Alison Lapper MBE to share her experiences at NEWI conference

25 May 2007

Artist Alison Lapper will be on of the keynote speakers at a conference to take place in North Wales on disability and higher education.  The conference entitled ‘Disability and Higher Education: Shaping the Future’ is being organised by staff at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI) based in Wrexham.  In an innovative move, taken by the Widening Access Team at NEWI, the conference programme has been carefully designed to attract not only academics and practitioners in the field but also students with disabilities, those considering studying for a degree and their families and carers.  

Alison Lapper was born in 1965 without arms and with shortened legs, she has become a highly acclaimed artist as well as a well known public figure.  Many will recognise her from the sculpture of her pregnant which until recently stood in Trafalgar Square on the fourth plinth. 
Alison makes regular television appearances including appearing in BBC 1’s a Child of Our Times series with her son Parys.  She has repeatedly amazed people with her achievements which include writing her autobiography and pursuing a degree in Fine Art from which she graduated with first class honours.  Alison will talk about her experience at University and her life since graduating.  A selection of Alison’s work will also be exhibited on the day for attendees to view.

Alison will be joined by professionals from higher education including Phillip Gummet, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) speaking on HEFCW’s provision for, and policy on, disability issues in higher education in Wales and Professor Colin Barnes the Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds who will give a talk entitled ‘Disability and Higher Education: an agenda for change?’.  

Current research shows that disabled individuals are only half as likely to be educated to degree level as those without a disability.  Raising the proportion of people with a disability attending university is an important challenge in which NEWI endeavours to take a leading role.

Professor Michael Scott, NEWI’s Principal said ”I’m really excited about this conference as it will bring together individuals from different backgrounds and with different ideas.  I hope that those who attend will benefit from hearing each other’s experiences and seeing things from a different perspective.  People like Alison are an inspiration to all of us and we are thrilled she will be speaking on the day. NEWI is constantly praised for its work as a widening participation institution. This conference is a great example of the pioneering work we are doing.”

The conference which is free will examine perceptions, attitudes and expectations surrounding disability and higher education and offers an opportunity for students and practitioners in the field to meet and share their personal experiences as well as listen to a number of leading experts in the field. 

The conference ‘Disability and Higher Education: Shaping the Future’ will take place on Wednesday 27th June at NEWI’s Plas Coch Campus.  People wishing to register for the conference can call 01978 293473 or by register on-line at www.newi.ac.uk.