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 Disability

Disability 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 2001 Made 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 2009/10 1,100 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 Service

Smaller 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

Int Spa Mgt Fd Spa Mgt Sports Coach Culinary Arts Publ Services Hospitality Outdoor Rec Trav & Tour Events Joint Honours Dyslexia within the UDB campus Total students 84 52 66 26 18 57 39 52 97 364 of cohort 13% 10% 6% 8% 11% 8.8% 16.7% 0% 8.20% 11%

Procedures and tools

Student 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