3rd International Conference - "Education for All" 2011

Warsaw welcomes disabled travellers

Building on Past Successes at Derby University

Prepared by: Ben Bailey, Senior Assistant Registrar

University of Derby

and Geoff Shirt, Lecturer and Disability Co-ordinator

School of Culture & Lifestyle

University of Derby Buxton

Presented at conference by Geoff Shirt

About this presentation …

• Background to the university – high % non-traditional students• UN Convention of Human Rights for Disabled

People• UK Legislation as affecting disabled people• Evolution of university provision• Provision at University of Derby through the

Student Wellbeing Service

The University of Derby

Derby City Centre faculties:• Art, Design & Technology• Derbyshire Business School• Education, Health & Sciences

Buxton Town Centre site• School of Culture & Lifestyle

UN Convention on Disability Rights

• Adopted by UN Dec 2006• Opened for signature March 2007• Came into force May 2008• Articles enshrining in convention the rights of disabled people• Moving from medical model to rights and social model of

viewing disability and disabled people• Sets an international benchmark against which states can be

measured• Promotion of dignity independence and access• In UK context complements existing legislation

UK Legislation on DisabilityDisability Discrimination Act, 1995 made discrimination for a reason related to disability unlawful. Related to

service providers, employers and landlords

Disability Discrimination Act, 1999 had to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled people, such as providing

extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services

Special Educational Needs Act 2001Made specific provisions for dealing with access to education, the need to make reasonable adjustments, and importantly an anticipatory duty

Disability Discrimination Act, 2004 other 'reasonable adjustments' in relation to the physical features of their

premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

UK Legislation on Disability

Disability Discrimination Act 2007

amended to extend the coverage of DDA to

further groups of people

UK Legislation on Disability. cont

Equality Act 2010• Consolidates under one piece of legislation UK law on

discrimination• Extends the law with respect to disabled people:

– includes for the first time as illegal indirect discrimination

– extends further the definition of disability and who has rights

– strengthens the law on the making charges for additional services

Evolution of UK University provision

Universities had duties as employers, services providers and as a landlords from 1995 onwards and some progress was made

2001 Critical shift when legislation applies directly to the education environment and post 16 education through SENDA

Audit of physical campus and residence facilities

Audit of Teaching and Learning

Action plan initially to achieve compliance

2001 – Present

Ongoing development to achieve best practice

Provision of direct government support to disabled students through D S A

Growth in Student Services provision in this area to respond to duty to provide education access services and growth in participation from disabled students in HE

Ongoing development responding to evolution

of legislative changes described previously

Evolution of U o D provision

Model of embedded responsibility and co-ordination of support for students in academic and support areas

Disability Co-ordinators and Disability Co-ordinator’s Group working to a University Executive level Equality & Diversity Committee.

Focus on cross institution approaches benefiting all students including disabled people rather than exclusively disabled people

Emphasis on outreach and pre-entry preparation, support and guidance to promote participation and readiness for study in HE

Observed Trends at the University

Disabled students participating in HE:

2003/04 500

2007/08 1,100

2009/10 1,700

Skills & Employability Curriculum Framework

• In conjunction with Higher Educational Academy

• Integration within changing nature of workplace

• programme level rather than central provision

• Adherence to the QAA subject benchmark statements

• Pre-cursor to the now widespread PDP

UoD Student Wellbeing Service Part of an integrated holistic model of service

provision seeking to promote overall wellbeing and the skills and tools to succeed personally and academically

A programme of support for disabled students

Embeds and includes support for disabled students in mainstream student support services

Programme of support starts with pre-entry preparation for study through to graduation

Support available

Services

Funding• Disabled Students Allowance

Issues• Funding does not always cover all needs for those with

most complex needs• Continuing cultural and attitudinal challenges in the

perceptions of disabled people

Success to date

Significant focus and efforts have been directed to the retention of disabled students.

UoD success in this area has meant that against an overall University picture of 89% disabled students retention is at 93%

More recently though the focus is on completion and award and whilst this is still positive we are retaining but not necessarily towards award in the desired timeframe, and completion for disabled students is approximately 80% as opposed to a university figure of 75%.

Grade II listed building

Presents some real and unique challenges

for all students with a disability

The Buxton Context & Student Wellbeing ServiceSmaller student body

Closer knowledge and relationship with student body

Resource challenges related to size of operation

Multi-function support staff

Promotes the ethos of holistic view of the student

Promotes the collaborative approach across the Faculty to addressing problems and sharing ownership

Promotes creativity and innovation to promote independence

University of Derby Buxton

School of Culture & Lifestyle:Management Degrees include: • Countryside • Events• Hospitality• Public Services• Outdoor Recreation• International Spa• Sports Coaching• Travel & Tourism

University of Derby Buxton

School of Culture & Lifestyle:Management Degrees include: • Countryside • Events• Hospitality• Public Services• Outdoor Recreation• International Spa• Sport Coaching• Travel and Tourism

University of Derby Buxton

School of Culture & Lifestyle:Management Degrees include: • Countryside • Events• Hospitality• Public Services• Outdoor Recreation• International Spa• Sport Coaching• Travel and Tourism

Students declaring disability 2009/10

90% diagnosed with Dyslexia

15% other disabilities

Number higher

Total students of cohort

Int Spa Mgt 84 13%

Fd Spa Mgt 52 10%

Sports Coach 66 6%

Culinary Arts 26 8%

Publ Services 18 11%

Hospitality 57 8.8%

Outdoor Rec 39 16.7%

Trav & Tour 52 0%

Events 97 8.20%

Joint Honours 364 11%

Dyslexia within the UDB campus

Procedures and toolsStudent Support Plan (SSP) – stages involved:

1: Identification of student with a disability/ multiple

disabilities at initial enquiry

2: Application for funding and communication with

potential student

3: Drawing up of likely student need in order to

ensure equality with other students.

4: Agreement of SSP with student prior to arrival

at university wherever possible (links to funding)

5: Dissemination of SSP by Disability Coordinator

to student’s Programme Leader who disseminates

to Module Leader

6: Each Module leader acknowledges receipt of SSP

to Disability Coordinator and arranges to meet

each student

7: Disability Coordinator ensures all ML aware of

all student with a SSP.

8: Student takes ownership of the SSP and is free to

take up the support and advises at to suitability

and appropriateness for the student journey

A Typical Student Support Plan Outlines the following:

• Responsibilities of student

• Responsibilities of Lecturers

• Responsibilities of staff regarding placements

• Responsibility of Library Staff

• Responsibilities of Examinations staff

• Responsibilities of Facilities/Accommodation staff

• Responsibilities of the Support and Advisory Service

Buxton Wellbeing Service

Based on the premise that:

• Prevention better (and cheaper) than cure

• Anticipatory rather than reactionary

Student Wellbeing Service at Buxton

A more intimate, personalised service for Buxton students with a disability:

• support workers (e.g. Dyslexia Subject specific)• equipment and loan service• study-related costs• Get Ahead Event ( E & D)• Top Up Zone• Drop-in clinics• Quick Queries stand

But some challenges remain . . .

• Employability

• Placement opportunities

• Personal Development Planning

• Career guidance provision

• EQUALITY with all other students

with associated levels of

EMPOWERMENT