My  name is Daniel Taylor.  I am a third-year medical chemistry at the University of East Anglia .  The disability I have is called tetraplegia, which is the paralysis from the chest down.  I have full mobility of my arms and legs, but from the chest down, I am paralyzed. 

How do you find UEA?

UEA is a particularly good university, in terms of academics, but also in terms of disabled access, it is also good.  It was built in the 1960’s, which makes it more modern than other universities.  You don’t have a problem with old buildings which you can’t do anything with, because the buildings were built more recently, the disabled access was put in then rather than in 2005 when the disability act came into effect.

What services do you receive at UEA?

Academically, the main services I receive are a note-taker, which attends lectures with me and helps me to take notes.  S/he also helps in labs, helping me carry equipment and set up my equipment.  They help me stir things, which is very handy for my degree, obviously. 

What are your accommodations like?

This room is an accessible room, but since this dorm is being demolished, so will this room.  They’re building new accommodations, which are much better than the current one, which you can see is quite a wide room.  It has a desk, computer, bookshelf, enough space for a bed even with all my equipment in place.  It has an accessible shower room just next door.  There is also a sliding door, as well as an accessible kitchen with all the facilities, which are lowered to my height and very handy.

Also, one of the nice things about living in England is that we have a home delivery system, which you can go online (free on campus for all students) and pick from a list exactly what items you want.  You pay for your items using your credit card; if you spend more than 75 pounds, your fresh food is delivered with no fee.  They’ll bring it to my door and even put it away in the kitchen for me, which is a fantastic idea.

The university sets up volunteers and what they tend to do is you give them your money and shopping list, and they’ll buy the food for you.  I prefer this because I think they compare a bit more in prices.  They can choose the sell-by date a bit better too.    

How do you find getting around the campus?

Getting around campus is relatively easy.  There are certain points where it becomes a steeper incline than others; however, it is mostly accessible.  It is not really difficult to get around, though some of the doors are not electric.  Sometimes you will have to push the door or ask someone to help you. 

How do you find the disability office?

I think the disability office is undervalued at the university office.  They do a very good job.  However, at time I feel like they can be given more support from other people in the university.  The way the wheels of bureaucracy turn tends to be a pain.  However, they try to accommodate everyone as best they can, but purely due to financial or as I’ve said, bureaucratic issues, it can be slightly more difficult.  I think they have your best interests at heart. 

How do you find getting around the city?

It is okay.  Mostly I don’t really have many problems.  It is a good city for having a disability because it is under an enormous redevelopment plan.  It is quite an old city, one of the first ones in England .  It was the capital city before London , so it is fairly old as you can imagine.  It is kind of beginning to be torn down and rebuilt, which makes having a disability easier with the new rules and disability acts governing the way buildings are made today.  They must have disability access.  However, it still manages to maintain an old feel, with the castle and museums, which again, are accessible.  I think the city takes great pride in its disability access issues.  It is fantastic; it’s a beautiful city that has been voted the fourth most liveable city in Europe .  People should really come check it out. 

Public transportation is quite good; I actually have my own car here.  The university is quite keen to promote independent transport for those with disabilities.  You can get around here quite easily.  A lot of the students here are not disabled and are allowed to bring a car to the university, but obviously they are quite lenient.  If you have a disability vehicle, they’ll let you park it wherever you want.  Mine is just outside, the black Chrysler Voyager.  They’re very accommodating.  I do know, however, that other disabled students on campus make use of public transport.  There is a good taxi service that you can phone up and the taxi will arrive in under five minutes, and all the taxis in Norwich ramps so you can get right in the taxi and be taken anywhere.  Norwich has just commissioned 50 new kneeling-buses, which is very beneficial.

Is there a wheelchair repair facility in Norwich ?

I don’t think there is one on campus, but the disability office has some spare wheelchairs, which is vital.  If you were looking to repair wheelchairs, you’d have to contact the local NHS service in Norwich , or the hospital is right next door to campus and they’d be more than willing to assist you.

How is the campus social life?

It is very good at UEA.  Actually, UEA was voted best university for social activity in the country recently, which we’re obviously very proud of.  Everything is in walkable distance to everything else.  It is all located in the central campus; the bar is very big and also tend to have theme nights in the residence areas.  It is like a big disco event.  For example, we had a Little Britain night; we also have Halloween and Christmas.  It is good fun, and everyone gets into the spirit of it. 

What does an American student need to know before studying abroad?

Perhaps the most important thing to think about is if the course of study will be available, which is more of an academic problem than something disability-related.  Secondary to that, I would ask what sources are available that would help a visiting student.  For example, if you required help in the morning getting dressed, will the university have services like that to get you ready for your day, or even cook, wash, or iron for you if necessary.  I would consider exactly what sort of help you would get academically; if you were doing sort of a physically demanding degree, would there be someone to carry out lab work?  If you had issues relating to writing, is there somebody who will attend lectures and workshops with you to take notes for you?  It is very important to make concise notes, and what is particularly good at UEA is that they employ PhD students to assist with note-taking.  My note-taker is a 3^rd PhD organic chemist. 

I suppose you must also understand how accessible the campus according to your direct needs.  Make sure that you have everything you need and can get everywhere on campus and in the city.  Make sure the city is accessible for what you’d like to do.