Transforming disability support at the University of Bristol

9.30am – 10.30am BST, 4 July 2025 ‐ 1 hour

Presentation

The landmark High Court ruling in University of Bristol versus Abrahart and the subsequent EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission) advice note have highlighted the critical need for robust disability support, not only at the University of Bristol but across the sector.

This session explores innovative strategies and best practices that the University of Bristol has implemented to enhance disability support, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and promoting inclusivity.

Key initiatives include:

• Reviewing and improving how students share information with Disability Services, including the introduction of self-declaration processes, removal of the requirement to provide medical evidence, and publication of updated guidance on what constitutes knowledge of a disability.
• Creating clear pathways and guidance for rapid implementation of reasonable adjustments, including the introduction of student self-selection of the most common anticipatory adjustments, and a new way for academic staff to assess and offer timely reasonable adjustments.
• Introducing a new institutional disability training plan for staff, including a new dedicated disability training role to develop, deliver and evaluate comprehensive training for staff supporting disabled students.

This session explores how these innovative approaches are making a real impact, inspiring staff, students, and stakeholders across the institution, and influencing the future of disability support in higher education.

Speakers

Elizabeth Back

Disability Services Manager, University of Bristol

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Elizabeth Back

Disability Services Manager, University of Bristol

Elizabeth Back has been dedicated to supporting students with disabilities in higher education since 2017. Elizabeth moved into disability support following previous roles in libraries and archives at the University of Bristol and University of Oxford. Since June 2023, she has been Disability Services Manager at the University of Bristol, where she leads a team committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for disabled students. Elizabeth’s recent projects include creating structured referral pathways for academic staff and refreshing systems and processes to reduce, and where possible remove, the need for supporting documentation from students.

: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/disability-support/
: /elizabeth-back-a77766361/