“My ultimate ambition when I leave Edge Hill University is to become a stand-up comedian, although I haven’t yet decided whether to include my guide dog, Asta, in the act. She’d make a brilliant straight guy – or rather straight dog – but there would be a good chance of her falling asleep and snoring, like she does in lectures. I’m now in my third year studying Creative Writing and Drama and my time here has been fantastic. Asta has always been an essential part of the experience and I think we’ve both enjoyed ourselves at Edge Hill.

Because I’m visually impaired I needed a university with specially adapted accommodation, as well as campus facilities that would enable me to take a full part in student life. I got all that here – and more.

One of the things that drew me to Edge Hill was the really friendly atmosphere among the students. This is important if you have a visual impairment. Also, if you’re studying drama you need the people around you to be a little bit whacky.

I come from Sunderland and when I first arrived at Edge Hill I felt quite shy because I was a long way from home, but the friendliness quickly shone through. Asta was a huge help too, because people would come up to me and say what a lovely dog she is.

She comes everywhere with me, including lectures. She never makes a fuss or barks, but she does fall asleep and snore, which can be entertaining.

The tutors and staff have always been very helpful. They will take the time to do handouts for me in extra large print so I can read them more easily, and the library staff are great at helping me get what I need.

The campus is excellent and easy to get round. There are a couple of bits with no pavement, but it’s not too bad and after a while you get used to it. The pedestrian areas around the western campus are particularly good.

Accommodation has never been a problem and I’ve had en suite rooms since I arrived, with special blinds because my visual impairment means I’m light-sensitive.

Hopefully, I’ll graduate at the end of this term and then I’d like to do a Masters degree in screenwriting at Bournemouth or Salford, and eventually become a screenwriter.

There is no module in comedy and so far my experience has been limited to open mic nights in Sunderland. When my course finishes, though, I plan to spend more time developing my act – and deciding whether to give Asta equal billing.”

Rooms, loops and dog loos

Some 6% of Edge Hill’s student population have disabilities and the University goes to great lengths to help them feel at home.

Campus facilities cater for people with specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dyspraxia, hearing and visual impairment, mobility difficulties, mental health issues such as Asperger’s syndrome and autistic spectrum disorders, and ‘hidden’ disabilities, for example, diabetes and heart conditions.

When a disabled student comes to live on campus, a multi-agency approach ensures the accommodation meets his or her needs. Typically, this means liaising with social services, care agencies and charities (such as Guide Dogs for the Blind) to make sure the student has the best possible support.

Adaptations to accommodation are routinely done on an individual basis, while all lecture rooms are accessible, with lighting that can be modified for students with visual impairments. Portable hearing loops are also available in lecture rooms built without these facilities.

A good example of the University’s commitment is the ‘dog loos’ built for the guide dogs living on campus. These are compounds with easily washable paving and are situated across the Edge Hill site.