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| Disabled students are 'penalised' | Disabled students are 'penalised' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| One in five disabled students is being denied access to teaching and study rooms and libraries at universities in Wales, according to a survey. | |
| As part of a guidebook for students with disabilities, undercover research at universities was carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. | As part of a guidebook for students with disabilities, undercover research at universities was carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. |
| It found that of the eight institutions it looked at in Wales, only one had a freshers' guide to disabled facilities. | It found that of the eight institutions it looked at in Wales, only one had a freshers' guide to disabled facilities. |
| The assembly government said it will seriously consider the findings. | The assembly government said it will seriously consider the findings. |
| The research was carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers - a network of 16-30-year-olds who campaign for the rights of young disabled people. | The research was carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers - a network of 16-30-year-olds who campaign for the rights of young disabled people. |
| In Wales, the facilities at eight institutions were looked at: Swansea University, Cardiff University, UWIC Cardiff, Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Glamorgan University, Glyndwr University, and Lampeter University. | |
| Lauren West, 18, from Cardiff, was one of the researchers, said: "Universities need to understand how to make it easier for disabled students to have the same great experience as any other student - attending university is one of the biggest decisions anyone makes. |
| "I knew that because of my disability I would have less choice and it would take longer and a lot more planning for me to decide on the right university. | "I knew that because of my disability I would have less choice and it would take longer and a lot more planning for me to decide on the right university. |
| "That doesn't even include the extra struggle to get all of the care arrangements in place." | "That doesn't even include the extra struggle to get all of the care arrangements in place." |
| Results showed that five of the universities said there were building restrictions in place on some of their properties that would delay the installation of lifts or other adaptations. | Results showed that five of the universities said there were building restrictions in place on some of their properties that would delay the installation of lifts or other adaptations. |
| None of the eight said that every one of its buildings had at least one accessible toilet with a hoist. | |
| Five had no disabled union group or society, however all eight had accessible accommodation and rooms for personal assistants in their halls of residence. | Five had no disabled union group or society, however all eight had accessible accommodation and rooms for personal assistants in their halls of residence. |
| Consider report | Consider report |
| Phillip Butcher, of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "Every student has the right to make their choices of university based on academic and social concerns rather than because of the practical facilities available. | Phillip Butcher, of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: "Every student has the right to make their choices of university based on academic and social concerns rather than because of the practical facilities available. |
| "It is vital to ensure all students have access to the same opportunities." | "It is vital to ensure all students have access to the same opportunities." |
| In response a spokeswoman for the assembly government said: "The assembly government regards it as critically important that our educational institutions fully respond to the needs of all learners including disabled learners. | In response a spokeswoman for the assembly government said: "The assembly government regards it as critically important that our educational institutions fully respond to the needs of all learners including disabled learners. |
| "All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Wales are obliged to produce a Disability Equality Scheme which sets out the steps the institution is taking to meet the needs of disabled learners." | "All Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Wales are obliged to produce a Disability Equality Scheme which sets out the steps the institution is taking to meet the needs of disabled learners." |
| She said premium payments for disabled students were paid to support institutions and there was a drive to further the involvement of disabled students, as part of developing a more inclusive culture. | She said premium payments for disabled students were paid to support institutions and there was a drive to further the involvement of disabled students, as part of developing a more inclusive culture. |
| "The assembly government will nevertheless seriously consider the findings of the report in formulating its new higher education strategy, action plan and targets for the sector," she said. | "The assembly government will nevertheless seriously consider the findings of the report in formulating its new higher education strategy, action plan and targets for the sector," she said. |
| "The newly-appointed Disability Equality Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons will also be examining this issue." | "The newly-appointed Disability Equality Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons will also be examining this issue." |
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