A new group will examine the barriers faced by disabled
students in higher education and improve support for them
to succeed, the Universities Minister has announced today
(27 June).
Speaking at the Festival of Higher Education, praised the work that
is set to be undertaken by the new Disabled Students’
Commission, which is being developed by the Office for
Students and will help the group thrive in higher
education.
The Minister’s announcement follows the package of measures
launched by the Prime Minister on Tuesday to tackle
barriers faced by disabled people, including in employment
and housing, so they can fully participate in society.
Mr Skidmore wants to highlight the barriers disabled
students face in higher education, and has instructed the
Commission to identify and promote good practice which
helps those with disabilities have a positive experience at
university. The Commission, formerly Disabled Students’
Sector Leadership Group (DSSLG), will use the DSSLG’s
existing guidance for providers on supporting disabled
students inclusively and look at what more needs to be
done.
The Minister is also encouraging institutions to make sure
their access and participation plans, being submitted to
the OfS this summer to implement in 2020-21, include
ambitious actions that set out how they will improve
equality of opportunity for students from all backgrounds –
ensuring disabled students are carefully considered within
their plans.
Universities Minister said:
Living with a disability should never be a barrier to
entering higher education and as Universities Minister, I
am determined to ensure disabled students get the support
they need to have a positive, life-changing university
experience.
There are a record number of students with a disability
going to university, but we must do more to level the
playing field and improve the experience and outcomes for
disabled students.
It’s my personal priority that those living with a
disability have an equal chance to succeed in higher
education. I want to see all universities face up to
their responsibilities and place inclusion at the heart
of their access and participation agenda.
The Commission will look at approaches which work well to
improve support for disabled students, such as more
inclusive curricula, restructuring support for students and
enhancing learning and teaching environments.
The group of expert commissioners will include appointments
from the sector, students and employers, and will offer
independent advice to the Government and the OfS on issues
affecting disabled students.
Last month, Minister Skidmore attended a round table event
at Birmingham University to discuss what more can be done
to improve the student experience of visually impaired
students. The Minister highlighted the need for
universities to face up to their responsibilities to be
truly inclusive and ensure every student has equal chance
to succeed.
Higher education providers have legal responsibilities to
support disabled students under the Equality Act 2010.
Eligible students can apply for support through the
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for equipment and
resources. Research published earlier this year showed that
disabled students receiving the allowance had a higher
continuation rate (91 per cent) than students without a
disability (90 per cent).
Minister for Disabled People said:
It’s unacceptable that disabled students still have to
overcome barriers to access an education which many
others take for granted. While Britain has a
world-leading university system, we must do more to
ensure it’s truly inclusive.
The new Disabled Students Commission will help to level
the playing field for disabled students so that everyone
can enjoy the benefits a university education can bring.
