Disability
Just 29% of students in England with disabilities receiving DSA allowance – analysis
Students complain of bureaucracy and delays when applying for disabled students’ allowance
The report was by ex-paralympic swimmer Lord Chris Holmes. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/PA Images
The report was by ex-paralympic swimmer Lord Chris Holmes. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA Archive/PA Images
Sally Weale
Thu 10 Mar 2022 01.00 ESTLast modified on Thu 10 Mar 2022 01.02 EST
Support for students with disabilities should be improved, the government has been urged, after analysis showed that fewer than a third receive the disabled students’ allowance (DSA) meant to help them access and thrive in higher education.
According to a report, just 29% of students in England and Wales with a known disability received the allowance in 2019/20 while those who have been through the application process complained of bureaucracy, long delays, inconsistent quality of support and a lack of communication.
“A nightmare,” said one student, “a full-time job” said another describing the challenge of coordinating support which is rarely in place at the start of a course and can take months to secure, delaying students’ progress and putting them at an unfair disadvantage.
The report by ex-paralympic swimmer Lord Chris Holmes [...]