Available onlineThe first decade 1972-1982
(page 2 of 4)Written by the Open University Students Association
| Image : | OU Students Association bus in Rome |
| Date: | 1978 |
| Image : | OUSA Bus and other traffic in Rome |
| Date: | 1976 |
Study tours for disabled students
Shortly after the formal foundation of the OU Students Association came what is arguably one of the Association's proudest achievements, that is the overseas study tours for students with disabilities.
In 1975, a party of ten students with disabilities and a team of helpers set off on a study tour of Rome. The age range of the group was spread from 25 to 70, with all group members requiring the use of a wheelchair most of the time. The team of helpers were drawn mainly from the student body, but we were also fortunate enough to have additional support from people outside of the University.
Travel arrangements were made by EROS Travel, and the group stayed at Casa S. Birgitta, Piazza Farnese, which is a hospice in the centre of Rome, run by a Swedish order of nuns. A report stated that the group could not have been more comfortable, more cared for or made more welcome. In Rome the group was met by James Mourton, a Youth Exchange Officer from the British Council, and representatives from other organisations they had been in touch with; through these contacts, they were loaned a special coach.
The Association later acquired its own bus, which was donated by an anonymous donor in standard London Transport condition. The students at the Middlesex Polytechnic then converted the bus to make it fully accessible for wheelchair users. The bus enabled more students with disabilities to take part in regular international tours just like the one to Italy, sometimes going as far afield as Russia and Turkey.
Sadly, even with access to a dedicated bus, these tours were expensive and 1979 saw the controversial decision to cancel a planned study tour for students with disabilities because of the risk of heavy financial loss.
