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Disabled Student Commitment – Year-one report

19 Sep 2024 | Advance HE Advance HE publishes the Year-one report on behalf of the Disabled Student Commitment, highlighting encouraging progress and setting out plans to build momentum

The Disabled Students Commitment Year-one report is published today, highlighting the work in the sector to ‘inform, influence and challenge’ the nature of support provided for disabled students in higher education.

The Commitment is a voluntary, non-regulatory scheme that allows Higher Education Providers (HEPs) to show the progress they are making supporting disabled students. 

The Commitment also calls on sector bodies, regulators and Government to show the progress they are making in improving support for disabled students. It has 43 principles (of which 26 are for HEPs) and is achieved by responding to the relevant principles and the needs identified in a particular HEP or sector body. HEPs are asked to produce and publish an annual plan of action.

Since the commitment was launched in October 2023, 15 HEPs have signed up to the Commitment, representing a broad range of HEPs, in terms of mission, size and location (see notes below). Signing up to the Commitment ensures resources are used effectively and that activities reflect sector best practice. It is also an opportunity to consult directly with their disabled students to carry out a tailored approach.

Alongside the official sign-up process for HEPs to action the 26 relevant principles within the Commitment, sector agencies, regulators and government are engaged in the Commitment. 

Among a number of examples from these groups, the reports shows that: the DWP is continuing to expand the Passport/Planner strategy, and an Adjustment Planner for British Sign Language Users will be launched later this year; UCAS has identified several ways to enhance its information, advice and guidance (IAG) for disabled students; the QAA has updated its guidance for Subject Benchmark Statement Advisory Group members to take account of the Commitment; and Advance HE, through the relaunched Professional Standards Framework, has included the requirement for Fellows to ‘evidence an understanding of learners, particularly in the context of disability.’

The report finally announces the membership of its Core Planning Group, Advisory Group, Partnership Group and Student Advisory Group, all working hard to take forward the work of the Commitment into its second year.

Professor Deborah Johnston, Chair of the Core Planning Group said, “It’s very encouraging to see progress by both HEPs and sector organisations in their work to meet the Commitment. Disabled students are entitled to both access and enjoy all the benefits of higher education. 

"We appreciate that HEPs will want to make progress during a period of funding and resource constraints. We are looking for the best ways to share improved practice around technical aspects of the Commitment, by collating existing resources and guidance.

"In the report, we share a mapping template to support HEP sign-up and we encourage you to sign-up today!”

Higher Education Providers signed-up to the Commitment to date

Birmingham City University

Brunel University London 

Edinburgh Napier University 

London South Bank University 

New College Durham

Nottingham Trent University

The Open University 

The University of Central Lancashire 

The University of Greenwich 

The University of Hertfordshire 

The University of Law 

The University of Liverpool 

University College Birmingham 

University of Exeter

Solent University

In the media...

Commitment to disabled students

Some 15 higher education institutions signed up to the Disabled Student Commitment in its first year. This is according to Advance HE’s year one report, which shows the progress of the voluntary, non-regulatory scheme among signatories, sector bodies, and government departments. The report says that Advance HE is “eager to expand its membership,” and is introducing additional avenues of support including a mapping template and awareness-raising work across the UK. On Wonk Corner, Livia Scott wonders why sign ups remain on the lower side. Wonkhe Daily Briefing 19 September

We feel it is important for voices to be heard to stimulate debate and share good practice. Blogs on our website are the views of the author and don’t necessarily represent those of Advance HE.

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