Education

Access to higher education

The Government is committed to ensuring our universities remain open to all people with the ability to succeed in higher education.  Higher education institutions have clear duties and responsibilities with regard to ensuring that disabled students do not face discrimination or less favourable treatment whilst applying to, and studying in, higher education.

The Government is establishing a new framework, with increased responsibility on universities to widen participation, as set out in its guidance to the Director of Fair Access. Support for disabled students is one factor which will be considered in Access Agreements by the Office for Fair Access.

• Ensuring higher education is open to all (BIS website)

The Government provides funding to higher education institutions, through the Higher Education Funding Council for England, to help them recruit and support disabled students. In the academic year 2010-11, £13.2 million was provided, and for the year 2011-12, £13 million will be provided.

The Government continues to provide additional direct financial support to disabled students through the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs). DSAs are available to help students in higher education with the extra costs they may incur on their course because of a disability.  Payment does not depend on income and they do not have to be repaid. DSAs are paid in addition to the standard student finance package. 

• Disabled Students’ Allowances (Directgov)

Access to further education and skills training

Further Education and skills training for people with learning difficulties or disabilities are a priority for the Government. “Skills for Sustainable Growth” and “Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth” (November 2010) set out the Government’s strategy for adult skills.

• Skills for Sustainable Growth (BIS website)

Learners with a learning difficulty or disability will have the same entitlement and access to education and training as other learners, helping them to live and work independently and reducing their dependency on the state. Additional learning support is provided to further education colleges and training providers to help meet the additional needs of these learners, enabling them to participate fully in learning.

While colleges and training organisations will determine how best to use their funding, we expect them to be innovative, responsive and accountable and provide learning that specifically meets the needs of learners with learning difficulties or disabilities.

We are reviewing how informal adult community learning can be better prioritised towards the most disadvantaged people in society.

Special educational needs and disability – consultation

The Government is supporting implementation of “Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability”. We will ensure that the further education and skills system continues to play a crucial part as young adults with special educational needs progress from school into adult life.

Consultation ended on 30 June. The Government will publish its detailed proposals, taking account of the responses to consultation, by the end of 2011.

• Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability (Department for Education website)