Partnership aims to help people with learning disabilities access higher education

A new partnership is seeking to help young people with learning disabilities have equal access to higher education opportunities.

While 45% of Scotland’s school leavers go to university, only 8.6% of school leavers who have a learning disability go on to higher education.

ENABLE Scotland is working with young people who have a learning disability to ensure they have the support required to access university life, can undertake work experience opportunities, and graduate with a university qualification, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University and global professional services firm EY.

A cohort of young people from the East of Scotland are already undertaking studies and will now start work placements at EY.

Anna Taylor, aged 17, and Jaymes Doyle, aged 18, from Edinburgh are working towards obtaining an Accreditation in Applied Business Skills from Edinburgh Napier University.

On her experience with Breaking Barriers programme so far, Anna Taylor said: ‘It has been really refreshing to meet different people who have the same anxieties and barriers as I do and who understand how you feel.

‘It is a very unique experience; I have the support I need but also get to pursue something that was previously outside of my comfort zone.

‘I am looking forward to my work placement with EY to see how the topics we have covered with Edinburgh Napier apply in a real life work setting.’

James Doyle added: ‘Breaking barriers has benefited me a lot as I have learned how to be in a university environment and have found a new interest in banking and business. I feel like I have been helped with my confidence and social skills a lot.’

ENABLE Group CEO and co-founder of the Breaking Barriers programme, Theresa Shearer commented: ‘I am delighted that we are building on the success of the Breaking Barriers programme and making it possible for even more students who have a learning disability to access the life-shaping experience of university that is a rite of passage for so many, yet it is currently available to so few disabled young people.

‘Breaking Barriers demonstrates how the public, private and third sectors can work collaboratively to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace, and I am excited to welcome Edinburgh Napier University and EY as the programme’s newest partners, advancing our shared ambition of a truly inclusive society for all.’

Photo supplied by ENABLE Scotland / Credit: Iain McLean