Unis' woeful showing in disability test

By Cathy Reay

Disabled students in the UK are being penalised when choosing a university, according to an undercover investigation.

A guidebook published last month by a group of disabled students revealed that one in four universities do not have room for hired carers, forcing disabled students to live at home.

Titled University Challenge, the guidebook also found that one in ten disabled university students entering university this year will not have accessible accommodation, 30 per cent of inter-campus transport is inaccessible and only just over half university teaching rooms, study halls and libraries are accessible to disabled students.

The report’s results highlight the fact that non-disabled people are twice as likely than disabled people to have studied at university.

Laura Merry, 20, a University Challenge ambassador and student at Roehampton University told Disability Now that she hopes universities will wake up to making themselves accessible. “When I first arrived at my university, even though there was months of preparation, I was left in a situation where I couldn’t open my bedroom door unaided for weeks.

We want University Challenge to create awareness for universities. It shouldn’t be that places of higher education only make themselves accessible when forced to by a student planning to go there; we don’t want disabled people to be put off going to university by having to work that hard to make sure it’s accessible enough.”

Sir Bert Massie, former chair of the Disability Rights Commission and disability rights campaigner, said: “As a young disabled man I was fortunate in benefiting from a university education and I know what a huge difference it can make. Those of us unable to work with our muscles must use our brains. University Challenge will be a useful resource and will help disabled students studying at university.”

Philip Butcher, chief executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign said: “Every student has the right to make their choice of university based on academic and social concerns, rather than because of the practical facilities available. It is vital to ensure all students have access to the same opportunities. It’s time for the Government to take urgent action and improve services for disabled students across the country.”

• The report is the second in the Trailblazer’s Inclusion Now! campaign which fights for the rights of 16-30 year old disabled people across the UK. To join the campaign or for more information visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org/trailblazers