Equipment & Technology

Equipment, technology, standard and specialist software can be important assets whilst studying. There are various ways students can access this support, all of which is free.

The University library hosts various pieces of free software which can convert traditional digital text into alternative formats, including audiobooks (MP3 and DAISY), e-books (including EPUB, EPUB3 and MOBI) and digital Braille. They can also provide access to a collection of digital texts which are not available digitally on any other platform. Click here to view how you can use these free services on the Library’s webpages.

For leisure reading, the University Library has curated a collection on Libby which includes e-magazines such as BBC Good Food, e-books and audio books. Libby is free to use for all students; click here to view how you can download the app and start your leisure reading.

Microsoft and Apple software contains many in-built features to support accessibility and usability of their products. Click here for more details on Microsoft or click here for more details on Apple.

We can temporarily loan you some note-taking software which is compatible with mobile devices. It allows users to record the audio material, for example lectures or tutorials, and edit the recording to create study notes which you can then go back and edit, highlight important sections, add presentation slides and much more.

For more information have a look at this informational video about Glean.

What to do next?

Check your Disabled Students Allowance DSA2/entitlement letter and Needs Assessment Report to see if you have been given a personal, permanent license from Student Finance. If it is not included in your DSA, please use this contact form and we can advise on the next steps. If you are an international student or not eligible for DSA, please use this contact form and we can advise on the next steps.

Disabled Students Allowance can provide technology, hardware and software to eligible students to support them with their studies.

If you have DSA already, you will find any approved equipment allowance on your DSA2 letter from Student Finance. It is your responsibility to order your equipment and arrange any training that has been provided for you, so please make sure you remember to do this.

If you have any questions about your DSA technology, you can either contact your DSA Needs Assessor (you will find their details on the front page of your report), or SWAI via our accessing support page.

Loan equipment is available free of charge for students registered with Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity to borrow for fixed periods of time.

Loan equipment could be borrowed whilst Disabled Students Allowance applications are in progress, or for specific activities such as exams.

The University can loan you equipment, or provide specialist software, to support with your studies alongside your health/disability.

The list of equipment available includes:

  • laptops
  • slim line keyboards
  • voice recorders
  • Deaf Alterter pagers
  • manual wheelchair

The list of free software available includes Glean note-taking software and MindJet MindManager.

For a full list of Software available please click here.

You can meet with an Advisor from SWAI who will discuss equipment or additional software which might be needed to meet your disability/health related needs.

London Students

There is loan equipment such as laptops, cameras, cables and much more is available for you to borrow. For the full list of loan equipment for London students can be found online.

For more IT support please get in contact with the IT services team in London by either going to a drop-in session on the second floor of the London campus or book an online appointment by emailing London-IT@lboro.ac.uk or call 01509 222333 (Monday – Friday, 8.30-17.00).

Advice for London students is here.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can check all your approved support here via the disability tab in your self-service portal  

IT Services will email you to arrange a collection point.

Your Disability Advisor will have put an end date to your loan period. You can check here via the disability tab in your self-service portal  

IT services (Loughborough)

IT Services (London)

External resources

Diversity and Ability (D&A)

Resources on how to use equipment and technology

Call Scotland

Posters and Leaflets on a variety of topics regarding technology and equipment and how to make the most use of them

Last Updated: 18th October 2023