Esmé Kenney

After hearing anecdotal evidence that Cambridge colleges routinely overcharge disabled students for accessible rooms, I decided to write an investigation on the matter.

I spoke to several disabled students from different colleges about their experiences, and found that many colleges failed to tell them that the colleges were legally obliged to cover the additional costs of accessible rooms.

One student repeatedly had to correct their college bills. In their first year, the college continued to try and charge them the full price of an ensuite room, and only backed down when the student told them that it was covered by the 2010 Equalities Act.

Students were also forced to choose between ‘balloting’ to live with their friends, or being given the accessible accommodation they needed.

One student said: “I felt forced to choose between my physical and mental health.”

Read the full article here: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/23570