Agenda and Papers - University of Edinburgh

The Teachability Task Group was provided with a remit to ensure that,
“…current policy and practice remain fit for purpose and contributes to the enhancement of
the University’s provision as being inclusive for all students.”
This remit further required reassurance that University policy in respect to Teachability be
firmly aligned to the Quality Assurance Agency’s Code of Practice (Disabled Students); that
curriculum accessibility is mainstreamed and embedded throughout the University’s
provision; and that it is an imperative to embed equality and operationally evidence doing so,
in order to ensure that all disabled students can participate fully in their course of study and
in University life. The Task Group reviewed current provision across the University in relation
to the QAA Precepts (see Appendix 1). This enabled identification of a number of areas
which warranted further consideration (together with reassurance in many others) and led to
the formulation of a series of recommendations which are noted below.
To these ends the ultimate objective of the Teachability task group recommendations is to
embed an inclusive approach to teaching and learning across the University of Edinburgh.
Whilst a primary focus here is upon learning and teaching this needs to sit alongside
embedding an inclusive approach to all other aspects of the student experience, which
includes physical access, accessible technology and an inclusive delivery of student support
provision. This is both a matter of ensuring good practice and fully in line with the provisions
of the Equality Act 2010.
This objective is in line with the University of Edinburgh’s mission “to provide the highest
quality learning and teaching environment for the greater wellbeing of our students and
deliver an outstanding educational portfolio”.
The Teachability Task Group remit can be found at Appendix 2.
The specific aim of this document is to set out proposals for consideration in respect to policy
and practice of Accessible Learning for all students across the university (as applicable at
University, College and School-levels).
Underpinning these aims are the University of Edinburgh’s stated strategic aims and drivers
including the fulsome commitment to equality and diversity across all aspects of the
University’s activities.
The Task Group met on 7 occasions across academic session 2010-11 (see Appendix 3 for
Task Group membership), noting that the delivery of ‘Accessible Learning’ has direct
implications for every area of University activity. This awareness suggests a need for wideranging
consideration of good practice at each level of activity across the institution with a
concomitant requirement for effective communication, awareness-raising and buy-in to
ensure best practice. It also, inevitably, means that recommendations will be directed to
areas of the University, beyond the confines of the specific remit area of the sponsoring
committee SQAC itself, for further consideration.
A high-level University statement relating to ‘Accessible Learning’ situated prominently on the
website and in University documentation generally would be a helpful addition to existing
statements about the student experience. The Task Group suggests the following be
adopted:-
“ The University of Edinburgh will support all of our students to maximise their academic
potential and to benefit to the full from their course of study and their University experience
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