Jenna starts Movement: University Against Disability Cuts (UADC)

In my time at University, I have been very fortunate to have access to support systems, such as specialist mentors and study skills, extenuating circumstances, a disability proforma, and my PIP payments. Without any one on these things, I firmly believe I would not be where I am today – in my third year, about to graduate.

However, not all disabled students have this support. Many are left stressed and struggling – both academically and financially, with the extra cost of accessible living such as with access to ensuite or ground floor bedrooms, assistive technology, mobility aids, and often more complex needs around transport. Many disabled students claim PIP for these reasons, and many would not be able to live independently or attend university without these payments.

This is why I am starting the ‘Universities Against Disability Cuts’ movement, beginning at my very own university. My intention with this is to encourage students to stand up against major proposed changes to disability benefits, therefore encouraging universities, as educational institutions, to publicly oppose the proposed disability cuts which will primarily effect PIP payments.

In short, Personal Independence Payments are a lifeline which allow people to claim money to assist with every day living costs which are often higher for disabled people. It is split into 2 sections; mobility and daily living; which are then split into subsections, such as cooking and eating, showering and self-care, public transport, physical mobility, etc. This ensures each applicant receives an appropriate level of financial assistance to overcome daily obstacles.

At present, the Government plans to cut £5 billion in funding for disabled people which will primarily effect PIP benefits – it goes without saying that this will be devastating. This will target people with chronic conditions and neurodivergences, while also affecting a majority of other claimants by making the criteria for PIP narrower and likely lowering current PIP payments despite the steadily rising cost of living. They do this under the misleading guise of encouraging more people to work and contribute to society, however this will inevitability drive disabled people out of work as accessible means for transport and ability to work accessible hours in accessible positions steadily becomes more of a modern fantasy instead of a lived reality.

These changes will drive disabled people out of work and education and into poverty, homelessness, and tragically is also likely to result in a loss of life. This is a harsh reality for both current and prospective PIP payments – and it is terrifying. The government’s impact assessment of current proposed changes currently projects that by 2029/30 an estimated 250,000 more people, which includes 50,000 children, will be in relative poverty by 2030. It will also see 370,000 current PIP claimants lose their benefits, and 430,000 future claimants will no longer be eligible.

Inevitably, this has severe long-term implications, with particular risk to disabled students such as myself. These changes are likely to drive existing undergraduate and postgraduate students out of education, while reducing the amount of prospective students are able to attend university due to additional support needs and elevated living costs resulting in financial barriers. Even after graduation, disabled students are less likely to be able to maintain their independence and therefore a stable work/life balance, resulting in unemployment, poverty, and homelessness for people who have spent years of their lives in education.

It is with this that I urge you to forward the below template to your university; this may be a student’s union, chancellor, vice principle, press office, or welfare service. The letter is a template which applies to most higher education institutions, with opportunities for you to personalise it to include your name and student number, your universities name, additional supporters, and any further statistics you may feel are necessary.

I would also like to encourage parents, alumni, college students, and even school students to send this letter to your relevant school board/s. With the help of institutions, particularly educational institutions, we are more likely to make a greater impact to overturn these plans and ensure that disabled communities and students can thrive as they deserve.

Remember that ripples become waves.

You can find additional resources and information on the Universities Against Disability Cuts Instagram.