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Why do we need a disabled students' campaign?

One of the greatest barriers that disabled students face is the attitude of other people. There’s a great deal of misunderstanding and confusion surrounding disabilities, and there is often a stigma attached to ‘coming out’ as a disabled student.

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The NUS Disabled Students’ campaign exists to give disabled students a voice. We campaign to remove the stigma from all disabilities, and to encourage all members of our society to take a positive attitude towards understanding the nature of disability and overcoming prejudices. We support disabled students’ officers and disability groups in colleges and universities across the UK.

Five reasons why we need a disabled students’ campaign

  1. 36 per cent of young disabled secondary school students reported that they could not study subjects of their choice due to poor access to the curriculum and the disabling environment, including attitudes of teachers
  2. Even though it’s against the law, lots of colleges, universities and students’ unions are not fully accessible to disabled people
  3. One third of disabled people aged 16-24 have been discouraged because of their impairment
  4. Only about half of disabled people of working age are in work (50 per cent), compared with 80 per cent of non-disabled people of working age 
  5. Disabled people are more than twice as likely as non-disabled people to have no qualifications

 Priority campaigns

  •  Disabled students in further education
  •  Mental health