Reaching Out to Tackle Disability Issues

Experts gathered at Edge Hill University to address the challenges faced by disabled students and staff in higher education at one of a series of equality and diversity conferences held at the Ormksirk Campus.

The Disability Equality Conference - Reaching the 'hard to hear': from mindscape to landscape - follows the University's renewed equality and diversity strategy that goes beyond compliance.

As the government continues to promote widening participation in higher education, Edge Hill is carrying out research to find out more about the needs of disabled students, involving them in strategies to improve access and encourage applications.

The conference welcomed speakers from within and outside Edge Hill, including key note speaker Laura 'Mole' Chapman, Director of Equality Training, who works with employers and staff to promote the equality and inclusion agenda nationally and internationally.

Chris Coleman, Edge Hill's Director of Student Services said:

"The conference was a resounding success and very inspirational. We are very proud of our work in supporting disabled students. Edge Hill is well known for promoting higher education opportunities to people who would not traditionally take up university places. In the area of disability our work to date has resulted in a three-fold increase in the number of students with impairments successfully accessing study at the University. Many of these people have come to us through word of mouth recommendations."

Other speakers at the conference included Edge Hill's Carol Swift, who spoke about inclusive practice for students and staff with sensory support needs and Monira Ahmed from Liverpool University. Monira is Outlook Programme Officer - an award winning cross university programme, of which Edge Hill is a member that enhances employability for people from underrepresented groups.