Swindon student with disability feels 'unsafe' on campus

Alycia Ellis was told she could not carry on her college course in person because of her additional needs

A student who has cerebral palsy has said she feels "unsafe" on her campus due to a lack of accessible toilets.

Swindon New College student Alycia Ellis, 18, is currently studying from home after she was told she could not carry on her college course in person because of her additional needs.

"I could fall, I'd have to pull the cord in the toilets and wait for someone to come," Miss Ellis said.

New College said its toilet facilities "are accessible to all students".

Miss Ellis has been studying for her internship at the Queens Drive campus, but her final year is at the North Star campus, which she said cannot accommodate her needs.

Miss Ellis needed spinal fusion surgery during this year's summer holiday, which means she is now reliant on an electric wheelchair.

Natasha Seaton, Miss Ellis's mum, said there is one fully accessible toilet, which could potentially meet her daughter's needs if fitted with grab rails, but said it is currently being used as store room.

New College said its toilet facilities "are accessible to all students"

She added: "Powerchair users take up a considerable amount of space.

"Although the college have an intent on believing that they accommodate for those who are wheelchair users or those with disabilities - they actually aren't.

"A lot of the disabled toilets are not purposely built for people like Alycia in an electric powerchair.

"The sizing of them is not great, the fact that the doors swing out into corridors which are public, the doors are far too heavy for Alycia to swing them closed and open."

Miss Ellis told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "When I go to the toilet it's unsafe for me to move around.

"I should have support in place so none of that happens and I feel safe within the college."

While studying at home, the college is sending her learning materials, but it has left Miss Ellis missing her social circle and falling behind.

She said: "It would mean absolutely everything [to get back to college], that's why we're pushing this out so that I can get back and not feel so isolated."

'Embarrassing'

Mrs Seaton said they are aware of other students being dressed in incontinence products in order to get through a day at college.

She added that periods can also be a challenge for her daughter.

"What I had to do as her mother was dress her in period products that would last her an eight hour day," Ms Seaton said.

"Alycia would be sat in that, I can imagine a very uncomfortable situation and an embarrassing one.... because there wasn't the support to help her change, should there be the need."

When the issue was raised with the college, it was suggested she should go to a different setting outside of town, which could provide wrap around care.

Alycia said she was missing her social circle and falling behind with work

"Why should Alycia have to go 10 miles away ... away from her peers, friends social circle, but also it will not be supported in terms of transport because it is out of the catchment area and she cannot use public transport on her own," Mrs Seaton said.

Swindon Borough Council has agreed to help fund a support worker for Miss Ellis at college, but Mrs Seaton said that until she could be reassured the toilets are safe for her daughter to use, she would have to remain at home.

Following a meeting with representatives from the college on Sunday, Mrs Seaton said they are now looking to address the situation with the toilets.

A New College spokesperson said: "New College Swindon cannot comment on individual cases or students, but we have support for students available equally across our campuses.

"We have toilet facilities that are fully DDA compliant, accessible to all students, including those using an electric wheelchair, on both our Queens Drive and North Star campuses.

"We take the support of all our learners very seriously to ensure they are able to thrive at New College Swindon."

New College was rated "Requires Improvement" in all areas including "provision for learners with high needs" by Ofsted in January.