Learning from lived experiences: Disability History Month

The University's inaugural Disability History Month Lecture is the highlight of a range of events run by staff and students to mark Disability History Month this year.

UK Disability History Month 2022 runs from 16 November-16 December to recognise the history of disabled people’s struggle for equality and human rights. Its theme this year is Disability, Health and Well Being.

The Lecture event on Wednesday 23 November will be online to enable people of all abilities to attend and British Sign Language interpreters and automatic captioning will be available. The Lecture is open to all colleagues and students and booking is essential.

It will feature guest speaker Dr Hamied Haroon, who brings a wealth of expertise in advancing Diversity and Inclusion in higher education institutions through his role as Founder and Chair of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks and ex-Chair of the University of Manchester’s Disabled Staff Network.

The event will be chaired by Professor Elizabeth McCrum, UEB’s Diversity Champion for Disability. There will also be an update on the Disability and Neurodiversity Review from the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Allán Laville, and an in-depth discussion featuring a panel of colleagues.

Professor Yota Dimitriadi, Chair of the University’s Staff Disability Network, said: "Disability History Month recognises both the vast contribution that disabled people make to society, as well as the injustices and barriers people have faced throughout history, and continue to face today.

"We can also use the Month as a focal point to continue to talk about what those barriers mean in practice for our colleagues, and for everyone to consider what they can do to make the University a more inclusive place to work and study. Not just this month, but every month."

What else is happening for Disability History Month?

Whiteknights House will be lit up in purple in honour of UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. #PurpleLightUp is a global movement that celebrates and draws attention to the economic contribution of the 386 million disabled employees around the world. The day itself is on 3 December, but will be marked on campus on Friday 2 December.

On the same day, an online coffee meeting will take place - again allowing colleagues of all disabilities to meet to catch up and discuss disability inclusion.

Elsewhere, RUSU will host a Disability History Month Conference for students and colleagues, alongside other events. Student work exploring Disability History Month will be on display at the London Road campus, and Danie Woodbridge, the University’s Head of Disability & Inclusion, will also take part in an online panel discussion hosted by AMOSSHE, the Student Services Organisation.

Full schedule of Disability History Month events