Disabled Student Commitment action plan published

The Disabled Student Commitment, published by the Disabled Student Commission and supported by AdvanceHE, is an important sector framework to secure an enhanced and improved experience for disabled students within higher education. Southampton Solent University is only the fourth university to publish its action plan and achieve this status.

Ahead of the publication of the OfS Statement of Expectations in relation to disability in early 2027, the commitment brings together the university’s ongoing work to improve access, participation and outcomes for disabled students, while setting out a clear framework for further progress across all areas of university life.

At the heart of the commitment is a simple but powerful pledge:

“At Southampton Solent University, we are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible and supportive environment where disabled students can thrive. We recognise that every student’s experience is unique and are dedicated to working in partnership with students to remove barriers, enable participation, and ensure equitable outcomes.”

The commitment reflects Solent’s wider ‘career-ready’ ambition to deliver an outstanding student experience that enables every individual to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances. It recognises that accessibility and inclusion are shared responsibilities that extend across the whole institution, from academic delivery and assessment to support services and campus life.

Building on the university’s Access and Participation Plan, the commitment outlines how Solent will continue to remove barriers for disabled students by strengthening early support, improving access to information and embedding inclusive practices throughout the student journey. It also reinforces the university’s focus on creating learning environments where students can fully participate and achieve their potential.

A key area of focus is ensuring students can access the right support from the moment they join the university. This includes developing more connected approaches to support services, improving communication and ensuring teaching and assessment are designed with inclusion in mind from the outset.

The commitment also highlights the importance of equipping staff with the knowledge, skills and accountability needed to make inclusive practice part of everyday decision making. By building capability across the university, Solent aims to ensure that accessibility becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Student voices have played an important role in shaping the commitment. The university will continue to work closely with students and the Students’ Union to understand lived experiences, identify areas for improvement and ensure support remains relevant, effective and impactful.

While significant progress has already been made, the university acknowledges that creating a fully inclusive environment is an ongoing process. The Disabled Student Commitment action plan represents both a statement of intent and a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring all students are empowered to thrive and achieve their ambitions.