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The Disability Equality Action Plan sets out how we will deliver our goal of building an institution that is free from barriers and is inclusive and accessible for its entire community of staff, students, visitors, as well as prospective staff and students.
The action plan, a first for UCL, was developed by the Disability Equality Implementation Group (DEIG). DEIG was established in December 2023, in response to recommendations made by the Eugenics Inquiry Response Group, to develop a costed and holistic institutional action plan to address barriers to equal access and participation for Disabled and Neurodivergent staff and students, and to advance disability equality at UCL.
The actions within the plan were developed from a strong evidence base of qualitative and quantitative data including reports, staff surveys, and lived-experience insight. The Disability Equality Steering Group, who represent the views of Disabled and Neurodivergent Staff at UCL, set the priority areas of focus for the action plan, which therefore reflects what our Disabled community told us are the key issues. The action plan is divided into 4 key areas of focus:
- Culture
- Students
- Staff
- Reasonable adjustments
The action plan was endorsed by UMC on 16th December 2025, and a total of £1.8m of funding was allocated for the 3 year period. The action plan will be monitored over the 3 year period by the Equality Monitoring and Advancement Group (EMAG).
Read the Disability Equality Action Plan
“Since the UCL Eugenics Inquiry and the UCL Eugenics Inquiry Response Group Report April 2021 acknowledged the university’s historical links with eugenics, work was set in motion to deliver meaningful, long-term institutional change. UCL’s first institutional action plan for disability equality, developed by the Disability Equality Implementation Group, is one of the core strands of activity which aims to address systemic institutional ableism at UCL.
The Disability Equality Action plan sets out the roadmap for how we as an institution will tackle some of the key issues facing Disabled staff and students at UCL. The actions have been developed based on quantitative and qualitative evidence of our staff and student populations, as well as what our Disabled community has told us are priority areas for change. Responsibility for delivery is shared across the institution to ensure collective accountability for progress.
UCL aims to be a place where Disabled people can fully participate in university life and thrive. Recognising that significant barriers remain, the President and Provost has committed £1.8 million over three years to support the plan and begin delivering sustained change. This is in addition to funds already committed to support our Inclusive Environments Action Plan. ”
Professor Alison Koslowski
Pro Provost (Equity & Inclusion)