Disability History Month aims to celebrate the past and present achievements and promote the importance of equal rights for differently abled people in the UK.
The month focuses on all types of disabilities including mental health difficulties, specific learning disabilities and chronic illness. We challenge the barriers differently abled students face in higher education and accessing university education. In partnership with UWE Bristol, The Students' Union undertook a series of events to celebrate and support our disabled staff and students, demonstrate allyship, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of accessibility at UWE Bristol.
You can check out UWE Bristol’s series of events here: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/study/library/our-libraries/library-activities-and-groups/disability-history-month
If you would like to get involved in related campaigns and events, please email sucommunity@uwe.ac.uk.
We would love you to join our new Student Advisory Group, helping to shape UWE Bristol’s Disabled Student Commitment - the pledge to create a more inclusive, accessible, and supportive experience for disabled students.
This is a group specifically for students that identify as disabled, neurodivergent (e.g. ADHD, autistic, dyslexic), or who have a physical or mental health condition.
We are creating a safe, supportive space where you can share your experiences. Your insights will help us understand what’s helped you thrive, what’s held you back, and what needs to change. Together, we'll turn your feedback into meaningful action that improves access, strengthens support, enhances academic success, and opens doors to future careers.
You can join by completing this short form: https://go.uwe.ac.uk/SCP. You can choose to either focus on the Disabled Student Commitment or join the wider Student Consultation Panel, where you would be able to give feedback on all aspects of the student experience at UWE.
There are also incentives: these are awarded at the end of the term to student who engage the most. Some activities may also include additional incentives such as prize draws, vouchers, or catering:
If you have any questions, please email studentvoice@uwe.ac.uk.
Whether you identify as disabled yourself or you’d like to improve your knowledge on supporting people with disabilities, please come along to our DAA events, for peer-to-peer conversations, casual advice and information.
AA events run on a relaxed, drop-in basis so there's no obligation to stay for the duration of the event - just pop by and stay for as long as you like! (**DAA events are open to all students identifying as disabled (including mental health difficulties, Specific Learning Disabilities and chronic illness), as well as allies looking for an inclusive space – everyone’s welcome!)
Looking for the next DAA? Keep an eye on our What's On Page
Looking for extra support? The Students’ Union and UWE Bristol have a range of services available, including our Advice Centre, the UWE Wellbeing Service, and our 24/7 Crisis Textline service.
Advice Team
Our Advice Team is on hand to provide free, non-judgemental and confidential advice. The service is independent of UWE Bristol and all advice is impartial, unbiased, and nothing you tell the team will appear on your UWE Bristol file.
Find out more by clicking here or emailing advice@uwe.ac.uk
Disability Support
Whether you are a current student or you are thinking about applying to UWE Bristol, the Disability Service have a range of support services for you. If you are unable to meet a deadline or have a problem with an assessment, additional assessment support is available.
To find out more, click here.
Specialist Mentor Support
UWE Bristol offer one-to-one specialist mentor support focusing on your academic studies. You may be eligible to access this service through Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Please contact Disability Service if you are unsure about your entitlement to DSA.
4 ways to design a disability-friendly future | Meghan Hussey TED Talks Daily Nearly fifteen percent of the world's population lives with a disability, yet this massive chunk of humanity is still routinely excluded from opportunities. Sharing her experience growing up with an autistic sister, disability inclusion advocate Meghan Hussey illuminates the path towards an inclusive future in four steps, and it starts with an attitude check on assumptions and stereotypes. Designing a world built for everyone is not a "nice to have," Hussey says -- it's critical to the fabric of society. View the video here.
Work, Disability and Getting Set up Properly
During our Careers Fair 2026, Access to Work specialist Alice Hastie gave a talk about the support mechanisms for disabled employees in the workplace. Whether you already have a job or are thinking about the future, you can find out how to ensure that work works for you.
Any questions about Disability History Month or any of our other liberation campaigns? Please get in touch with sucommunity@uwe.ac.uk