Going to university can be seen as an opportunity to make your own decisions. UCAS has released new data that shows more students are identifying themselves as LGBT and disabled. What are the challenges and intricacies associated with belonging to these communities?
Lucy King was thrilled to begin her Speech and Language Therapy program at Essex University in September.
First-year student is paralysed below her knees and uses a wheelchair daily. She jokes about being “female disabled lesbian” who is also a feminist, Christian, and was concerned about her community.
Lucy is not the only one. UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, revealed to BBC Access All that the disabled cohort was twice as likely as non-disabled applicants to identify themselves as LGBT.
The study found that 15% of applicants with disabilities identify as LGBT, while 8% are not.
This is more than a paper exercise. It raises questions about accessibility, reasonable adjustments, and inclusion.
Lucy said that moving to university was difficult. She had to do all the normal paperwork and loan applications.
She said that finding her community for disabled people was the most difficult part.
“A person to complain to about things like broken lifts is helpful.” It was very helpful to have people who could relate to me.
Lucy joined the LGBT Society after she was denied by the Disabled Society. She also met many people with disabilities and believes the UCAS numbers are accurate. She says it would be much better if she ticked the “disabled” box on her UCAS application. This would allow for social connections and reasonable adjustments.
UCAS hopes to address this issue after its most recent research revealed that 83,220 people with disabilities applied last year, a record, compared to 77,000 in 2021.
Clare Marchant, CEO of UCAS, says UCAS is investing in information to allow potential students to speak to current students. This will enable people like Lucy to find their communities faster.
Lucy says that she settled in and found societies and groups to be very welcoming, but faced discrimination in different ways.
She “did everything she could” to tell the host and nightclub she was using a wheelchair at a LGBT Christmas party.
“But I turned around and had to climb these very steep stairs,” Lucy says. Lucy says that Lucy was eventually carried up the stairs by her dad.
Lucy was not allowed to enter the bar because of her private room.
London Pride is on Saturday, and July is Disability Pride Month. Dr Ju Gosling, a lesbian with disabilities, co-chairs Regard, the LGBTQI+disabled persons’ organization, said such events are “really kick in the teeth”.
She knows of an event for LGBT people of color where organizers believed they had “ticked all the boxes” regarding intersectionality. It was upstairs, with no accessible toilets and “completely inaccessible for disabled LGBT people”
She said that incidents like these show how important it is for people to be considered, rather than just the minorities they may represent.
“It’s not about having multiple identities, it’s about one unified identity. If people don’t see all that I have, they don’t know who you are.”
Dr Gosling believes UCAS’s figures are representative of what she saw in her research, but she thinks the stats could be even higher because many disabled people don’t want to disclose their sexuality for fear that it might impact their care and support network.
According to her, one reason the number is higher is that discrimination can cause disability or mental problems. She suffered a brain injury in an attack on discrimination 20 years ago.
She believes that long covid will make the picture better again. This means that people need adequate support and information to avoid being subject to double discrimination (disability and sexual).
Connor Scott Gardner, a blind transman studying at Leeds University, claims he has been discriminated against twice.
His faculty was “amazing”, but when he tried to change his name, he ran into an administrative problem.
He was not able to complete the PDF form because he couldn’t read or write. This was not the end of the story. It took many stressful months.
He said that “toilets” are another important one. If someone is unsure if Connor intended to enter the men’s bathroom, rather than thinking it was his choice they think “oh no! A blind person has entered the wrong bathroom!” and help him out.
He says that you have to laugh, but it is a serious matter.
Connor believes that recognising people can be part of more than one group “goes a very long way” and “means that we plan better for everybody”.
Lucy, who was appointed Disabled Student officer, agrees. She says, “Disability is just a part of that conversation.” “Ensuring events are held in accessible places.”
Lucy and Connor discuss their experiences as disabled LGBT students in the latest podcast.
Presenters try blind tennis, and disabled ballet dancer Kate Stanforth talks about teaching wheelchair-users to tap dance…with their fingers.
Clare from UCAS said that UCAS hopes to improve its planning by connecting with students with disabilities long before they apply. This will ensure that their needs are met as well as offer reassurances.
She said that some students think about university as early as age 10. 56% of the last year’s applicants with disabilities specifically researched support before applying, proving how important it is.
UCAS has asked the government for an extension of its Adjustment Passports to schools.
The University of Wolverhampton is currently testing the passports.
Clare states that if the transition is positive, students are more likely to pursue their studies and succeed. The government is also “considering its next steps.”
Clare said that while some may not wish to reveal their disability to UCAS they have many support options.
It’s more than just access to university. Open days, interviews, and auditions are all things universities can assist with.
Dr Ju says planning is important but that it’s not the only thing to do. It’s about being more aware of those around you and how they need your care, especially if they are elderly.
“I have seen situations in which everyone thinks that so-and-so’s unsociable. But they are not.” They don’t have to be in their bedroom at 20:00, they will go to bed at 21:00.
She suggests that students with visual impairments should knock on their doors to offer an “elbow” to help them get to a function.
“Don’t assume. Ask people what they need.”
Listen to the podcast, and get support and information on the Access All page.
