Insights from the project “Fostering Education Inclusion: Strengthening Accessibility and Support for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education”
Our research reveals a significant gap between institutional aspirations for inclusion and the lived experiences of students and staff. While there is strong recognition of the importance of accessibility, current practices remain fragmented, reactive, and dependent on individual effort rather than embedded systems.
Key Findings at a Glance
• 59% of staff have received no formal training in digital accessibility.
• Support systems are often ad hoc and difficult to navigate.
• Digital platforms are inconsistent and unreliable.
• 54% of staff identify stigma as a key barrier to support.
• Students report stress and academic impact due to accessibility issues.
Main Themes
1. Digital Learning Challenges
Students face difficulties due to inconsistent use of platforms, lack of recorded lectures, and inaccessible learning materials.
2. Teaching and Assessment Barriers
Students struggle with passive teaching methods, rigid assessments, and a lack of flexibility in demonstrating learning.
3. Institutional Gaps
- Low awareness of services (43%)
- Poor coordination
- Physical accessibility issues
4. Faculty Constraints
- Lack of policy clarity (61%).
- Lack of time (72%)
- Lack of training (68%)
Key Insight
Inclusion is limited not by lack of intent, but by lack of systems, training, and coordination.
Recommendations
1. Strengthen Leadership and Institutional Commitment
- Establish a centralised accessibility and inclusion office to coordinate support and policy
- Develop and implement clear institutional guidelines
- Promote inclusive leadership, including visible roles for students with disabilities
2. Invest in Staff Capacity and Support
- Provide practical, hands-on training in inclusive teaching and digital accessibility
- Offer administrative support for tasks such as captioning and accessible materials
- Recognise inclusive teaching in workload and promotion models
3. Improve Digital and Physical Accessibility
- Adopt a single, consistent and accessible Learning Management System (LMS)
- Ensure lecture recording and captioning across courses
- Audit and upgrade campus infrastructure and digital tools to remove barriers
4. Build a Culture of Inclusion
- Reduce stigma through awareness and visibility initiatives
- Improve student awareness of support services
- Create environments where students feel safe to disclose and seek support
What This Means
Moving towards inclusion requires a shift from ad hoc support to a systemic, proactive model embedded across policy, teaching, and infrastructure.
Fostering Digital Inclusion in Higher Education 