Enabling admissions

We were interested to read that the Fair Enough? report recommends using criteria other than just A-level results to identify those likely to succeed at undergraduate level ("Don't rely on just A-level results", THES , January 17).

Disabled students sometimes get lower A-level results than expected for reasons relating to their disability. Yet disabled students may also be independent, organised and motivated, qualities that the report suggests as criteria indicative of ability to succeed at university. They may have had to develop these skills as coping strategies in life. Skill welcomes initiatives that encourage admissions staff to consider the impact of earlier disadvantage.

Since September 2002, admissions procedures have been covered by the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4: Education. This means that institutions should ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to admissions procedures for disabled students.

Barbara Waters
Chief executive
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities