Candidate for the position of Disabled Students' Officer
Focusing on the ability in disability.
Hi, I'm Nikki and I am standing for the position of Disabled Students' Officer.
The reason why I am standing for this role is because I was diagnosed with Crohns disease when I was 10, and I understand just how debilitating a disability can be. I believe I would excel in this role due to my experiences because I understand just how frustrating it can be when other members of society aren't aware of your needs. As the Disabled Students' Officer I will act as a voice for student disability issues to ensure equality and awareness amongst students. I believe University should be accessible to everyone, and therefore I will prioritise making sure disability services are accessible and equipped for student needs to ensure every student has the opportunity to excel.
My main focuses for the coming year will be:
· It has been noted that approximately 60% of people between the ages 18-64 suffer with an invisible disability, such as depression and asthma, as the Disabled Students' Officer I will campaign to promote awareness that not all disabilities are visible, but can still be hugely debilitating to those individuals suffering with them.
· I will liaise with SU executives to help improve services for all students suffering with a disability
· I aim to be the student voice for disabled students and prioritise working towards making any changes they need to feel comfortable and equal at UWE.
· I will campaign to promote mental health awareness, as a staggering amount of 9 out of 10 people say they still face discrimination as a result of suffering from a mental health condition.
· I will promote national disability awareness campaigns to ensure students are more informed and can get involved in awareness weeks/days.
As well as these five main objectives that I plan to work on, I believe this role will be a great opportunity to interact and engage with students regarding disability issues that they feel are prevalent in UWE. I look forward to dedicating my time and skills towards making UWE a place in which all students can thrive.