Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion

This article maps a journey of political and policy change in the response towards disabled students studying in British higher education: changes which were underpinned by dominant perceptions about disability. Findings are drawn from an analysis of archival material linked to UK legislative and po...

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Main Author: Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Stockholm University Press 2011-08-01
Series:Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.sjdr.se/articles/435
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author Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
author_facet Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
author_sort Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
collection DOAJ
description This article maps a journey of political and policy change in the response towards disabled students studying in British higher education: changes which were underpinned by dominant perceptions about disability. Findings are drawn from an analysis of archival material linked to UK legislative and policy development, together with key informant data, which included the views of senior policy staff and disabled people. Recent changes in the response towards disabled students incorporate findings from an in-depth study at a case study university, which involved extensive interviewing of staff members and disabled students. It is argued that disability was perceived as a welfare issue within higher education policy and provision and, consequently, disabled students were treated differently to other groups who were viewed as experiencing inequality, for example, women and people from ethnic minorities. The failure to understand disability in terms of equality and rights, and as a form of oppression, meant that the inequality and the lack of inclusion experienced by disabled students remained unchallenged until more recent legislative developments.
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spelling doaj.art-c327295d5bbb489088b8c4e7695545322023-08-02T03:53:28ZengStockholm University PressScandinavian Journal of Disability Research1501-74191745-30112011-08-0114325426910.1080/15017419.2011.574840364Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusionKaren Beauchamp-Pryor0College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UKThis article maps a journey of political and policy change in the response towards disabled students studying in British higher education: changes which were underpinned by dominant perceptions about disability. Findings are drawn from an analysis of archival material linked to UK legislative and policy development, together with key informant data, which included the views of senior policy staff and disabled people. Recent changes in the response towards disabled students incorporate findings from an in-depth study at a case study university, which involved extensive interviewing of staff members and disabled students. It is argued that disability was perceived as a welfare issue within higher education policy and provision and, consequently, disabled students were treated differently to other groups who were viewed as experiencing inequality, for example, women and people from ethnic minorities. The failure to understand disability in terms of equality and rights, and as a form of oppression, meant that the inequality and the lack of inclusion experienced by disabled students remained unchallenged until more recent legislative developments.https://www.sjdr.se/articles/435discriminationequalitylegislationmarginalizationpower
spellingShingle Karen Beauchamp-Pryor
Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
discrimination
equality
legislation
marginalization
power
title Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
title_full Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
title_fullStr Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
title_full_unstemmed Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
title_short Changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the British higher education system: a journey towards inclusion
title_sort changes in the political and policy response towards disabled students in the british higher education system a journey towards inclusion
topic discrimination
equality
legislation
marginalization
power
url https://www.sjdr.se/articles/435
work_keys_str_mv AT karenbeauchamppryor changesinthepoliticalandpolicyresponsetowardsdisabledstudentsinthebritishhighereducationsystemajourneytowardsinclusion