Gateways guidance: 13.1 What is involved in inclusive practice?

A medical school or university must not discriminate against a student because of the student's impairment or health condition, in relation to:

• permanent or temporary exclusions from all or part of the course
• student services.

It is discriminatory for universities to exclude students because of their impairment or health condition. This can happen if the university has not sought sufficient information from the student, for example about the reasons for their behaviour or absence. This can apply to students with mental health conditions who are sometimes unaware that they have been excluded because the university has not communicated with them in an appropriate way. So universities must take reasonable steps to find out if someone is a disabled person before considering exclusions, since otherwise they will be liable for legal challenge.

Being inclusive means making sure that all student services are equally accessible to both disabled and non-disabled students. The following are examples of student services that should be reviewed as part of the anticipatory duty, or for specific reasonable adjustments:

• teaching, including classes, lectures, seminars and practical sessions
• curriculum design
• examinations and assessments 
• work placements in the United Kingdom or abroad
• research degrees and research facilities
• informal/optional study skills sessions
• learning facilities, such as classrooms, lecture theatres, laboratories and operating theatres
• learning equipment and materials, such as laboratory equipment, computer facilities and class handouts
• libraries, learning centres, information centres and their resources
• information and communication technology and resources
• job references
• employment-finding services
• graduation and certificate ceremonies
• leisure, recreation, entertainment and sports facilities
• the physical environment
• chaplaincies and prayer areas
• health services
• counselling services
• catering facilities
• childcare facilities
• campus or college shops
• car parking
• residential accommodation
• accommodation-finding services
• financial advice
• welfare services⁹