What's New

The Equality Bill

The Equality Bill is nearing the end of its journey through Parliament. The Bill will replace the Disability Discrimination Act and bring together different laws on the different equality groups including;  Age, Disability, Gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief, Sex and sexual orientation. Skill has worked together with the Disability Charities Consortium to make important changes to the Bill for disabled people. You can download a Skill briefing here: Member Login (Members' Section)

Tell us what you think about equality!

Skill is now working with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on guidance for the new Equality Act for disabled students and Schools, Universities, Colleges and Employers. We would really like your comments to help us shape this. If you are disabled tell us what you think by filling out our quick survey. click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PNHZJVB

Review of Student Loans Company

In 2009 there were serious concerns about the processing of applications for student finance by the Student Loans Company (SLC). Professor Sir Deian Hopkin was commissioned to review the SLC's services and make recommendations for improvement. Skill contributed evidence from disabled students, especially with regard to Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) 

• Read Skill's evidence  for the review
• Download the Hopkin Review
• Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances

QAA works with higher education institutions to support the experiences of disabled students 

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has this week published a revised section of its Code of practice which covers how UK universities and colleges make their courses inclusive and premises accessible to disabled students. 

Further information about the Code of practice, Section 3: Disabled students, and a link to download it is available on QAA’s website http://www.qaa.ac.uk/news/media/pressReleases/230210A.asp

Disabled Student's Allowances - Quality Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) online Student Survey

DSA-QAG are inviting students to participate in a short survey to help monitor and improve the service provided to yourself and future DSA-Students.

DSA-QAG have been working on the development of an on-line Student Survey which will allow QAG to analyse the students perspective on the service provided by both Assessment Centres and Suppliers. 

The survey is split into 3 parts, which correspond to the stages of the DSA process:

• Once you have attended an assessment centre and had your Needs Assessment Report completed
• Once you have had your DSA hardware delivered and installed
• If you have the occasion to report a fault with their DSA hardware

Each part of the survey should be completed once you have completed each stage of the DSA process (Needs Assessment Report / Delivery of equipment / Support & Fault logging)

To access the survey please follow this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S33NGWW

New special offers on Skill's career guides

Did you know you can save money by buying one of our new 'Into' series packs? Go to our online Bookshop for more details 

Into Sport

Want to get a job in sport? Skill's newest publication Into Sport has lots of advice and information. It is now available to buy from Skills website. Click on this link to go to the bookshop  

Into Higher Education 2010 – reach out to disabled students

Skill is updating its popular guide for disabled students interested in applying to higher education, Into Higher Education 2010.

A range of advertising opportunities is available both in the guide and on Skill’s website offering you a valuable chance to attract disabled students to your institution, services or employment. More details on the Into HE listings page

In the News

Graduate Talent Pool - a new internship programme connecting graduates to businesses

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Students and Young People

Workshops for students with Asperger Syndrome

Prospects, The National Autistic Society's employment service, are running a series of workshops aimed at students with Asperger syndrome. They can help you develop self-advocacy skills, develop skills for placements and internships and start planning your transition from University.

Volunteering with Skill

We have exciting opportunities for disabled people aged 16-25

Want to be a young community volunteer? Get involved

Subscribe to the Young Learners’ e-Newsletter

News, views and information for young people. Send us your stories and pictures for the next edition.

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Skill Events and Training

Skill Scotland Mental Health conference

The next Skill Scotland conference will take place on Monday 29th March at the West Park Centre in Dundee.

This all-day event will focus on issues relating to mental health in colleges and universities. Bookings should be made by Friday 19th March at the latest.

Expert training and advice for professionals

Need help to meet your needs under the DDA and the new Disability Equality Duty? Skill provides a consultancy service on policies, practice and procedures concerning disabled people.

RNIB Conference: Transition Matters

A conference focusing on opportunities, pathways and choices in thetransition to adulthood for blind and partially sighted young people with complex needs and their families, will take place on Tuesday 27 April 2010 at the Deafblind UK Conference Centre, Peterborough.

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