MSPs are set to examine whether the university admissions system is failing disabled people

MSPs are set to examine whether the university admissions system is failing disabled people

Scotland’s higher education sector is under scrutiny after Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee heard young disabled people are more likely to miss out on a university education than their peers.

Universities in Scotland receive large amounts of public money. However, we want to consider if they are doing everything they can to support disabled people

Christina McKelvie MSP

The committee is now seeking to hear from disabled people about their experiences of the university admissions system.

In particular, MSPs will look at how public money is being spent and whether universities are using it to tackle the challenges faced by potential students who are disabled.

Convener Christina McKelvie MSP, said: “Although the Scottish Government’s draft budget is not due to be published until later this year, we are keen to begin to consider how public money is supporting the promotion of equalities across all areas of life in Scotland.

“Universities in Scotland receive large amounts of public money. However, we want to consider if they are doing everything they can to support disabled people. We know both the importance of higher education to life chances, and that all too often in many areas of life disabled people face an uphill struggle.

“We hope our scrutiny of the higher education admissions process can make our institutions more responsive and sensitive to the needs of prospective disabled students, and ensure that the public pound is a force for equalities and human rights.”