Event details

Location: London

This seminar will examine key issues and emerging priorities for improving support for disabled students at universities in England.

The context for discussion includes:

  • Reform of the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which took effect at the start of the last academic year;
  • The doubling of HEFCE funding for disabled students between 2016 and 2018 to £40million; 
  • HEFCE’s ongoing review into models of support for disabled students due to report shortly.


Delegates will discuss latest thinking on tackling barriers to greater participation and success for disabled students, as well as the long term impact of changes to funding policy.

They will examine the challenges for universities in implementing a social model of support for students - including looking at the best ways to move toward a more inclusive curricula, improving learning and teaching environments, issues for university staff and how to ensure consistency in provision between institutions.

Further sessions assess trends in complaints from disabled students, the provision of equipment and services, and progress on how campuses are adapting their facilities to the needs of disabled students.