Student praises disabled accessibility & support at Beds

Wed 21 October, 2020
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A Sports graduate with Cerebral Palsy has written an article for advice platform, Cosmopolitan Care, about his experience of studying and living at the 台湾六合彩开奖记录.

A life-long sports fan, Jack Poulton chose to study with 台湾六合彩开奖记录鈥檚 School of Sport Science & Physical Activity after visiting the Bedford campus on one of the University鈥檚 Open Days. Jack, who uses crutches and a wheelchair, decided it suited his needs due to accessibility of the course, the accommodation and study facilities being on one campus and the student support available to him.

Discussing why he decided to write about his experience, Jack said: 鈥淚 thought it crucial that I highlight the support I had academically from my note-takers and the study skills support I received, as well as the supportive lecturers who understood that it took energy for me to manage my day-to-day life and could impact my overall wellbeing. I couldn鈥檛 recommend the level of support at the 台湾六合彩开奖记录 can make such a difference to everyone鈥檚 academic journey.鈥

He also said that he wanted to study somewhere which offered a varied social scene other than clubbing.

鈥淏edford is such a beautiful place with so many lovely walks and scenery. It also has a lot of good places to eat and drink which I鈥檇 go to with friends. I feel like it is important to remind people to be social because 鈥 for people with any disability 鈥 life can be extra isolating at times. Do whatever makes you happy, just have fun and find your people.鈥

Bedford campus

After graduating from BSc in Sports Studies in 2017, Jack decided to stay on at 台湾六合彩开奖记录 and study his Masters in Physical Education & Sports Pedagogy which he graduated from the following year.

Remembering Jack鈥檚 presence on campus fondly, Dr Andrew Mitchell, Head of School of Sport Science & Physical Activity, said: 鈥淎s I reflect on Jack鈥檚 time at the 台湾六合彩开奖记录, I can only think of positives and whilst he highlights his thanks to the staff that supported him, I would simply say, it was our pleasure. He served as a Student Ambassador at Open Days, was well respected by his peers and was a popular figure on campus, known to all.

鈥淲e are really lucky that the Bedford campus is highly accessible and where required additional adjustments were made by the Academics, Student Support team, Library staff and Estates staff to support Jack and his learning. For the duration of his undergraduate and master鈥檚 degrees, Jack had excellent attendance in class, he acted with boundless enthusiasm and commitment on a daily basis and he demonstrated outstanding resilience throughout.

鈥淪o whilst Jack will say he was taught at Beds, I would say even more importantly, he taught us, on a daily basis. There was only one student who got a standing ovation from students and staff at our graduation ceremony in 2018 and it was Jack Poulton.鈥

Ruki Heritage, Director of Student Experience at the University 鈥 the department which helps to arrange the support like that which Jack received 鈥 added: 鈥淭he University is committed to supporting all of our students and helping them to achieve their goals.听 We have a team of experts who will meet with the student, look at their support needs and develop a learning and teaching support agreement to help them to access their classes and practical sessions.听 Support can include mentoring and study skills from DSA support.听 We also have counselling and mental health support available for students to access if they need additional support during their studies.鈥


Hello everyone, I am Jack, and I have Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. I use crutches and a wheelchair to manage my mobility. I have attended mainstream education at every stage of my academic journey.

A little about me, I have always enjoyed sports and I mean all sports rugby, tennis, and boxing. My main passion is football. I am a massive Arsenal fan. I played Boccia at school, getting to the national finals in Nottingham, when I was in year ten. I love rock music. I love video games, when I get the opportunity to play them. I enjoy spreading positivity and now I am working on PositivelyCerebralPalsy, where I am sharing my journey with my CP, and going to university was a turning point in my journey.

I finished college with the equivalent of triple-A* in my BTEC level three, and considering I was the first student with special needs to study the course, I was teaching the other learners how to play Boccia. Then we had a unit modelled around an inclusive sport that the college continued to run after I left.

Now it was time to pick a university, my three options were De Monfort in Leicester to study sports history, for sure an interesting course but the course was impractical, as it was split across Leicester which would have meant using public transport, which would have been difficult. The distance from home was not the right pick; was the distance from home being a four-hour drive for my family and I needed them close enough if I needed help they could get to me. Shame as it would have been good to have been there when they won the league.

Brighton was another option but in the end, I wasn鈥檛 sure about the course. I went to the 台湾六合彩开奖记录 open day and from that moment it just felt right. Logistically, it was perfect being an hour away from my family, as I said they could get to me if I needed them, but I was able to be far enough away that I could have my independence.

