Celebrate Disability History Month at Reading
08 November 2023
Comedy, dance, discussions, and more mark this year’s Disability History Month at Reading, which takes place from 16 November – 16 December.
What’s on
A Lived Experiences comedy night (16 November) featuring Britain’s Got Talent star Lee Ridley (AKA Lost Voice Guy), and clown doctor and stand-up comedian Martyn Eek Cooper kicks off the month at the University.
Lee Ridley is the first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid. His show sharply deals with misconceptions about his disability. Martyn Eek Cooper uses music and images to share how cancer, death and incontinence can impact on your feelings of self-worth and the struggle of remaining gorgeous.
Priority for in-person spaces at this hybrid event goes to University students and staff. The event will have a live British Sign Language interpretive performance.
The University also hosts an expert panel flagship event discussing the Disability History Month theme: Children, Disability and Youth (29 November). Speakers include Team GB para ice hockey star Dani Czernuszka-Watts, Parenting Special Children charity CEO Ruth Pearse, Institute of Education lecturer and inclusive education researcher Anna Tsakalaki, and Reading Students’ Union Disabled Students Officer Sophie Flecknell.
See the full Disability History Month calendar. Other highlights for staff include:
- Samba performances written by artists including disabled singer songwriter Antônio Candeia Filho (Candeia), bringing the sounds of Brazil to the Cloisters at London Road (20 November).
- Dance-along session (27 November), offered as part of the play-based educational work promoted by the Digital Schoolhouse in collaboration with Nintendo UK. Colleagues who prefer not to dance are still welcome join for informal discussions about accessibility, inclusion and video games.
- An interactive pop-up display at the Ure Museum, in collaboration with Mencap, exploring positive histories of disability in the ancient world (30 November).
- Purple light-up of Whiteknights House. The building will be #PositivelyPurple to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities (1 December).
- Training and development opportunities to help colleagues better understand neurodiversity (all month, on UoRLearn), and learn how to create documents that are accessible and inclusive (13 December).
About Disability History Month
Disability History Month began in 2010. It aims to recognize the contributions and experiences of disabled people, while also raising awareness of the continuing challenges faced regarding inclusion and accessibility.
Each year has a different theme - this year's is "Disability, Children and Youth”. Originating in the UK, is now marked across the world.
Professor Yota Dimitriadi (Institute of Education) is Chair of the University’s Staff Disability+ Network. She said: “UK Disability History Month is an opportunity to highlight the history of disability while also offering a platform for ways to increase further disability awareness and equity.”