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Young campaigners from across the South East will be putting universities to the test to find out if the futures of disabled people are being restricted due to inaccessibility and lack of support for disabled students.

Over the coming month young campaigners in the South East will be joining over 100 disabled students to share their experiences and compare new evidence, gathered as part of a survey of universities, in a bid to help the future of disabled students. A league table will be published along with a “How To” guide with tips on the best ways to negotiate university life.

The nature of the investigation includes 15 essential questions that disabled students feel they need answered prior to joining a university, the questions will be posed to student disability and welfare officers at all of the top 100 rated universities in the UK.

This is the second campaign to be organised by the Trailblazers, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s nationwide network of 16 to 30-year-olds fighting for the rights of young disabled people. The decision to uncover the standard of facilities and support for disabled students at universities across the country was taken following a number of negative incidents experienced by Trailblazers’ members. These have included poor disability planning, isolated accessible accommodation, a lack of support from tutors and inflexible timetables.

Commenting on the undercover study, Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, Philip Butcher, said:

“Academic qualifications have become increasingly important in securing a job for all people. If universities are not providing adjustments for disabled students they will be left behind and will not only miss out on higher education, but also be disadvantaged in finding future employment.

“I am shocked that, on average, disabled people are only half as likely to go to university compared to non-disabled people. Many people with muscle disease feel that our university system is still hard to negotiate, and we are now putting this to the test.

“This investigation and survey will help to make disabled students’ lives easier as well as giving young people the opportunity to see their ideas make a difference.”

On hearing of the Trailblazers campaign, Kent Union Welfare officer, Samantha Kennedy told inQuirelive that improving the facilities and access of students with disabilities is one of her utmost priorities going into the new academic year. This includes establishing a ‘Students with Disabilities Campaign’ that will hold monthly forums as well as form a representative committee. An NUS representative will also be supporting ‘Students with Disabilities’ officer, Marsha Todd, at this year’s Welcome Week. Echoing the Trailblazers ethos, Kennedy added “The Students’ with Disabilities Campaign will lead the way in developing policy and campaigns for Kent Union on issues facing students’ with disabilities, as those are the only students who really know what needs to be improved at Kent.”

The results of the Trailblazers investigation are due to be published a week before A-level results day, giving disabled students the opportunity to gauge their prospective university before partaking on their course.

For more information please visit the Trailblazers website