To be or not to be ‘a disabled student’ in higher education: the case of a postgraduate 'non-declaring’ (disabled) student
Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs: This paper draws on data from a research project that was funded by the UK's Higher Education Academy. In the UK, some students declare their disabled status on entry to a higher education institution, some do so once at the institution and some never let the institution know of their impairment. It is the perspectives of this latter group that are particularly difficult to access. Anna's experiences as a postgraduate student provide some insight into what may affect decisions about declaration of impairment. Drawing on a social-relational understanding of disability, factors that influenced her decision not to ‘declare’ and the consequent effect on her experience of higher education are explored.