Universities and educational providers in the UK have a legal duty to remove barriers in education due to disability, under the Equality Act 2010. Adjustments should help to ensure that disabled students have the same access to education as everyone else.

However, disabled students were left without support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over half considered leaving full-time education, found a survey of pupils at 69 UK universities and higher education providers. Many students have said they felt “left behind,” “alienated,” and “forgotten” by university staff.

According to a survey of disabled students across the UK, only 23% had received the support they needed at university. The research by Disabled Students UK concluded that “failure to provide access for disabled students is a widespread issue.”

Of those surveyed, 63% of students who tried to get disability support during the pandemic found the process had been slowed down or put on hold. This number was even higher among international and EU students, at 73.5%.

Campaigners are calling on universities to maintain a hybrid of online and in-person learning. One report said: “Disabled students have been requesting lecture recordings for years. During the pandemic, it has suddenly been implemented because abled students need them.” Many are concerned that changes such as this will be reserved, despite being beneficial for disabled students.

Image from UCL