24 June 2010
Universities unite for Disability Outreach Conference
Over 50 delegates from across South Yorkshire gathered at a Disability Outreach conference yesterday (23 June 2010) as part of a unique scheme involving the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, which aims to raise the aspirations and motivation of potential disabled learners in Higher Education (HE).
The conference, which was held in the Megacentre, was attended by teaching and support staff from schools and colleges, university staff and staff from local authorities. Guests looked at ways to improve disability knowledge, how to increase knowledge of support in HE and how to support the transition process for disabled students into HE.
The day conference also brought together some of the themes which had been discussed as part of the project so far, including the application process for Disabled Student Allowances and disclosure of Mental Health conditions in a HE environment.
Workshops headed up by staff and students from Disability Services at the two Universities were also held, at which guests were encouraged to identify potential barriers to engagement for disabled students and also listen to students who access disability services talking about their own experiences in HE.
The Disability Outreach scheme, which launched in October 2009 and is funded by Aimhigher South Yorkshire, has been working with schools, colleges and community groups in the region to provide information, advice and guidance to potential disabled students. It has aimed to ensure that these students are informed about access and support available whilst studying for a degree, to make the transition to university life as smooth as possible.
Louise Loughlin, Disability Outreach Officer at the University of Sheffield, who organised the conference, said: "The conference was an opportunity to celebrate the good work of the Disability Outreach project over the past year, which has not only provided information, advice and guidance about the support available in HE to potential learners and their key influencers, but also encouraged current students at the Universities to share their own personal experiences to motivate others into taking the steps towards HE.
"We will be continuing the positive work throughout the next academic year, developing a sustainable strategy to allow education providers to embed this information, advice and guidance into their own activities."
Sarah Smart, head of Sheffield Regional Assessment Centre at Sheffield Hallam, said: "The process of getting funding through Disabled Students Allowances can be complex and disabled students don't always realise the wealth of other support available when they go into Higher Education.
"It's great to be able to run events like this that can help ensure students are informed about access and support available while studying for a degree and make their transition to university life is as smooth as possible."
Notes for Editors: For more information, please visit the University of Sheffield´s Disability and Dyslexia Support Service website at the link below.
For further information please contact: Shemina Davis, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2225339 or email shemina.davis@sheffield.ac.uk
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