Disabled Students

• In the UK, 19% of working age adults identify as disabled, yet disabled people are almost half as likely to have an undergraduate degree than non-disabled people (Office for Students, 2021)
• A rise in disabled students in HE: In 2021, 83,220 disabled students applied to HE – a record high – with 80% getting a place at university or college. The 105% increase in students sharing an impairment or condition means disabled students now represent 14% of all HE applicants in the UK, compared to just 7% in 2012 (UCAS, 2022)
• Mental Health conditions: Significant increase in students reporting a mental health condition, as the number more than doubled between 2014/15 and 2018/19, as well as an increase of 90% in students reporting a social communication or autism spectrum disorder in the same time period.
• Also, there was an increase of 62% in that time period of students disclosing more than one condition or impairment.
• There are a number of possible reasons for these increases, including an increase in diagnosis in the general population and willingness of students to disclose, as well as efforts to increase access to higher education by those in traditionally underrepresented or marginalised groups. (Arriving at Thriving, 2020
• Discrimination and Harassment: According to NUS (National Union of Students) in 2011, 43% of disabled students reported altering their behaviour, personal appearance, or daily patterns to avoid hate incidents. This often meant going out less, which in some cases led to respondents becoming socially withdrawn and isolated. Some tried to conceal their impairment, sometimes to the extent of causing themselves pain.
• Cuts to Financial Support: The Disabled Students Allowance is currently available to students in the United Kingdom who have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficult. Government cuts to the DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) jeopardise disabled students’ access and success in higher education.
• Costs associated with accessibility: this can surround cost of accessible accommodation; medical prescriptions; the £200 charge for DSA equipment; the cost of medical evidence required for needs assessments or mitigating circumstances forms (Hepi, 2020)
• Living and social experiences: 26% of respondents to a new report on disabled students in HE called “Arriving at Thriving” stated that they always or often feel excluded from social activities, societies and clubs because of a lack of disability awareness. (Hepi, 2020) Hopefully, we can bridge that gap with our Disability Student Community meet ups and societies paving the way in disability awareness and support.
• In Parliament’s Invisible Disabilities in Education and Employment Briefing, it is estimated that 70-80% of disabilities are invisible. (2023)
• Disabled students are twice as likely to identify as LGBTQ+ (UCAS, 2022)

There are many different societies you can get involved with, such as the below and many more in our Sharing Activity category:

Disability Society help raise awareness and create an inclusive community where students who face barriers due to a variety of long-term illnesses and conditions can meet, socialise and promote accessibility in academia. There is no such thing as "not disabled enough"!

Mental Health and Wellbeing Society work towards de-stigmatising and educating others about all Mental Health conditions, while also raising awareness in the local area and fundraising for charities.

British Sign Language Society aim to help the development of BSL skills for those interested in learning. Everyone from beginner-level to advanced is welcome to join in.

Every year we celebrate Disability History Month, as part of our wider More Than a Month campaign. Celebrating the history of the disability rights movement, commemorating the achievements of disabled people in society. This month is to highlight the importance of disability history and how we can learn from the past to improve the representation of disabilities within our society.

Disabled student-led and focussed campaign wins include

• Educational Psychologist Assessments – Guild campaign work has fought for the University to fund the full cost of these assessments, which are required for accessing support for diagnosed conditions such as Dyslexia, ADHD, Dyspraxia & Dyscalculia. The Officers have also worked for the uni to pay these costs upfront, and better publicise the support on offer for disabled students.
• Prioritising Mental Health – Officers have done extensive work on improving vital mental health services at the University. Wins include reducing waiting list times, an increase in counselling staff and upskilling staff with further training.

1. The A Word

2. Special

3. Silent Witness

4. Sex Education

5. One Day at a Time

6. The Society

7. No Offence

8. The Politician

9. The Last Leg

10. Maniac

11. Deaf U

12. Love on the Spectrum

13. Breaking Bad

14. Line of Duty

15. Speechless

1. Alex Brooker: Disability + Me

2. Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot

3. Ray

4. The Peanut Butter Falcon

5. Still Alice

6. Take His Legs

7. The Fundamentals of Caring

8. The Theory of Everything

9. A Beautiful Mind

10. Daredevil

11. A Quiet Place – Part 1 + 2

12. My Left Foot

1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

4. The Amazing Edie Eckhart by Rosie Jones

5. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

6. I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves by Ryan O’Connell

• Mind’s Guide to Learning Disability support - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/learning-disability-support/
• Autism Radio UK Autism Radio UK - was established to remove barriers of social communication for people with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. It broadcasts music, interviews, talks, competitions and topics about Autism related issues. You can listen to the station live from their website. www.autismradiouk.co.uk
• Disability Direct - Disability Direct is a directory of disability groups (charities and voluntary organisations), companies and service providers from all around the UK providing support and resources to disabled people. It also includes disability news, articles and events. www.disabilitydirect.org
• UCAS’ Disabled Students page - This is designed to take students through the entire university process, so begins with information about applications, but further down the page they have all the information you will need about applying for DSA (Disabled Students Allowance), support with transitions and Fitness to Practice info to keep you informed of your rights https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/disabled-students
• Disability Rights - UK publishes a comprehensive guide to applying to higher education, and getting support – Read Into Higher Education
• Diversity and Ability - is an organisation that works to improve inclusivity. Check out their guide to free resources to support disabled and neurodiverse students. We also recommend you read their DSA: Find your way page.
• The National Association of Disability Practitioners - (NADP) works with professionals who support disabled students in post-16 education. Read their blog article, Working for a successful student journey for disabled students, which explains who to contact at your university or college, and how a disability adviser can support you through your journey to uni.
• For a student’s own experience with mental health related conditions at university, read Zoe’s story.
• Ability Net - helps disabled people access and use technology, and offers free advice and resources — how they can help you and what support you may be eligible for.
• Student Minds and UMHAN - have created three joint blogs: Disclosing a mental health difficulty on your UCAS application, The benefits of disclosing a mental health difficulty, and Disclosing a mental health difficulty: your rights

• Guild Advice Free, independent, non-judgemental advice on a range of topics including academic issues, wellbeing, accommodation, and university life.
• University of Liverpool Disability Student Support Part of the University’s Student Services offering help and advice to disabled students, including campus accessibility, exam arrangements, funding and how to access disability support for your studies:
• University of Liverpool Support for Disabled International Students This section of the University’s Student Services details information about help and support the university can provide to international, disabled students: 
• University of Liverpool Library Disability Support Assistance Comprehensive list of all accessibility support offered by the libraries, including AccessAble guide maps as well as how to borrow books, request specific material and book study spaces: 
• University of Liverpool Money Advice and Guidance Part of the University’s Student Services offering money managing advice, on things like loans, financial support for carers, emergency short term loans and support schemes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic such as quarantine cost support.