UNIVERSITY bosses have apologised to a blind law student for mishandling their complaints after refusing to digitise leaflets. 

Glasgow University chiefs failed to provide accessible copies of course materials given to the learner at a law fair, despite having done so in similar circumstances previously. 

When the student, known only as "A", submitted them to to the university, they did not receive a reply for "some months after".

A relative complained, only to be told the education hub did not consider it to be its responsibility. Instead, they argued it was the law firms who should provide digitised versions. 

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According to a report published by Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), the university took six months to return leaflets provided by the student and the relative said they had missed out on internship opportunities.

SPSO concluded that “the question of responsibility for providing the materials in an accessible format was a complex one, which could likely only be resolved through the courts”.

Due to an “unreasonable delay” in handling the request and a refusal to “investigate the matter fully”, SPSO upheld the complaint and asked the university to apologise to the student and their relative for its mishandling.

A University of Glasgow spokesman said: “This ruling relates to a request by a student for the University to digitise leaflets produced by law firms which were recruiting trainees.  

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"Our view was that this responsibility lay with the law firms rather than with the University.  

"We will continue to encourage graduate recruiters to produce all their recruiting materials in accessible formats.

"We have issued an apology to the student as per the SPSO ruling.”