difference is that social distancing will likely be enforced.

Due to people deferring, there are more places available at some of the top Universities in the world. Be warned that it is possible the intake in 2021 will be much larger than normal and therefore places may be limited.

With online lectures and seminars everything will be recorded. This means you can can really make the most of your learning and re-watch any content that you found confusing or tough.

Decision Time

Whether you decided to take your place or not, good luck with whatever the next year brings.

If do decide to take your place and you have additional needs, then make sure you get your Disabled Students Allowance in place before you start in September. This can be imperative to your success! You can find all the details you need on our website here, and you can can also book your DSA assessment.

All the best,

A2B

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