2 2.1 Introduction PACEC was appointed by the Higher Education Authority to undertake a review of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) or to evaluate its role in supporting access and participation “the Fund” in higher education by students with disabilities, and to ascertain whether the policies, guidelines and practices relating to the Fund are fit for current and future purpose. 2.2 Terms of Reference The reference for this review were drawn up following a consultation process with stakeholders. The review considered four main areas: Financial provision of the FSD; HEA model and guidelines; student experience of the fund; and educational institutions and the fund. 2.3 Methodology The main work streams in the delivery of this assignment included: Desk-based research: policy context and review of Fund data; • Consultation: • One to one/telephone and email consultation with 19 stakeholders (Appendix L Part 3) • – Site visits to five Further Education Institutions (FEIs) and HEIs (Appendix P Part 3) • – Survey of FEI and HEI staff (50 responses Appendix Q Part 3) • – – Survey of FEI and HEI students (890 responses Appendix O Part 3) • – – Focus Groups with FEI and HE students (4 groups, 21 participants Appendix N Part 3) • – – Stakeholder consultation one-day event (61 participants) to test emerging findings and seek • feedback on these. Best Practice Benchmarking: a review of best practices in access and support for disabled students in • the UK, USA and Australia; and Analysis and reporting. • The work was assisted by a Steering Committee chaired by the HEA. Membership of the Steering Committee is listed at Appendix S Part 1. – 2.4 Format of the Report The remainder of this report is structured as follows: Chapter 3 Context for the Review; • – Chapter 4 Fund for Students with Disabilities Overview; • – – Chapter 5 Consultation Feedback; • – Chapter 6 Benchmarking Interventions to Support Students with Disabilities in Other • – – Jurisdictions;
2 2.1 Introduction PACEC was appointed by the Higher Education Authority to undertake a review of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) or “the Fund” to evaluate its role in supporting access and participation in higher education by students with disabilities, and to ascertain whether the policies, guidelines and practices relating to the Fund are fit for current and future purpose. 2.2 Terms of Reference The reference for this review were drawn up following a consultation process with stakeholders. The review considered four main areas: Financial provision of the FSD; HEA model and guidelines; student experience of the fund; and educational institutions and the fund. 2.3 Methodology The main work streams in the delivery of this assignment included: • Desk-based research: policy context and review of Fund data; • Consultation: • One to one/telephone and email consultation with 19 stakeholders (Appendix L – Part 3) • Site visits to five Further Education Institutions (FEIs) and HEIs (Appendix P – Part 3) • Survey of FEI and HEI staff (50 responses – Appendix Q – Part 3) • Survey of FEI and HEI students (890 responses – Appendix O – Part 3) • Focus Groups with FEI and HE students (4 groups, 21 participants – Appendix N – Part 3) • Stakeholder consultation one-day event (61 participants) to test emerging findings and seek feedback on these. • Best Practice Benchmarking: a review of best practices in access and support for disabled students in the UK, USA and Australia; and • Analysis and reporting. The work was assisted by a Steering Committee chaired by the HEA. Membership of the Steering Committee is listed at Appendix S – Part 1. 2.4 Format of the Report The remainder of this report is structured as follows: • Chapter 3 – Context for the Review; • Chapter 4 – Fund for Students with Disabilities – Overview; • Chapter 5 – Consultation Feedback; • Chapter 6 – Benchmarking – Interventions to Support Students with Disabilities in Other Jurisdictions;