Online provider charges disabled students thousands more for same qualification in ‘blatant discrimination’

An online education provider has been accused of “blatant discrimination” after charging disabled students thousands of pounds more a year than non-disabled students for the same qualifications.

The Cambridge-based Online College of Art and Design (OCAD) describes itself as the UK’s “most established online art college”, but it has been accused of “systemic and structural ableism” over the extra fees it charges disabled students.

Its website shows it is charging disabled students thousands of pounds more to sign up for courses such as a foundation diploma in textile design, a foundation diploma in architectural design, and a certificate in art and design.

Under the Equality Act, an education provider is legally required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students but cannot charge for those adjustments.

But prices quoted on the site show it appears to be doing exactly that.

It charges £3,999 for its level three online foundation diploma in textile design – designed for “serious career-oriented students who wish to be artists or designers” – but charges £9,000 for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) studying for the same qualification.

Those enrolling on the SEND version of the course benefit from “a SENDCO, more tutor time, additional bespoke learning materials, progress reports and attendance to online meetings with local authorities”, all of which are likely to be considered reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

Prices are similarly inflated for SEND students on the level three foundation diploma in architectural design, as they are asked to pay £9,000, compared with £3,999 for non-SEND students.

And students studying for the level two certificate in art and design – equivalent to a GCSE – pay £999 for a two-year course, compared with £4,000 a year for SEND students studying for the same qualification.

OCAD says on its website: “For students with learning difficulties, please apply for our SEND courses.

“It is considerably more difficult and time consuming to teach these students.”

Iyiola Olafimihan, campaigns and justice lead for The Alliance for Inclusive Education, said: “This is another blatant discriminatory act on disabled people by businesses within the education industry.

“We already see similar practices within the education system, which monopolises and profits from the lives of disabled people.

“This is a clear example of systemic and structural ableism, enabling businesses to exploit disabled people while reinforcing segregated educational practices.

“Once again, it demonstrates that the Equality Act remains meaningless when it comes to protecting the human rights of disabled people.”

OCAD is part of Cambridge Online Education, which is registered under the government’s UK Register of Learning Providers, and claims it has “built a reputation as a trusted leader in delivering high-quality, personalised online learning experiences”.

Asked about the extra charges for disabled students, Dr Troy Page, OCAD’s director and founder, said: “We have no desire to discriminate which is why we are offering courses for students with SEND.”

He told Disability News Service (DNS) the SEND courses “are not the same course even if the qualification obtained is the same” because they “offer the additional support required”.

He said: “Any student with or without disabilities may apply for any of our courses including the lower priced non-SEND courses and so no discrimination is present.

“All students with or without disabilities can choose which course they wish to purchase.”

He added: “Some students prefer/need a higher number of tutor sessions, more bespoke learning materials, require progress reports, online meetings with local authorities, and the higher price of the SEND courses reflects the additional cost of paying for tutors.

“It is disingenuous to say the courses are the same.”

He said he did not believe that OCAD’s behaviour was unlawful.

He told DNS: “You are conflating standard courses with SEND courses and the course description make it very clear they are different and says how they are different.”

Page said he was not aware of other parts of Cambridge Online Education that offered higher fees for SEND versions of courses.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission had not commented by noon today (Thursday).

The Department for Education also failed to comment by noon today.

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