The Disabled Students’ Commission has published new guidance today, 27 January 2021, ‘Considerations for disabled applicants applying to undergraduate courses’.
The document contains a number of considerations that will help disabled applicants to pre-empt any barriers that they may encounter and help to ensure that reasonable adjustments are implemented at the outset of their course.
The guidance highlights the process from UCAS application, to things to look out for on open-days and visits and accepting an offer. Other considerations include provision for ‘Mental health and wellbeing’ and ‘Learning and Assessment’. The document also points to the routes and eligibility for funding for reasonable adjustments.
Professor Geoff Layer, Chair of the Disabled Students’ Commission and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, said: “Transition to higher education can be a daunting prospect for applicants. Disabled students may have additional layers of concern and it is extremely important that these issues are pre-empted and addressed in order to create an environment where everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their potential and enjoy an excellent student experience.”
Last week, the Disabled Students’ Commission published its first annual review from the independent group formed to challenge inform and advise universities and colleges in England to improve support for disabled students.
Advance HE has responsibility for providing secretariat support, as well as overseeing the management, coordination and dissemination of research and other DSC outcomes.