Equality and Human Rights Commission

Disabled students have the same right to an effective education as anyone else, and under the Disability Discrimination Act, education providers are expected to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure that this right is fulfilled.

In the context of learning and training, making a reasonable adjustment could include things like:

• making a university or college building accessible by putting in lifts or removing kerbs
• providing a student with learning difficulties with additional support in her written work so that she can achieve her NVQ qualification, or
• arranging for sign language interpretation in lectures for a deaf student.

There is additional funding available to support disabled students in higher and further education.

Funding for disabled students

If you have a disability, or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you may be entitled to claim extra financial help as a student in further or higher education, or as an adult learner. This is paid on top of any standard student finance you may receive.

Sources of extra financial help for disabled students include:

• Disabled Students' Allowances
• Access to Learning Fund
• Disability Living Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Learner Support Fund
• Adult Learning Grants

Find out more about funding and financial support in higher education

Find out more about funding and financial support in further education or adult learning.