Disability and Education (UK) – Full Guide for Disabled Adults, Young People and Learners
Many people assume education support only applies to
children, but support is available throughout adult life,
including college, university, apprenticeships and adult learning.
Your Rights in Education
Under the UK Equality Act 2010, education providers must not discriminate against disabled students and must make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers where possible. This can include:
- Extra time in exams
- Specialist equipment
- Accessible learning materials
- Sign language interpreters
- Note-takers
- Support workers
- Accessible accommodation
- Alternative assessment arrangements
- Flexible attendance arrangements where appropriate
Equality Act information:
Equality Act 2010 Guidance (GOV.UK)
Colleges and Further Education
Further Education (FE) colleges support learners aged 16+ and adults returning to education.
Support may include:
- Learning support assistants
- Specialist tutors
- Accessible technology
- Study skills support
- Mental health support
- Dyslexia support
- Autism support
- Mobility support
- Communication support
Most colleges have:
- Additional Learning Support (ALS)
- Learning Support Teams
- Disability Advisers
- Student Wellbeing Services
Ask for support as early as possible, ideally before starting a course.
Find a college:
Find Further Education Courses (GOV.UK)
Universities
Universities must provide support for disabled students.
This can include:
- Specialist mentoring
- Mental health mentoring
- Study skills support
- Note-taking support
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters
- Assistive software
- Recording lectures
- Accessible accommodation
- Exam adjustments
- Library support
Every university has a disability support team.
Contact them before starting your course to arrange support.
University disability support information:
Student Finance England – Disabled Students' Allowance
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) can help cover extra study-related costs caused by a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
DSA is not usually affected by income.
Support may include:
- Specialist equipment
- Assistive technology
- Non-medical helpers
- Specialist mentoring
- Study support
- Travel costs related to disability
You may qualify if you have:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Dyslexia
- Mental health conditions
- Long-term illnesses
- Physical disabilities
- Sensory impairments
Apply for DSA:
Disabled Students' Allowance (GOV.UK)
Apprenticeships and Disability Support
Disabled people can access apprenticeships and have legal protection under the Equality Act 2010.
Employers and training providers must consider reasonable adjustments to support disabled apprentices. Support may include:
- Additional learning support
- Specialist equipment
- Modified working arrangements
- Accessible training materials
- Communication support
- Flexible support arrangements
- Additional assessment support
Apprentices with learning difficulties, disabilities, physical health conditions or mental health conditions may be entitled to additional support.
Apprenticeship Support
Support for Apprentices with Disabilities and Learning Difficulties
Find Apprenticeships
Find an Apprenticeship (GOV.UK)
Apprenticeship Information
Apprenticeship Helpdesk
Telephone: 08000 150 400
Email: nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Adult Learning
Education does not stop after school or university.
Adult learning can include:
- GCSEs
- Functional Skills
- Access to Higher Education Courses
- Professional qualifications
- Digital skills
- English and Maths
- Community learning
- Distance learning
- Career retraining
Many providers offer disability support and reasonable adjustments.
Find Adult Learning Courses
National Careers Service Course Search
Open University
The Open University offers extensive disability support for distance learners.
NHS Support for Students and Learners
If disability, illness or mental health affects your education, NHS services may help.
Support may include:
- Mental health services
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Autism services
- ADHD services
- Physiotherapy
- Community support services
NHS Mental Health Support
NHS Learning Disabilities Information
NHS Learning Disabilities Information
NHS Autism Information
NHS ADHD Information
Financial Support
Depending on circumstances, disabled learners may also receive:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
- Disabled Students' Allowance
- Access to Work
- Local authority support
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (GOV.UK)
Access to Work
Can help with workplace support, equipment and travel costs for disabled workers and apprentices.
Careers and Employment Support
National Careers Service
Free careers advice and guidance.
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Disability Rights UK
Advice on education, independent living and disability rights.
Scope
Advice on disability, education, employment and benefits.
Helpline: 0808 800 3333
Advocacy and Advice
Citizens Advice
Free independent advice on education, benefits, discrimination and disability rights.
Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
Advice about discrimination and equality rights.
Telephone: 0808 800 0082
Equality Advisory and Support Service
Additional Support for Disabled Learners
You may be able to request:
- Accessible course materials
- Alternative formats (Braille, large print, audio)
- Assistive technology
- BSL interpreters
- Note-takers
- Study mentors
- Mental health mentors
- Quiet study spaces
- Flexible learning arrangements
- Exam adjustments
- Accessible accommodation
- Personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs)
Never assume support is unavailable. If a barrier exists, ask the college, university, training provider or employer what reasonable adjustments can be made.
Disability should not prevent anyone from accessing education. Whether you are entering college, university, an apprenticeship, returning to study as an adult, or changing career later in life, support, adjustments, financial help and specialist services are available across the UK. Colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers, employers, the NHS and disability organisations all have responsibilities to help remove barriers and improve access to learning and achievement.
Essential Contacts
NHS 111
111
Emergency Services
999
Access to Work
0800 121 7479
Motability
0300 456 4566
RNIB Helpline
0303 123 9999
Citizens Advice
0800 144 8848