Disabled students and access to higher education

That this House is concerned that students with disabilities face a financial barrier when accessing assistive technology and other miscellaneous equipment as a result of the £200 minimum contribution required from the Disabled Students Allowance; notes that the implication of that cost is likely to be magnified as a result of the transition to e-learning following the covid-19 outbreak; calls on the Government to acknowledge the effect of that barrier on accessing higher education and on social mobility, and further calls on the Government to implement alternative mechanisms to ensure that a lack of finance is no longer a significant barrier to inclusive education opportunities for students with disabilities.