HEFCE guidance for Aimhigher partnerships highlights the importance of targeting disabled learners as part of Aimhigher activities and states that people with a disability or a specific learning difficulty are a priority group. Targeting Guidance from HEFCE makes clear that,  ‘For disabled people, however, the critical factor is disability rather than social position’ . In essence this means that the barriers faced by disabled learners should be tackled by Aimhigher regardless of the learner’s socio economic group.

Aimhigher are working to support the progression of disabled learners in two ways.  Firstly, cohorts being identified in schools and colleges across Greater Manchester include disabled learners, learners with specific learning difficulties and pupils being supported through School Action and School Action Plus.  Including these individuals within the cohort ensures they have access to a programme of activities as part of the Aimhigher Progression Framework.  In addition, Aimhigher Greater Manchester are working to identify a range of learners who wish to be involved in additional activities that supplement the progression framework.  To read more about the targeted disability project follow the link below:

Targeted Disability Project

Action on Access is the national co-ordination team for widening participation in higher education. They support the development, promotion and enhancement of social inclusion for the broadest possible access to higher education.  One of their aims is to ensure that disability issues are embedded in widening participation and partnership initiatives. They hold a wide range of disability-focused resources for practitioners.  Many of these resources were developed by the National Disability Team and are available by clicking here.

Aimhigher nationally has produced A Guide for Aimhigher and Widening Participation Practitioners ‘Targeting and Recruitment of Disabled Learners -
Enabling disabled learners to successfully participate in summer schools’

This is a really useful read for staff who are responsible for recruiting learners to summer schools.  To download a copy click here.

To discuss issues related to disability contact Louise Higham, IAG Project Manager.