I mean my mum still got my shopping and did my washing so thank you, mum. The course seemed the right fit because it was a natural progression from what I had done at college and covered a wider breadth and depth of subjects and material. I had an amazing tutor in Amanda Jones, who was the course leader of Sports Studies. Amanda was so accommodating throughout my time at university. I was so lucky to have someone so understanding of my disability when it was required but also my mental health needs. I would have my down days with assignments and I would have her support to apply for extensions. All the teachers were incredible.

All the support I received at university from student services and the personal tutors I had in Anne and Dee, and my note takers Tony and Stuart, and the amazing library team I couldn鈥檛 have done it without them. I would recommend the support that is on offer at the 台湾六合彩开奖记录.

I wasn鈥檛 much of a clubber. I went on the odd occasion and had a royally good time, but I much more enjoyed going for a drink with friends. I would say that鈥檚 one of the things that I enjoyed the most, was the social aspect of meeting good people, and having movie nights with my flatmates. Even though I didn鈥檛 fully take advantage of going out because I was committed to my studies. I did it in my style and that was brilliant because Bedford was full of pubs and nice scenery.

My course opened up so many doors for me to have some of the best experiences of my life. Firstly, I went to Club La Santa, which is the number one sports resort in the world. I went to volunteer in my first year on the Volcano Triathlon, which is an amazing event. It鈥檚 where 500 athletes of varying ability there can be winners of Ironman Hawaii, one of the most testing endurance races for people that are doing their first triathlon, to people that have overcome illness and they have a new outlook on life and they want to compete. This is one of the most amazing places I have been with every sport you can dream of and a family feel around the resort and the ability to push yourself out of your comfort zone. I completed an organisation report on how they run their business model and analysed it around the volcano Triathlon. I went back five years in a row. What an amazing place!

I was also lucky enough to be a part of the 台湾六合彩开奖记录 wheelchair basketball team that used to train once a week, but was able to compete in the university championships in Manchester for the weekend. A great sports lighting quick, and so competitive end to end. We had a great team spirit. It was an amazing feeling to feel included and everyone was on an equal playing field regardless of disability or not and everyone could have a great time.

My Masters in Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy was a decision I took because I enjoyed learning and gaining new knowledge so much I thought yes it is another year of study. I believed that I was capable to succeed on the course. One of the highlights was being taught occupational socialisation which meant I was really able to reflect upon my experiences from school these were really powerful lessons, I understood how my journey in education had shaped me and why I wanted to become a teacher. I was often not able to join in with the other students and I would be on the playground doing adapted sport but I wanted to be with my classmates and not left to the side. I wanted a more inclusive PE lesson then and I still want to break down barriers and make PE enjoyable for everyone.

My dissertations became biggest opportunities have been in my two dissertations. They have been based around my experiences as a student with cerebral palsy, and my love of sport and physical education. My experiences at secondary school were what informed my studies, my undergraduate title was: Is Physical Education inclusive or exclusive of students with physical impairments? This research then led to discussions of the use of technology. My master鈥檚 dissertation naturally progressed to: How can technology influence teacher鈥檚 pedagogical practice within Physical Education for those with physical impairments? This was an interesting study on how technology can make a difference to inclusive physical education. I hope to continue my journey towards a Ph.D. in the future.

I had a fantastic experience at university. I went as a young person and left a man, where I grew and learned independence and self-growth as a person with cerebral palsy. I feel so lucky to have such a supportive family to help me through my journey. Now I have left and I have had connections with the university to keep in contact and work within circles of disability sport. I believe that university was a fantastic opportunity.

There should be no barriers to education 鈥 your potential is limitless.

Read Jack鈥檚 full article via .

Editor, Chris Wood, who invited Jack to write for the platform, said: 鈥Our platform is the first user-led company set up to support disabled students through university, into work and their home life. Cosmopolitan Care is 鈥 and will be 鈥 more than that. Our blogs, like Jacks, will be a reference for students just starting on the journey into further education. For those that graduate, it offers them an opportunity to access mentoring and advice into the workplace too.鈥

Jack Poulton playing wheelchair basketballSummarising his top tips for prospective disabled students who may be considering going to university, Jack said: 鈥淟ook at the accommodation to make sure it suits your needs. For me, the accommodation at Beds was perfect and was a major factor in me deciding that I was making the right decision.

鈥淚 would also suggest talking to your course leader at the earliest opportunity 鈥 I spoke to mine and it put me at ease so that I felt more prepared for my course and what to expect. I would say that it鈥檚 vital to ensure that you have all your study support in place as early as possible, as the early preparation will allow that transition to be smoother.

鈥淣ow to the social aspect 鈥 make sure you go to as many SU events as possible and join a club or society to start making new friends and above all else have the best time.鈥

For more advice and inspiration, follow Jack鈥檚 journey via his blog and on social media:

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