Sophie Spector, 22, Claims Oxford University Forced Her Out Because Of Her Disabilities
One of Oxford University’s oldest colleges is embroiled in a row with a dyslexic student who claims she was forced out after being denied extra time to prepare for exams.
A series of internal college correspondence about Ms Spector’s disabilities, obtained by her under a subject access request, was described by a specialist in equalities and human rights law as “shocking”.
Oxford University insisted that it takes a “proactive approach to students with disabilities” and Balliol College said it has a thorough and caring approach which is not reflected in the selected correspondence.
In one email sent in February 2013 from Douglas Dupree, the college’s then chaplain and dean, to an Oxford University doctor, Ms Spector’s learning difficulties are discussed.
Mr Dupree, who was in charge of students’ welfare at the college, writes that she would need “the absolute maximum limit of whatever concessions are allowed” before asking: “Yes, why did we admit her?”
He goes on to request for Ms Spector to be seen by a doctor “who can be straight and firm with histrionics and panic”.
Ms Spector, who went on medical leave the following month, said: “College staff knew I was having OCD symptoms and suffering from anxiety and depression.”
After joining Balliol College in 2012 she said that the college “denied” her the learning provisions which she had requested.
“The key thing I wanted was extended deadlines because I am a really slow reader,” she said. “But they just dismissed it and I started to struggle and fall behind.”
She claimed that the college set her extra exams with a higher pass mark than her peers before she went on medical leave in March 2013 and also on her return a year later.
Ms Spector, who now runs a social media company in London and is applying for law school, said she felt that the college’s attitude towards her disabilities and mental health condition had been “callous” and she decided not to return following medical leave.
Chris Fay, a specialist in equalities and human right law and managing partner at Unity Law, said the case was “shocking” and “one of the more extreme example of discrimination I have seen”.
He said: “This is a straight forward case of discrimination, treating someone less favourably because of their disability.
“But you could go further and say that action was deliberately taken to make life more difficult for Sophie: she was required to do more exams than everyone else with higher pass marks. This amounts to harassment on grounds of disability.
“The tone of the correspondence – the phrase ‘why did we admit her?’ – indicates a prejudice which can be construed as victimisation on grounds of disability.”
He said that Unity Law has been instructed to send a letter of claim to the University of Oxford so set out the basis of a challenge for disability discrimination, for breach of the Equalities Act and for failure to make reasonable adjustments on grounds of disability.
Kath Sutherland, owner and founder of START Ability Services, an organisation which supports disabled people and people with long term health conditions, said that Mr Dupree’s comments were “of grave concern”.
“To refer to somebody who is experiencing severe mental distress as ‘histrionic’ is disgraceful,” she said.
“It both trivialises and dismisses the impact of having a mental health difficulty and fails to recognise impairments in an appropriate manner.”
Balliol College said they are investigating a formal complaint, adding: “We cannot comment on that or on individual cases, but the College has a thorough and caring approach which is not fairly represented by selectively quoting from email correspondence.”
Oxford University said it takes a “proactive approach to students with disabilities” and “works in partnership with the student and the College to make sure necessary support arrangements are in place”.
A spokesman said: “The decision to take medical leave is never entered into lightly. It is used as one option within a strong and caring support system, often with the student’s agreement, which in many cases helps them to recover and resume their studies successfully.”
Same Difference 
Reblogged this on sdbast.
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I don’t know whether this is a common thing or not, but I experienced this sort of discrimination.
I had multiple health problems. During the first 2 years at uni – though I had to apply individually every time I needed help – the uni seemed to understand and support me; it was so hard for me even then. I didn’t have even one week off and had to study all through the semesters in order to get the work done.
During the final year this all changed. My exam circumstances were messed up so I didn’t receive the extra time. On the other exam I received a 1st and I would have easily obtained a 1st on the exam they messed up, for example I was stopped half way through but still obtained a 2.1. Then one lecturer – on a really big project – suddenly denied me any extra time to finish. I was shouted at and screamed at down the phone. Even the professor of the department said that I would have only needed 2 more weeks to finish. I failed that module completely and it heavily weighted towards my overall mark. I could have waited another year and taken it again, but by then I was just too ill. Again, even then I received a high 2.1 in my degree, but it pained me because I could easily have received a first. That went on to affect applying for an M.A.; I wouldn’t have received funding without the first.
Universities are like their own little worlds. You can make formal complaints about these issues but firstly, you’re not allowed to be present when they meet to make the decisions, and secondly when that decision is made you’re not allowed to challenge it under disability legislation, or so I thought. I wasn’t told about my rights at all. It’s like you are subject to lecturers whims. The particular lecturer was going through a hard time apparently; that shouldn’t affect the way he deals with his students. I was a mature student, always respectful however, but no one deserves to be screamed at or bullied, let alone if they’re seriously ill.
In the case above, you’d expect more from a top university. I’m glad the lady has gone on to be successful in any case, but things like this can easily affect you for many years afterwards.
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