Perspective
2026, January-March
Why Schools Need Access Auditors Now
01
Rising SEND numbers and new White Paper create opportunity for schools to work with access auditors, rethink space, and improve accessibility.
See below for comment and link to the full article.
Disability Inclusion and the Curriculum Review -
What Independent School Leaders Need to Know
02
How the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review aligns with ISI expectations, highlighting why independent schools should strengthen disability awareness, embed the social model of disability, and enhance Citizenship education to meet equality duties and improve inspection outcomes.
03
Why Accessible Fashion Must Include Accessible Spaces
Adaptive fashion can’t succeed if customers can’t get through the door. Retailers must “look at their buildings”, publish clear access guides, use Equality Act provisions to improve premises, and embrace both adaptive clothing and accessible spaces — unlocking the £400bn Purple Pound in the process.
01: Why Schools Need Access Auditors Now
January 2026
According to a recent article in Local Government Lawyer, the number of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities SEND has increased by 400,000 since 2020. Accordingly, the Department for Education has announced major investment to create thousands of new specialist places within mainstream settings, including resourced provisions, adapted classrooms, breakout spaces, and enhanced support environments.
This presents an opportunity for school leaders to rethink how all school spaces function — and ensure they genuinely meet the requirements of different staff, students, and families. That’s where access auditors and inclusive design consultants can make a real difference.
Proactive collaboration with a qualified access auditor can help school leaders make confident, evidence‑based decisions. This is about far more than just risk management and compliance with legislation and guidance.
1. Are you making the most of existing space?
Many schools already have underused or inflexible areas that could be reimagined as:
• Calm rooms
• Intervention spaces
• Accessible hygiene facilities
• Assistive technology hubs
An access audit identifies opportunities to repurpose space effectively and cost‑efficiently.
2. Is the school environment designed for all students and staff to thrive?
Thoughtful adjustments can improve:
• Staff and student wellbeing
• Engagement and participation
Further specific guidance on how the requirements of students with SEND can be met within mainstream school settings, in the form of a White Paper, is much needed and long overdue. Watch this space for further comment and suggestions as preparations get under way for the academic year 2026/27 and beyond.
Get in touch if you have any questions or would like an initial conversation about this topic.
02: Disability Inclusion and the Curriculum Review - What Independent School Leaders Need to Know
January 2026
The Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review (Building a world‑class curriculum for all, November 2025) reinforces priorities that sit squarely within ISI’s Framework 2023. Its call for a curriculum that “reflects the diversity of our society and the contributions that have shaped it” aligns directly with the expectations inspectors apply when evaluating the Quality of Education, Pupils’ Personal Development, and Leadership and Management.
The review provides a clear mandate for schools to strengthen their approach to disability education. For independent schools, this is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, align with ISI expectations, and ensure that pupils receive an education that prepares them to thrive in a diverse society.
Quality of Education
The review highlights that “more needs to be done to ensure that all young people feel represented” and that schools must meet their equality duties and challenge discrimination. Embedding disability awareness, the social model of disability, and understanding of ableism strengthens curriculum intent, implementation and impact—key areas under ISI scrutiny. Representation of disabled people across subjects also supports inspectors’ evaluation of how well the curriculum prepares pupils for life in modern Britain.
Pupils’ Personal Development
Citizenship is identified as a core vehicle for teaching equality duties, challenging discrimination, and developing oracy skills such as expressing opinions and listening respectfully. These map directly onto ISI’s expectations that pupils demonstrate respect for others, understand diversity, and develop the confidence to engage thoughtfully with differing viewpoints. Participation in disability awareness workshops introducing the social model of disability and focusing on current affairs and the ‘lived experience’ of disability can contribute meaningfully to these outcomes.
Leadership and Management
ISI evaluates how effectively leaders promote an inclusive culture, ensure compliance with equality legislation, and protect pupils from discriminatory attitudes. Strengthening disability education—through curriculum review, staff training and visible representation—provides clear evidence of proactive leadership and a commitment to inclusion. Consultation and collaboration with disabled students on access and inclusion audits can also support leaders in demonstrating that pupils’ experiences are equitable and that the school’s values are lived in practice.
Independent schools have both the autonomy and the responsibility to lead in this area. Embedding disability awareness is not simply good practice; it directly supports stronger inspection outcomes and a more inclusive school culture.
03: Why Accessible Fashion Must Include Accessible Spaces
Time for retailers to "look at their buildings"
Today’s BBC World Service programme Women Making Fashion for All spotlighted the extraordinary work of adaptive UK fashion designer, Victoria Jenkins — whose mission goes far beyond clothing. One line in particular deserves to echo across the retail sector:
“I want retailers to look at their buildings.”
As an access auditor and consultant, I couldn’t agree more. Adaptive clothing is a powerful step forward, but it cannot reach its full potential if disabled customers still face barriers at the front door. Online shopping is a great option, but it shouldn’t be the only option.
Fashion Isn’t Accessible If the Building Isn’t
Retailers often focus on product innovation while overlooking the physical and informational barriers that shape a customer’s experience long before they reach the changing room. If we want fashion to be genuinely inclusive, we need to think holistically:
1. Audit the building — not just the brand
Step-free routes, accessible fitting rooms, lighting, acoustics, signage, and staff confidence all matter. Many improvements are potentially low‑cost but high‑impact.
2. Create user‑friendly access guides
Clear, accurate information helps customers plan their visit with confidence. Retailers should be sharing:
- Step-free access routes
- Parking and drop-off points
- Lift locations
- Accessible changing rooms
- Quiet hours or sensory-friendly times
- Nearby facilities such as Changing Places Toilets
This isn’t “nice to have”. For many potential disabled customers, it’s essential.
3. Use the Equality Act to your advantage
Too many retailers assume their hands are tied by landlords. In reality, the Equality Act is tenant friendly here. A landlord is likely to be acting unlawfully if they refuse consent for, or impose unreasonable conditions on, alterations that enable a disabled person to access or use the premises — especially where the tenant is a service provider.
Retailers have more power than they think. And with that power, comes more responsibility.
The Purple Pound Is Waiting
The spending power of disabled people and their households — the Purple Pound — has recently been re-estimated at around £400bn per year in the UK. Yet businesses continue to lose customers simply because their spaces, information, or clothing ranges exclude them.
Accessibility isn’t a compliance exercise. It’s a commercial opportunity.
A Call to Action for Retailers
If you’re serious about inclusion, here’s where to start:
- Invest in adaptive clothing ranges — and make them visible, not hidden online.
- Audit your buildings with the same energy you put into product design.
- Publish clear access guides that empower customers before they travel.
- Challenge landlords when accessibility improvements are needed.
- Train staff to welcome disabled customers with confidence and respect.
Fashion is evolving — and so must the spaces that house it.
If retailers embrace both adaptive clothing and accessible environments, they won’t just meet legal duties. They’ll unlock loyalty, trust, and a share of the Purple Pound that has been overlooked for far too long.