Disabled Student Commitment Community of Practice Events

Disabled Students’ Commission launched the Disabled Student Commitment, which is a call to the sector and its organisations to make the step change necessary to create a more inclusive higher education environment for everyone.

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Recent Events

Join us for our community of practice event exploring the journey from commitment to action, this session focuses on disabled students’ on-course experience and will feature presentations from institutions in the South West of England.

Agenda

Time Item Lead Speaker 
10:00-10:15 Welcome and housekeeping James McKenzie, Assistant Director of Student Disability, University of Bristol 
Welcome address from co-hosts Prof. Evelyn Welch, Vice Chancellor & President, University of Bristol (pre-recorded message) and Prof. Amanda Coffey, DVC, UWE Bristol (pre-recorded message) 
Welcome address from DSC Chair Prof. Deborah Johnston, DVC, LSBU 
10:15-10:30 The regulator’s perspective on the disabled student on-course experience. Suzanne Carrie, Head of Student Equality and Welfare, Office for Students 
TOPIC 1:  Embedding Inclusive Practice in Curriculum Design 
DSC Principle 25: “Inclusive practice is embedded in curriculum design. This will help to ensure that anticipatory reasonable adjustments are provided with consistency and certainty in the delivery of learning, teaching and assessment.” 
10:30-10:45 Raising the Bar for Inclusive Teaching, through Developing and Embedding An Accessible Teaching and Learning Best Practice Guide Joel Staley, Deputy Head of Student Wellbeing Services and Kitty Eve, Disability Service Manager, Bath Spa University 
10:45-11:00 Journey to Inclusive Assessment. Nicky Bolt, Disability Lead, and Charlotte Evans, Digital Assessment Lead, UWE Bristol 
11:00-11:15 From Adjustments to Inclusion: Embedding Anticipatory Practice Across the University Steven Lawrence, Deputy Director (Student Access and Advice), University of Bath 
11:15-11:25 Q&A Luke Howson, Head of Student Success, LSBU 
11:25-11:35 Comfort break 
TOPIC 2:  Choice in Assessment 
DSC Principle 26: “Where students are required to undertake an assessment, there is choice in the form of assessment methods used wherever possible and where appropriate, with regards to the competencies and skills being assessed.” 
11:35-11:50 Designed for All: Planning Alternative Assessments from the OutsetDr Mark Bright-Allinson, Associate PVC Learning and Teaching, University of Bristol 
11:50-12:05 Agency in Action: Enabling Direct Dialogue about Assessment Choice Dr Georgie Benford, Deputy Dean School of Health and Social Wellbeing, UWE Bristol 
12:05-12:15 Q&A and discussion Shapna Compton, Interim Head of Student Wellbeing Service, University of Greenwich 
TOPIC 3:  Training and Guidance for Staff 
DSC Principle 27: “All staff teaching and staff supporting a disabled student understand the student’s support requirements, are provided with training and can access guidance.” 
12:15-12:30 Understanding Disability: Strategies for Inclusive Teaching and Student Support. Laura Nettell, Head of Student Wellbeing and Claire Eden, Disability Service Manager, University of Gloucestershire 
12:30-12:45 Building Confidence: A Staff Development Approach to Improving Student Outcomes. James McKenzie, Assistant Director of Student Disability and Elizabeth Back, People Development Partner (Student Disability), University of Bristol 
12:45-12:55 Q&A and discussion Luke Howson, Head of Student Success, LSBU 
12:55-13:00 Final remarks and close Shapna Compton, Interim Head of Student Wellbeing Service, University of Greenwich 

Past Events