The family of a disabled undergraduate who killed herself on the day of a “truly terrifying” oral exam have won the latest stage of a legal battle to compel universities to take more care of students struggling with their mental health.
Natasha Abrahart’s parents and supporters say a ruling by a high court judge against the University of Bristol has implications for the whole higher education sector and hope it will prompt politicians to think again about bringing in a statutory duty of care for students.
In May 2022 a senior county court judge found there had been breaches of the Equality Act 2010 by the university amounting to disability discrimination.
Speaking outside the high court in Bristol, standing alongside parents whose children have killed themselves at other universities, Natasha’s father, Robert Abrahart, said: “The judgment means there is now a legally binding precedent setting out how and when higher education institutions should adjust their methods of assessment to avoid discriminating against disabled students.”
Prof Evelyn Welch, the university’s vice-chancellor and president, said: “Natasha’s death is a tragedy – I am deeply sorry for the Abrahart family’s loss.
“In appealing, we were seeking clarity for the higher education sector around the application of the Equality Act when staff do not know a student has a disability, or when it has yet to be diagnosed.
The original article contains 568 words, the summary contains 224 words. Saved 61%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The family of a disabled undergraduate who killed herself on the day of a “truly terrifying” oral exam have won the latest stage of a legal battle to compel universities to take more care of students struggling with their mental health.
Natasha Abrahart’s parents and supporters say a ruling by a high court judge against the University of Bristol has implications for the whole higher education sector and hope it will prompt politicians to think again about bringing in a statutory duty of care for students.
In May 2022 a senior county court judge found there had been breaches of the Equality Act 2010 by the university amounting to disability discrimination.
Speaking outside the high court in Bristol, standing alongside parents whose children have killed themselves at other universities, Natasha’s father, Robert Abrahart, said: “The judgment means there is now a legally binding precedent setting out how and when higher education institutions should adjust their methods of assessment to avoid discriminating against disabled students.”
Prof Evelyn Welch, the university’s vice-chancellor and president, said: “Natasha’s death is a tragedy – I am deeply sorry for the Abrahart family’s loss.
“In appealing, we were seeking clarity for the higher education sector around the application of the Equality Act when staff do not know a student has a disability, or when it has yet to be diagnosed.
The original article contains 568 words, the summary contains 224 words. Saved 61%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
Good bot