What is the Disabled Students Commitment?
The Disabled Students Commitment (DSC) is a national initiative focused on improving support for disabled students in higher education. It offers a framework for disability inclusion at every stage of the student lifecycle, with 29 practical objectives for universities that cover everything from choosing a course and applying through to life after graduation. What sets it apart is its institution-wide approach to inclusion. This isn't just about disability support services; it's about changes across the board that help embed inclusion in the culture and operations of the university.
Why does it matter to us?
Around a third of Brighton students (32%) tell us that they're disabled, neurodivergent, or have a long-term health condition. It’s not enough that disabled students can access the university; they need to know that they belong here. The DSC offers us both a framework and accountability to make meaningful changes, like reducing the admin burden for disabled students, improving communication practices, and making support easier to access and navigate.
Annie Beckett is a Disability Support Services Manager at Brighton and a Director of the National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP). Annie recently attended the launch of new guidance from the Disabled Students Commitment Advisory Group at the Houses of Parliament. She said:
"The launch of this guidance comes at an opportune time at the university, as we're in the process of signing up for the DSC. With 32% of our students telling us that they have a disability, are neurodivergent, or have another condition, it's vital that our processes reflect their needs. The event was a great opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the sector, including MPs, representatives from the Office for Students, and HE sector leaders."