Accessibility Categories
Each of the seven chapters below follows an identical structure (A–F), so a teacher who has learned to navigate one chapter can navigate all seven without re-orientating. This consistency is deliberate: it means a teacher under time pressure preparing for a Thursday session can go straight to the relevant chapter and the relevant lettered section, […]
Visual Impairment
Quick summary Visual impairment ranges from low vision to total blindness. Some of the most damaging barriers found in research were attitudinal, not physical — generic equipment issued without real consultation, and staff questioning a student’s own judgement of their capabilities. At a glance: common challenges Inaccessible PDFs, poor colour contrast, missing image descriptions Generic […]
Physical & Mobility Disabilities
Quick summary Physical and mobility disabilities cover a wide range of conditions, from wheelchair use to cerebral palsy to chronic pain and fatigue. Much of the disadvantage students face is environmental and attitudinal rather than inherent to the condition — accessible design and direct communication resolve most of it. At a glance: common challenges Physically […]
Hearing Impairment
Quick summary Hearing impairment spans a wide spectrum, from mild hearing loss to profound deafness, including students who use spoken language with lipreading, sign language, or a combination. Research consistently finds that barriers come overwhelmingly from how teaching and communication are organised, not from hearing loss itself. At a glance: common challenges Inconsistent staff deaf-awareness […]
Dyslexia
Quick summary Dyslexia primarily affects reading fluency, spelling, working memory, and processing speed — not intelligence. It remains substantially under-diagnosed in higher education, so accessible design should be built into every course, not offered only on individual request. At a glance: common challenges Dense reading lists and cluttered digital text Timed exams penalise processing speed, […]
Depression & Anxiety
Quick summary Depression and anxiety are among the most common, and most frequently hidden, conditions in higher education. Much of the difficulty students describe stems from unpredictable scheduling and short-notice material release — an avoidable source of distress, not an inevitable one. At a glance: common challenges Attendance difficulties linked to low energy or heightened […]
Autism
Quick summary Autistic students are frequently highly capable academically, yet struggle disproportionately with structural, social, and sensory demands rather than academic content. Predictability, explicit communication, and sensory-friendly spaces are core accessibility needs, not optional extras. At a glance: common challenges Navigating unstructured university systems and unwritten social rules Sensory overload in busy, unpredictable environments Social […]
ADHD
Executive function and attention