Accessibility, more so the lack of accessibility, for people with disabilities, has been an ongoing issue. Even in 2022, disabled people still face accessibility issues in most places, even places that claim to be accessible. The University of Brighton states that they are accessible to students with disabilities, including those with disabilities that affect their mobility. I interviewed Lauren Perry; a third-year Language and Linguistic student who is a wheelchair user to investigate her reality of studying at The University of Brighton.
Lauren explained that although the university states they are “an accessible university, I would say it is not accessible to me at all.” She went on to explain that the university has an extremely supportive Disability and Dyslexia team who will
do their best to help however they can, "but it can be hard because as a whole, the university is not very accessible.” This has led to an inability to attend most lectures and seminars, meaning Lauren is excluded from vital information for her
modules and assignments. Lauren goes on to say that “although the buildings have accessibility signs and automatic door openers, they do not work and are not exactly accessible to wheelchair users.” She feels “the university do enough to stay within the necessary regulations, but could do so much more to make sure campuses are safe and accessible for all disabled students,” an example given were the door frames “which are just about as wide as my wheelchair or not wide enough."
“I think I’m capable of getting higher grades.” Lauren explained that during the pandemic, with all the resources and online help, she was able to reach her full potential. “Throughout the lockdown, I got a first in all my work. When everyone went back onto campus, my grades started to slip again, and I think that was quite evidently because I wasn’t able to access the campus or the resources as most things were no longer being put online.” Lauren stated that she only has access to a very small percentage of the resources she needs to do well in her studies. “No lectures and seminars are recorded despite most other universities doing this with Lecture Capture. I know there’s a lot of students with a variety of disabilities, including invisible disabilities, that struggle with accessing resources.” Lauren also stated that she became quite isolated from other students and her fellow course-mates due to not being able to access the student union. “I’ve completed my whole degree at home."
Lauren explained that “the university needs to speak with disabled students and listen to them.” Lauren believes all content should be recorded as not only is it useful and essential for the progression and success of disabled students, it is very helpful for able-bodied students and would raise overall grades. “Until you see how difficult it is for me to access the campuses, you can’t truly grasp the situation. You won’t believe it until you see it kind of thing.”
It has been made clear that we can do a lot more for The University of Brighton's disabled students to create an accessible environment and enable them to reach their full potential.
Have your say! If you think we need to change and there needs to be more talks and focus groups with the university’s disabled students, then sign this PETITION!