UK Disability History Month runs from 16 November to 16 December. The theme for 2023 is Disability Children and Youth, which aims to remove the stigma, stereotypes and exclusion young people experience when growing up. The month is an opportunity to recognise, educate and raise awareness of the contributions disabled people have made and continue to make to society.
What’s On:
Flag Raising and Network Coffee Morning
Thursday 16 November, 09:30, Jubilee Plaza, Highfield Campus
Join the Disability Staff Network in marking the start of the month as they raise the purple Disability History Month flag at the Jubilee Plaza, followed by the Disability Network Coffee Morning from 10am in B100, Room 7013. This event is a drop-in session open to all staff and PGRs.
Neurodivergent Staff Panel
Wednesday 22 November, 13:00- 14:00, MS Teams
The Neurodivergent Staff Group invites colleagues from across the University to join them for an online panel discussion.
In this event our three panel members will discuss their lived experience of being neurodivergent. All panel members are University staff who identify as neurodivergent and are passionate about increasing understanding and acceptance.
To find out more and to register for this event, visit the MS Teams registration page.
Neurodivergent Safe Listening Space
Thursday 23 November, 12:00-13:00, MS Teams
The term neurodivergent describes people who experience the world differently and can include those who identify as having ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Tourette’s syndrome. Being neurodivergent can give an individual strengths, but it can also bring challenges.
Safe Listening Spaces provide an opportunity for confidential discussion, free from discrimination. You do not need a formal diagnosis to be welcome at the session.
To find out more about the format of the session, you can visit this EDI SharePoint page. To register, please email [email protected] asking for a space.
Safe Listening Space: Parent and Carers of Disabled Children and Young People
Tuesday 28 November, 12:00-13:00, MS Teams
The Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team, UoS Disability Staff Network and Parents and Carers Network invite parents and carers of disabled children or young people to join them for a Safe Listening Space.
To find out more and to register for this session, visit the MS Teams registration page.
Awareness, allyship and support
- Join the Disability Staff Network or the Neurodivergent Staff Group
All staff and PGRs who identify as disabled, differently abled or neurodivergent are welcome to join the wider network and/or the sub group. If you are interested in joining please email: ‘I would like to join the Disability Staff Network/Neurodivergent Staff Sub Group’ to Libby Barton [email protected].
- Increase awareness
Visit the Bitesize Learning suite which explores different topics such as Disability and Neurodiversity.
- Understand different perspectives
Members of the University community have written blog posts to share their experience of being neurodivergent, disabled and differently abled which you can read on the UoS Disability Staff Network SharePoint.