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ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ Disability Service Team wins national award for outstanding contributions

Monday, 29 June, 2026

ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Disability Service Team has been recognised by the (NADP) with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Disability Services at the 2026 NADP conference on 12 June. 

The NADP is the professional association for disability and inclusivity practitioners in further and higher education. Each year it recognises one disability or inclusivity team for their contribution to making a positive difference to the experiences of disabled students and staff in the sector. This could involve a research project undertaken in the last two years or for excellent work in supporting disabled students and colleagues at their institution.   

ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Disability Service Team provides information, guidance, advice and practical support to the University's disabled and neurodivergent student community. Serving as a point of contact throughout students’ time at BSU, the team helps to coordinate additional support and give advice and guidance on things such as screening and assessment, accommodation and campus accessibility, accessing resources and liaising with other services. 

Talking about the win, BSU Disability Services Manager Kitty Eve said:  

“I am incredibly proud of the work that the Disability Advisors do in support of our disabled students, and it was actually me who nominated them! In every respect, the Disability Service at ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ exemplifies excellence: a compassionate and dedicated team using research-informed practice to find new and novel ways to engage our students. Their work demonstrates not only outstanding service delivery but also leadership, integrity, and a genuine commitment to advancing disability inclusion within the wider higher education sector.” 

Over the past year, the team has helped shape a change in institutional culture to enhance accessibility, improve inclusive teaching, and embed a stronger understanding of disability across BSU. Their influence is visible in staff training sessions, programme and portfolio development, and University initiatives such as employability programmes designed exclusively for neurodivergent students. The team is also proud to have suggested direct teaching about disability to students in an Undergraduate Open Module, which, after a robust planning process, was launched in 2026. 

Joel Staley, Deputy Head of BSU Student Wellbeing Services, said: 

“I couldn't be prouder of our Disability Service team. Their professionalism, innovation, and genuine compassion transform the lives of our disabled students, and it's brilliant to see this recognised with a national sector award. This is well-deserved acknowledgement of the meaningful difference they make – not just here at BSU, but in advancing disability inclusion across higher education.” 

 

Find out more about Disability Services and Student Wellbeing at BSU.