TASO is calling for higher education (HE) providers to work with us on a project to design an evidence-based intervention to improve the transition of disabled students into HE and map the barriers and opportunities around using data to evaluate the support students receive.

The project stems from our report published earlier this year on what works to reduce equality gaps for disabled students. It summarises the evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to address inequalities in HE among disabled students and also indicates some priorities for future research and evaluation, to ensure that disabled students are more fully included in HE.

One of the priorities highlighted was transition support, with the report showing evidence of the importance of this support in helping disabled students successfully transition into HE. It also made a number of recommendations on how the use of disability data in HE requires improvement. Better collection and use of data for tracking how disabled students engage and succeed in HE is a vital prerequisite for better evaluation of how to support this group.

We will support HE providers to:

  • Develop a blueprint for a model of evidence-based transitions support which offers potential for adaptation, implementation and evaluation across the HE sector to provide more consistent support for disabled students. Note: we encourage applications from a range of providers including post-92 providers, high and low-tariff providers, small and specialist providers.
  • Map the barriers and opportunities around using data to evaluate the support disabled students receive.

The project will run from September 2023 to February 2024.

How to apply

To find out more about the project and details on how to apply please read the full invitation to tender document (ITT) below.
Access the full invitation to tender (ITT)

We have compiled a FAQ document to support you in the application process.
Access the FAQ document

The deadline for applications to take part in this project is 5pm on Friday 4 August 2023. If you have any questions regarding the open call, please join us on 5 July 2023 for an information session dedicated to unpacking TASO’s open invitations to tender. You can also get in touch over email via research@taso.org.uk.

Document accessibility: TASO is committed to making all documents accessible for all audiences. If you have any difficulty accessing the links or documents, or need these resources in another format, please email info@taso.org.uk.