Access to Higher Education for the Disabled Student: A building survey at the University of Liverpool

The problems associated with disabled students gaining access to higher education are complex and can be complicated further by difficulties encountered in the built environment of universities themselves. A survey of the built environment at the University of Liverpool was carried out using a group of occupational therapy undergraduate students. Students were able to learn about access audits and understand more fully the problems associated with access as part of their own studies. Results were recorded using a computer database, which enabled dissemination of information via the university's managed PC network and Home pages on the internet. Discussion and debate centre on the dilemma between a freely accessible environment for all students and the constraints imposed by the present day built environment and economic climate. The need for effective strategies in collaboration with disabled students is also considered.