Government reform of Higher Education - Business, Innovation and Skills Committee Contents


Supplementary written evidence submitted by the National Union of Students (NUS)

1.  ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DISABLED PEOPLE

The NUS "Life, Not Numbers" report (2010) into the experiences of disabled students in higher education using personal care packages found a number of issues of real concern:

—  Institution and course choices are too frequently based on the relative level of care students are able to receive, rather than on what otherwise best suits the applicant.

—  Information, advice and guidance (IAG) about support and equipment is sorely inadequate, and where it does exist, information given in one area often does not apply in another.

—  Disabled students are too often caught in disputes between local authorities and higher education institutions (HEIs) about who should be responsible for funding certain types of support. This has a serious impact on aspirations, and can cause people to doubt their decision to attend university altogether.

—  Ambiguity about the funding responsibilities of health authorities, universities and social services is a real problem, and needs to be clearly defined in relation to personal care and support of disabled students in higher education.

The report highlighted a palpable need for improved information, advice and guidance (IAG) for prospective disabled students, setting out their rights and the levels of support that they can expert, according to their needs; and for accessible advocacy and practical support for prospective disabled students when problems are encountered.

The report therefore recommends the establishment of a National Advocacy Service which would:

—  Provide information, advice and guidance (IAG) as to the care disabled students are entitled to—both via a website and otherwise through direct contact with an adviser;

—  Help to address practical issues surrounding the provision of care; and

—  Provide support when this care is not forthcoming.

We would envisage that the National Advocacy Service would be run prominently by disabled graduates.

In addition to the very significant benefits a National Advocacy Service would offer both in encouraging participation in higher education and in supporting disabled students through the university application process, it is likely that the provision of a national service such as this would allow for some efficiencies and savings in the medium-term, given that some of the support that would be offered by the National Advocacy Service is currently offered in a largely "ad hoc" manner by individual HEIs and local authorities. As it stands, support varies dramatically across the country and across different institutions, making it less accessible and less efficient.

13 June 2011


 
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