Disabled students to shape national guidance on disability support

The University of Wolverhampton will ensure that all students with disabilities have access to inclusive education and personal provisions during their studies, via an exciting new research initiative.

The Centre for Research in Education and Social Transformation (CREST) in the School of Education at the University of Wolverhampton is partnering with the University of Plymouth and the University of Birmingham for this impactful project, working with UK and Disability Rights UK and an advisory panel that includes disability support and students’ union staff. 

The Addressing Disparity of Provision project has been developed in response to guidance from the Office for Students’, with the goal of equitably and appropriately meeting the academic and personal support needs of disabled students throughout their studies. 

Supported by a grant of around £180,000, the project was selected from almost 150 applications and is one of just 11 that were awarded funding through the Office for Students’ Equality in Higher Education Innovation Fund. The funding aims to support the higher education sector in addressing sector-wide risks that affect a student's opportunity to access, succeed in, and progress from higher education.  

Zeta Williams-Brown, Professor for Inclusive Education at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “This is a valuable opportunity for us to work with disabled students alongside academics, support staff and relevant organisations that include Disability Rights UK and Disabled Students UK. Our students have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can and should inform inclusive practice.  

“This project provides opportunity for the creation of national disabled student-led and informed recommendations for the sector, on both inclusive ‘academic’ and ‘personal’ reasonable adjustments. Findings from this project will produce a national free CPD programme with impact evaluation that will aim to support developments in inclusive higher education practice.”

The project will run until February 2027, and should result in the first government set of student-led disability guidance, including continuing professional development (CPD) programmes for academic and support staff working in UK universities. Disabled students currently studying at each of the three universities will co-lead the venture, contributing their experience and knowledge to form core elements of the work. 

Dr Suanne Gibson, Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and Principal Investigator from the University of Plymouth who is leading on the project, said: “Approximately 20% of home students in the UK are disabled. Every one has an individual academic and personal profile which, if accessed and fully responded to, offers the university expert knowledge regarding their anticipatory duties and reasonable adjustments.

“Establishing inclusive practices and provisions from day one of a student’s degree is key to ensuring their university experience is a positive one. Through this project, our student co-researchers and participants will work alongside academics, support staff and other organisations to co-create and deliver sustained models of inclusive practice in higher education.”