This policy sets out how National LifeSkills Academy makes reasonable adjustments so that disabled learners, and learners with long-term health conditions or specific learning difficulties, can take part in courses and assessments on an equal basis. It reflects NLSA's duties under the Equality Act 2010 and applies to all NLSA courses, assessments and services.

What a reasonable adjustment is

A reasonable adjustment is a change to the way a course, assessment or service is delivered that removes or reduces a disadvantage. An adjustment makes a course or assessment accessible. It does not change what the course teaches or what the assessment measures.

Accessible by design

Many barriers are removed before anyone needs to ask:

• assessments are untimed unless a time limit is essential;
• audio has captions or transcripts, and narration matches the on-screen text;
• courses are written in plain British English; and
• learners can pause and return to a course at any time.

Examples of adjustments

• Course material in an alternative format.
• Help using screen readers or other assistive technology with the course and assessment.
• Changes to how an assessment is presented, where this does not change what it measures.
• Extra support from NLSA to get started or to complete the course.

How to ask

Contact director@nlsa.uk, ideally before starting the course. You can ask at any time, including before an assessment. Tell us what you find difficult and what would help. We only ask for the information we need to make the adjustment.

We acknowledge your request within two working days.

How requests are decided

Each request is considered individually, taking into account the learner's needs, the course and the assessment, and what is practicable. We aim to agree adjustments before the learner reaches the assessment. If a request cannot be met, we explain why, suggest alternatives where possible, and the learner may appeal under the Appeals Policy.

Confidentiality

Information about a learner's needs is kept confidential, shared only with those who need it to make the adjustment, and handled under the Data Protection Policy.

Monitoring and review

We record each request and the outcome, ask learners whether adjustments worked, and use what we learn to make courses more accessible for everyone. This policy is reviewed annually, and sooner if law or guidance changes.

National LifeSkills Academy Ltd  |  Reasonable Adjustments Policy  |  v2.0 September 2026