The OIA’s Disability Experts Panel provides informal advice on disability-related matters that relate to the complaints we review. This helps us to understand common practice in the support of disabled students and associated higher education provider policies and procedures.
We are now looking to appoint new panel members to serve from July 2025 for an initial period of two years.
New members will have experience of working with disabled students in higher or further education. We are interested in hearing from candidates who understand how policies relating to disabled students work in practice. Applications from candidates with expertise in neurodiversity, mental health or fluctuating long term physical conditions are particularly welcome.
We also welcome applications from candidates who have experience of representing disabled students’ voices and views within a higher or further education setting.
Panel members are asked to attend two meetings either online or in Reading each year and respond to referrals by email and (occasionally) telephone. They receive a small honorarium and travel expenses are reimbursed. Learn more in our Terms of Reference for membership of the panel.
Please note that current OIA Points of Contact cannot serve as members of the Panel.
To apply, please send a short statement expressing your interest and describing your relevant skills, experience or expertise to leadershipoffice@oiahe.org.uk by 9.00am on Monday 9 June 2025. Selection will be by Teams interview, expected to be in the week commencing 16 June.
Please contact us by email (leadershipoffice@oiahe.org.uk) or by phone (0118 959 9813) if you would like us to make an adjustment to this process to support you in making your application.
Successful applicants will be invited to attend the next Panel meeting on 3 July 2025, in Reading.