A plan by the Disabled Students’ Commission (DSC) to promote greater inclusivity by introducing a Disabled Student Commitment into universities and colleges across the UK has been welcomed by the sector, says a report out today.
The report analyses the responses of 70 disabled students, academics and sector organisations to a consultation by DSC into the introduction of the Commitment.
Sector responses
As well as individual students, those responding included Universities UK, the Department for Education, General Medical Council and UK Research and Innovation.
The Commitment is being developed by the DSC to drive a step-change in the offering available to disabled students in higher education and the organisation plans to launch the framework later this Spring.
Opportunity for success
“Our higher education sector must be a place where disabled students can thrive and enjoy the same opportunity for success,” said Professor Geoff Layer, chair of the DSC which was formed in March 2020 and is funded by the Office of Students for a duration of three years.
“The Disabled Student Commitment will provide institutions with a structured and comprehensive framework to measure themselves against.
“It complements the pockets of good practice that are evident in the sector and its purpose is to be a driver for real change.
Support for Commitment
“For this reason, I am extremely grateful to those who responded to our consultation and have expressed such firm support as well as offering us expert and detailed feedback that is helping us to refine the Commitment still further.”