Adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 (Northern Ireland: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995)
The UKFPO is aware of the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 (Northern Ireland: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995) and will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate requests provided these are made known in advance.
Reasonable adjustments are the practical arrangements made to provide access to the SJT, to ensure that no applicant is at a disadvantage on the grounds of disability or health, without changing the demands of the test.
If you require any reasonable adjustments (for example, wheelchair access, extra time, nursing mothers, having access to certain medical devices or food), you must request these when you apply to the F2 Stand-alone vacancy on Oriel.
Requests for reasonable adjustments that are submitted after the application deadline will not be considered. No reasonable adjustments can be made on the day of the test. In some instances, to satisfy requests for adjustments, it may be necessary to schedule your test at a specific time or in a specific location.
Non-urgent advice: Information
Pearson VUE refer to reasonable adjustments as accommodations.
Nursing Mothers Policy
In line with the Equality Act 2010 (Northern Ireland: Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995), the UKFPO will consider requests from nursing mothers to make available suitable facilities in the Pearson VUE centres. If this applies to you then you must submit this information with your application form by selecting the Other reasonable adjustment option and providing further details. The UKFPO will then liaise with Pearson VUE to try to honour your request. Children are not permitted at any of the test centres and therefore it is recommended that nursing mothers check the location of the test centre before booking a test to ensure that nearby facilities meet any requirements you may have.
Address details for each Pearson VUE centre can be found at https://pearsonvue.com/ukfp.
Comfort Aids
Pearson VUE lists several medicines, medical and mobility devices as comfort aids which do not require pre-approval as an accommodation by the UKFPO. Comfort aid items are listed on the Pearson VUE website in the test accommodations section.
The items listed will be allowed in the testing room upon visual inspection by test centre staff. Visual inspection will be done by examining the item without directly touching it (or the applicant) and without asking the applicant to remove the item, unless otherwise stated in Pearson VUE’s comfort aid list.
Reasonable Adjustments available:
Extra time – 25% exam time
Test centre appointments: yes.
OnVUE appointments: yes.
Separate room
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, there is limited availability for separate rooms, and not all Pearson VUE test centres are able to accommodate these requests.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
Separate room and reader
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, there is limited availability for separate rooms, and not all Pearson VUE test centres are able to accommodate these requests.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
Separate room and reader/recorder
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, there is limited availability for separate rooms, and not all Pearson VUE test centres are able to accommodate these requests.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
Separate room and recorder
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, there is limited availability for separate rooms, and not all Pearson VUE test centres are able to accommodate these requests.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
Separate room and snacks
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, there is limited availability for separate rooms, and not all Pearson VUE test centres are able to accommodate these requests.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
Zoom text (for adjustable contrast)
Test centre appointments: yes.
OnVUE appointments: yes.
Glucose testing supplies
Test centre appointments: yes.
OnVUE appointments: no.
Coloured screen overlay
Test centre appointments: yes.
Please note, overlays are not provided by test centres. If your reasonable adjustment for a coloured screen overlay is approved, you must bring your own overlay to the test centre.
OnVUE appointments: not applicable.
You may use your own overlay as normal. This does not need to be requested as an adjustment and does not need to be declared.
Other
Test centre appointments: subject to request.
OnVUE appointments: subject to request.
Further details must be provided when you apply for your reasonable adjustment(s).
Evidence to support your request
You should expect to provide medical evidence for any adjustments requested and are therefore advised to source this as soon as possible to ensure that deadlines are met. If your medical evidence is more than 6 months old and you are not applying for reasonable adjustments on the basis of a long-term condition, you may be asked to provide further information. Acceptable evidence could include:
A report by the current medical specialist treating your condition or Occupational Health physician on company letterhead in which they must:
- describe what adjustment(s) is/are required in relation to the current medical condition or disability
- describe the nature of the ongoing treatment and frequency
Non-urgent advice: Reasonable adjustments and your Pearson VUE online account
If you have received approval from the UKFPO for reasonable adjustments, you can find confirmation of this under the Accommodations section when you have booked your SJT appointment.