Session 29: How supported do students with disabilities feel at LJMU?

Abstract

Recent studies carried out in the UK show that the number of people with mental health conditions is increasing, with approximately 16% of adults suffering from symptoms of depression, and approximately 25% of people aged 17-19 suffering from a mental health disorder (Parliament, House of Commons, 2023). In a similar vein, conditions such as autism and ADHD are becoming better understood, and there is a rise in people who are receiving diagnoses for such conditions or suspect that they may have them, as our knowledge of neurodiverse traits in men and women becomes more complete.

As increasing numbers of students with mental health conditions and disabilities arrive at universities, the onus is on all universities to provide additional services to support students that they may not have traditionally done (e.g., providing in-house counselling services) and on staff to ensure that relevant sources of support are signposted to students so that they know how to access it.

This talk will discuss the findings of a recent project that aimed to determine how well supported students with disabilities feel at LJMU. A questionnaire was designed and disseminated university-wide to ensure that both those who have formally declared a disability to LJMU and those who haven’t could respond and give their views. The results we will present show a significant discrepancy in responses between faculties at LJMU and, in some cases, between students with different disabilities. They indicate that while the overall picture is positive from a university perspective, there is more that needs to be done to support these students to ensure a successful passage through their degree.

How supported do students with disabilities feel at LJMU PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.