University accused of discrimination for removing autistic student from her course after she suffered fits

A university has been accused of discrimination after it removed an autistic student from her course on health grounds. 

Emma Burton, 19, who has Asperger's Syndrome, was awarded a scholarship at Swansea University to study modern languages after performing well in her A levels.

Her family claim the university failed to put in place two key support workers it knew she needed for the start of the Autumn term, which contributed to her suffering stress-related fits in October.

The first-year student suffered several seizures before the right workers were found to help her.

In December, the university's health committee wrote to Emma to say she had been suspended from her course on health grounds, claiming she was not well enough to continue.

Her father Steve, 53, from Neath, South Wales, said: "I was appalled when I heard what they had done to Emma. She is a bright and talented girl who has her problems due to her Asperger's but that hasn't stopped her from achieving with the right support in place.

"This has all the hallmarks of discrimination because of her autism and lack of knowledge of the condition.

"If I thought for one moment she couldn't cope I would be the first to admit it. Getting through school and A levels wasn't easy but Emma proved she could cope and now the rug has been pulled form under her.

Ms Burton is appealing against her suspension and her father is taking legal advice in attempt to challenge the decision.

The university has said an appeal will be heard in February.

Mr Burton said: "They have left Emma with no way back unless they decide she can make her appeal before the end of this week. She is very upset and if the university think suspending her will help her health they are wrong. It is making matters worse."

A spokesman for the National Autistic Society said: "It is very rare for a university to use the Fitness to Study Policy - with our student lead only having ever seen this policy be used twice in her whole career, with universities usually trying by and large avoid using them."

A statement by Swansea University said: "We offered a range of support to this student to help her study with her complex needs, however ultimately we felt she was too unwell to continue her studies at the present time. 

"This decision was taken solely with her wellbeing in mind.

"We have offered her family an extended period to appeal the decision and talked to them about what medical evidence we would need which might allow us to overturn the decision."