Campaigners who fear cuts to a university service that assists disabled students have gone online to raise awareness of their concerns.
Students at Dundee University have started an online petition after the institution confirmed that it was conducting a review of its Access Centre, part of its Disability Services unit.
The centre, in the university’s disability services, assesses individuals referred by universities and other public bodies across Scotland as well as disabled students and staff at Dundee University.
Campaigners argue that any cuts or closure could jeopardise their studies and have started gathering signatures online to show their objections to the review.A Gopetition group, Save the Dundee University Disability Access Centre, has been started, with those behind the campaign keen to show the strength of opinion in keeping the service in its current form.Jonathan Tanner, founder of the petition, states, “The University of Dundee senior management is currently carrying out a review of the disability services which the university provides.
“The profit generated by providing this service is used to fund additional frontline services to disabled students at Dundee University, which are amongst the best in the world.
“If this funding was to cease then all disabled services at the university would be badly hit, and many would have to be cut altogether.”
Although no decisions have yet been taken by the university, campaigners firmly believe that any changes to services or cuts in staff numbers would severely hinder their studies.
Warning that changes could even force some disabled students to quit their courses at Dundee, Mr Tanner continues, “If the Access Centre was to be closed or badly reduced then not only would disabled students at the university have to make difficult trips elsewhere for assessments, but also the disabled services at the university would be severely hit as well.
“This could easily decimate the number of talented disabled students at the university.”
Dundee University was keen to emphasise a review of the Access Centre was ongoing and students and staff were being consulted throughout.
A spokesman said, “We are continuing a review of the Regional Access Centre in Disability Services, including consultation with staff, students and the campus trade unions.
“We would again emphasise that we are absolutely committed to continuing to provide excellent care and services for our disabled students.”