Events and activities will take place across our campuses from 18 November to celebrate UK Disability History Month.
Led by the UoS Staff Disability Network, the events aim to celebrate lives as disabled people now and, in the past, and challenge disablism.
The awareness month themes this year are disability and hidden disability and disability, sex and relationships.
Many disabled people have an invisible or hidden disability that brings challenges. However, because others cannot see the disability, people are often considered as non-disabled. Equally, because of the stigma associated with this in society, many choose not to self-identify, even though this has caused many difficulties.
Additionally, challenging perceptions and assumptions around disability, sex and relationships plays an important part in highlighting and addressing some of the prevailing issues that disabled people are presented with.
Throughout the month, there will be various activities and events across our campuses to help inform and bring about a greater understanding about disability, how it can affect people and create unity.
Shaun Williams, Executive Director for Engagement and Advancement and Senior Leader Champion for the Disability Staff Network, commented: “This is the first time the University has celebrated UK Disability History Month, and is a very welcome initiative by the Disability Staff Network as we engage our community in all aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion. It is an important and timely opportunity to raise greater awareness and understanding of the issues that disabled people in our staff and student community are presented with, challenge assumptions, and in particular highlight the invisible or hidden disabilities that many in our community may have but may not always feel able to voice.”
Southampton has a rich history in supporting and advocating for the rights of disabled people as the city was home to one of the first UK Centre’s for Independent Living.
As part of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ian Lyones, CEO of SPECTRUM Centre for Independent Living, will be one of the guest speakers at the UKDHM Research Cafe event to be premiered on Friday 3 December.
Other activities include Let’s Talk sessions at Wessex Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Social Sciences. The topic for these events will be hidden disabilities with panel members talking about their lived experiences.
The Network is also running an art project in partnership with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, inviting staff and students to participate in creating an image, which will launch and represent the University’s celebration of Disability History Month 2021.
A series of videos will be produced by the Network, to raise awareness of the experiences of people living with hidden disabilities and practical tips on how we as a community can be more inclusive in the workplace.
UK Disability History Month runs until Monday 20 December.
If you would like to join the UoS Disability Staff Network, please email [email protected] or visit the UoS Disability Staff Network SharePoint site.
