The experience of disabled and non-disabled students on professional practice placements in the United Kingdom

Abstract

There are limited comparisons between the experience of disabled students in higher education and their non-disabled peers, particularly on practice placements. This article presents the results of such a comparison, across six professional disciplines in one UK university. The results revealed that both disabled and non-disabled students reported positive placement experiences and also similar difficulties. Such difficulties were exacerbated for some disabled students, however, including as a consequence of the attitudes of others to disability. Recommendations for practice are identified that aim to enhance the placement experience of all students and to remove barriers to access.

Keywords:

• Disabled students
• higher education
• professional programmes
• practice placements
• student experience

Notes

1. Equality Act (2010) protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

2. See https://www.hesa.ac.uk/manuals/13,051/a/DISABLE