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Disabled
students get more rights under the Disability Discrimination Act
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Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) colleges and universities
are now obliged to make alterations – such as step-free routes
and dropped kerbs - to buildings to improve access.
The legislation is supported by the Disability Rights Commission who
say that too many disabled students do not apply for places because
access is poor. Research they conducted in 2002 showed that almost
33% of people who chose not to go into further or higher education
felt they were prevented from doing so by their impairment.
This is the latest measure in the process of applying disability legislation
to further and higher education. In 2002 a fairer admissions procedure
was introduced, and in 2003 institutions had a duty to provide extra
services and equipment like large print and sign language interpreters.
From 2006 establishments covered by the current legislation will have
a duty to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity
for disabled people.
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