As expectations around disability inclusion continue to sharpen across the higher education sector, institutions are being asked not just to comply, but to demonstrate meaningful, measurable progress. With the Office for Students (OfS) developing a new Statement of Expectations on disability, senior leaders now have a critical opportunity to shape what “good” looks like and to ensure their institutions are ready to respond.
Join the Disabled Student Commitment (DSC) online event on 27 May designed to support universities and colleges to move beyond compliance and towards sustainable, embedded practice that genuinely improves disabled students’ experiences.
Statement of Expectations
The emerging OfS Statement of Expectations signals an important shift. It brings together existing regulatory requirements, current evidence on disabled students’ experiences, and increasing alignment with mental health policy. For senior leaders, the challenge is clear:
how do we evidence progress, embed good practice institution‑wide, and ensure accountability at the highest levels?
This online event will explore how the Disabled Student Commitment can act as a blueprint for responding to the Statement of Expectations, supporting institutions to turn intent into action through clear, published action plans.
London South Bank University is now approaching a year since the publication of our Disabled Commitment action plan. We have felt the benefit of having a defined published action plan around enhancing the disabled student experience over the last year.
“The action plan being signed off by senior leadership has enabled us to drive through initiatives that we feel we would have not been able to do otherwise. This is not to say our DSC journey is complete, far from it, but we have a clear path forward that is informed by our disabled students and has institution wide buy in.
“We feel the way that the DSC has required us, alongside our students, to map our progress against all the touchpoints of the student journey will hold us in good stead in meeting the emerging statement of expectations. We have structures in place around delivering our DSC action plan that will be readily aligned to meeting the expectations when they are set out.”Luke Howson, Head of Student Success, London South Bank University
Why attend this online event?
Good representation from DSC member institutions is encouraged, but the event is also highly relevant for those considering joining the Commitment and is open to the sector as a whole.
By attending, participants will contribute to, and benefit from, a set of tangible sector outcomes, including:
- Case studies showcasing how DSC‑aligned action plans are already supporting institutions to meet emerging expectations
- A sector‑led “starter for ten” description of what good practice looks like
- Improved institutional readiness to engage meaningfully with the OfS consultation on regulation
- Increased momentum around DSC sign‑up and publication of action plans
- Published case studies hosted on the Advance HE website, supporting shared learning across the sector
Join the conversation
Responding effectively to the OfS Statement of Expectations will require leadership, collaboration and clarity of purpose. This event offers an opportunity to engage directly with the regulator, learn from peer institutions and help define a shared vision for inclusive practice across higher education.
Join the conversation shaping expectations for disabled students
Senior leaders from across the sector are coming together on 27 May 2026 (10–12 BST) to explore how the Disabled Student Commitment (DSC) is influencing the Office for Students’ emerging statement of expectations on disability.