Year Two report highlights milestones achieved by the Commitment which tracks progress on improvements on the higher education experience for disabled students.
The Year Two report of the Disabled Student Commitment, published today (15 January), reveals increased momentum in supporting disabled students across higher education.
The report shows that the number of institutions signing up to the voluntary scheme has doubled since the first annual report in 2025, bringing the total number of signatories to 31.
The Disabled Student Commitment tracks progress by higher education providers, sector bodies, regulators and government in improving support for disabled students across the sector while meeting legal obligations and student expectations.
Two years since its launch, the report highlights the notable milestones achieved by the Commitment despite sector-wide challenges:
- London South Bank University and the University of Greenwich are the first institutions to have achieved the Commitment through publication of their action plans.
- Competence Standards Guidance, published in April 2025 and launched at Westminster, provided clarity on implementing competence standards and distinguishing them from modes of assessment.
- Special Interest Groups on Transitions to Employment and Sharing Information delivered webinars and published best practice guidance on technical aspects of the Commitment.
- The first regional Community of Practice has been established, with plans to expand the model nationally.
“There continue to be significant barriers faced by disabled students in higher education. However, two years since the launch of the Commitment, this report celebrates achievements from HE providers and the progress made by sector bodies. It also shares the work of the constituent groups that work to take the Commitment forward. “Signing up to the Disabled Student Commitment remains as important as ever, with sector surveys such as the National Student Survey (NSS) continuing to report a concerning and persistent gap between disabled students’ reported experiences and those of other students. “Together we are building a sector where disabled students will thrive. With strong continued engagement, the coming year promises even greater progress.”
Chair of the Disabled Student Commitment Professor Deborah Johnston, Professor of Development Economics and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Framework), London South Bank University
