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The Disabled Student Commitment

Disabled Students' Commission launched the Disabled Student Commitment, which is a call to the sector and its organisations to make the step change necessary to create a more inclusive higher education environment for everyone.

We have used a rigorous process of roundtables, research studies, focus groups, surveys, and discussions. There are many committed staff who support disabled students and many examples of innovative practice across the sector but unfortunately, typically there is not a holistic approach across the institution led by a senior leader as a driver of change. 

Since our inception, we have looked at the evidence presented to us and taken the view that whilst disabled students do remarkably well, too often it is against the odds. The sector needs to make a quantum shift in the way it supports this group of students.

Calls for step-change in the way disabled students access and experience higher education

Read the blog

Consequently, we have developed this Disabled Student Commitment.

The Commitment encourages HEPs and other organisations to look holistically at their practices and policies, influencing their fulfilment of the Commitment in consultation with disabled students. Secondly, HEPs and other organisations were encouraged to outline how they intend to enhance experiences.

Please email dsc@advance-he.ac.uk for any inquiries related to the commitments.

Aim/Objective

The purpose of the Disabled Student Commitment (the Commitment) is to secure an enhanced and improved experience for disabled students within higher education.

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Disabled Student Advisory Group

Apply to become a member of a newly formed Disabled Student Advisory Group. This new group advisory group will draw together disabled students from different levels of study and programme types, to provide lived experience and insight into shaping the direction of disabled student support in higher education and the implementation of the Disabled Student Commitment.  

This exciting opportunity will allow 15 selected disabled students to contribute and shape how institutions and the HE sector embed the principles with the commitment and attend meetings with key sector bodies and HE providers.  

Professional development opportunities such as attending events or speaking at conferences, will also be offered. 

You will be remunerated for your time and attendance at key meetings. Support for your disability will also be in place to facilitate engagement and participation. 

If you would like to take part, please tell us in no more than 250 words why you would like to be part of this group and the skills, qualities and experience that would make you a suitable member. To ensure inclusivity, we accept applications in a range of formats e.g. written format, audio or visual format e.g. a pre-recorded video.

Download the Student Group Guidance document which is hosted on the NADP website.

The deadline for applications has been extended to Monday 12 February, midday.

Please send your application to Dr Anne Rowan at dsc@advance-he.ac.uk and we will endeavour to get back to you to discuss the role and learn a bit more about you.

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Disabled Student Commitment

The purpose of the Disabled Student Commitment (the Commitment) is to secure an enhanced and improved experience for disabled students within higher education. The Disabled Students’ Commission (DSC) calls upon higher education providers (HEPs), Government, funders, agencies, regulators and professional, statutory and regulatory bodies (henceforth referred to as other organisations) to adopt and promote the Commitment.

The Commitment does not seek to replicate or replace legal duties but asks organisations to do more by focusing on how they can improve the disabled student experience. This version is finalised based on responses from our consultation and mirrors the existing principles. 

Read the Disabled Student Commitment report
DSC COVER PAGE
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The Disabled Student Commitment Members

List of universities, colleges, sector bodies and other relevant organisations who have signed up to the Disabled Student Commitment.

To register your interest, you can either sign up by filling out the form here or directly by sending an email to dsc@advance-he.ac.uk, containing a signed letter from your Vice-Chancellor or equivalent member of staff written clearly outlining the following.

Find out more
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Disabled Student Commitment: formal consultation response

The consultation is to have a better understanding from your side to use the wording clearer in the sector. Following the conclusion of a formal consultation with the sector on the Commitment, the Disabled Students' Commission has released a formal response to the results of the survey.

Read the consultation response
DSC response
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Do you have a question about the work of the Disabled Students' Commission (DSC)?

If you have a question about the work of the DSC, please complete the form below and one of our team will contact you soon.

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