LAWYERS have been given the green light to launch a legal challenge on behalf of disabled students, including a Cumbrian teenager, who feel ‘ignored’ by the Government’s failure to consult on proposed restrictions to higher education grants.

In April last year the Government announced plans to limit the support offered by the Disabled Student Allowance.

Awarded to over 60,000 students with a range of disabilities from sensory impairment to mental health conditions, the allowance pays for support such as specialist equipment and accommodation which helps them complete their studies.

Now, the High Court has confirmed that Irwin Mitchell, with the support of the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and Ambitious about Autism, can proceed with legal action to challenge whether it was unlawful for the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to only consult with a select group regarding the changes.

One of the lawyer's clients is Zanna Messenger-Jones, 17, from Ireleth, near Askam-in-Furness.

She is profoundly deaf in her right ear and severely deaf in her left ear, and wears hearing aids and an implant as a result.

Zanna is currently applying for Art and Design or Fashion Design courses at several universities, but without DSA it is uncertain whether she will get the support she needs to follow group discussion classes and Q&As between teachers and other students.

She is currently provided some specialist equipment and software by her college and audiology centre, but she cannot take these with her to University as they are not owned by her. She will also need adaptions to halls of residence, such as a flashing fire alarm and adapted doorbell with visual signals which would be paid for through DSA under the current system.

Zanna said: “I’m really worried that if I don’t receive the appropriate support in terms of DSA at the beginning of the academic year it could seriously impact my studies. To not have been asked about the changes is not right and I want to be informed about what is proposed and have my views heard.”

Alex Rook, the specialist public lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We believe the student community should have been given the chance to have their voices heard on this matter prior to any decision being made and we are delighted to have been given permission to proceed with a judicial review.

“There is much confusion regarding these plans, with even our partner charities not being sure what they will mean for many disabled people going forward. It is vital that these plans are given proper consideration and we are determined to ensure our clients can access the help they require and deserve.”

Susan Daniels, chief executive officer at NDCS, said: “This is really positive news for students like Zanna, who heavily rely on the Disabled Students’ Allowance to provide the vital support needed to access their course.

“Having worked very closely with Zanna and many young deaf people hoping to pursue higher education, we are extremely concerned that changes to the DSA will mean that their access to Higher Education will be severely compromised, and we will see deaf students fall behind their peers, or worse still, drop out of university thereby jeopardising their employment prospects and their future.

“The government needs to stop this reckless attempt to reform DSA without putting in place proper safeguards to protect deaf student’s support in higher education. As a priority, it must ensure that the impact on deaf students has been fully considered through an open public consultation, before any changes can be implemented.”