Re-visiting the role of disability coordinators: the changing needs of disabled students and current support strategies from a UK university

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the system designed to support disabled university students from the perspective of disability coordinators. The research on this topic specifically is limited. Disability coordinators from a particular UK university were interviewed to better understand the support system from their own perspective. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted to reveal themes related to supporting students. IPA is a tool to understand participants’ social and emotional world. The final themes were: interest in and internal motivation regarding disability issues; flexibility and disability; personal experiences of disability; good practices; and finally, time and disability. The theme time and disability appeared as a separate theme but also was embedded within the whole analysis. In addition, the results indicated that the support issue is dynamic in nature and that student needs continuously change as new needs emerge. The demographic characteristics of disabled university students have changed over time. Students are also increasingly more competent at using technology. Consequently, disability coordinators should be more active and provide faster solutions to meet higher expectations. The results and policy implications of this study are discussed with reference to the impact of time, change and context.