Disabled Access in Kaplan Schools
At Kaplan, we ensure that each student who passes through our doors receives a high quality education and a wonderful experience abroad, whether that is helping students who feel homesick and miss their families, those that might not be happy in their chosen accommodation, or those who might need a bit of additional help.
We wanted to write a post about the level of disabled access in our schools, in case you are thinking about learning English abroad, and let you know that we can accommodate all types of students. For more specific information per school it's best to contact an advisor directly who will be able to give you more information, but if you read on, we cover some key facts.
Can I access your schools and classes?
The layout of our schools and classrooms are designed with wheelchair access in mind. Many of our schools feature large classrooms with desks that can be easily moved and adapted, and others have wide corridors with laminated flooring. A number of our schools also have elevators and a wheelchair ramp for access into the school.
"Any additional help for students would depend on the student as to the assistance offered, but we would always help, where possible.”
Jenna Martin, Principal of Kaplan Manchester
Will I be able to partake in the social activities?
Part of learning at Kaplan is the experience our students have both inside and outside of class. Our curriculum is designed to help students practice what they've learned in class and encourages them to use their new conversational skills in a relaxed environment. Schools are notified if a student with a disability is due to study with them and, depending on their limitation, school activities for that period of time will be arranged to accommodate that student.
“Activities are arranged with these students in mind; we check that venues have disabled access, we’re mindful of transport we need to take to reach activities, and we check ahead of time if we can attend special performances at the cinema for those hard of hearing or with limited vision.”
Jenna Martin, Principal of Kaplan Manchester
What are my accommodation options?
All our students have the option to stay in a residence with other students from all over the world or with a homestay family where they can gain real insight into life as a local. Choosing which option you'd prefer is really down to a student's individual needs.
“With homestay, we would have to discuss this with them on a case-by-case basis, as some families are open to the idea of helping students. But we would still need to do a pre-inspection to make sure the accommodation meets the necessary requirements.”
Wouter Redelinghuys, Academic Manager of Kaplan Seattle
On the other hand, our student residences are conveniently located close to our schools and the city centers, which means students would not need to travel very far or take public transport. The residence buildings are usually accessible by elevator, with a certain number of handicapable rooms that can be reserved on request.
We have over 40 English schools in destinations across the world, from the excitement of American cities, countrysides of the UK to the natural beauty of Canada, find out more how you can study English abroad!
