Disability History month took place from the 16th Nov- 16th Dec. This year The Students Union in collaboration with Vice President of Community and Welfare, Fayaz Kareem and Disabled Students’ Officer, Megan Griffiths wanted to highlight the support and networks that are available to students who identify as disabled or neurodiverse, to meet the different teams and learn how to access them. Especially at the other campuses this can be a complicated process, so we wanted to demystify the processes.

We held DAA (Differently Abled Action) Brunches at each campus, to these we invited the UWE services - Disability Service, Access and Learning Strategies and wellbeing, as well as student advocates and our own Disabled Students’ Officer, Megan and the Neuro Diversity Society.

As well as informing students of what is available to them, the people that attended said it was a great networking opportunity, linking the teams that are all working towards a more inclusive University for our students. See below for more information regarding the Student Advocates:

https://www.thestudentsunion.co.uk/news/article/thesuatuwe/Widening-Participation-Neurodiversity-UWE-Student-Advocates/

If you couldn’t make it to any of the brunches, but wanted to meet and connect with other students who identify as Neuro diverse do get in touch with the Neurodiversity Society:

https://www.thestudentsunion.co.uk/organisation/neurodiversity/

We also worked with our BSL Society they regularly hold signing Sessions at Frenchay and Glenside and they bought this over to Bower too. The Society feels strongly about promoting BSL and creating a fairer and more inclusive society for Deaf and hard of hearing students, They shared with us on social media a sign of the day throughout the month, then at the end of the month the staff at the Students Union tried their hand at these signs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Eck4TsX4E/

We rounded off the month with a session about Deaf history, Justin Smith CEO for the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH), came in and shared his lived experience as a Deaf person, From being a part of a large Deaf Family going back several generations, to his professional journey to arrive as CEO at Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. This was presented in BSL with English interpreters. For some of us this was the first time communicating with someone who’s first language is BSL and showed us what a beautiful language it is.

If you have an interest in learning BSL (Even beginners), would like to socialise with more BSL users or become part of the thriving Deaf Community in Bristol, do check out the Society:

https://www.thestudentsunion.co.uk/organisation/32912/

We collaborated with UWE  for an episode of Buzz podcast, where our VP Community of Welfare, Fayaz talked to Katie Carson, who works within UWE's Student Voice and Academic Policy Team, about Navigating Disability Among Staff and Students.

You can watch the full episode here:

Get Support and Help throughout the year.

Events.

Autism Support Group at Bower.

Once a month during term time there is a group at Bower campus offering a safe place to meet other students who identify as autistic where you are free to be yourself. The group is facilitated by Specialist Mentors with invited speakers to support your student journey. For more information contact: as.group@uwe.ac.uk 

Thinking Differently Autism Support Group at Frenchay.

Meeting each month between October to April to offer a safe place to meet other students who identify as autistic where you are free to be yourself. The group is facilitated by Specialist Practitioners with invited speakers to support your student journey. For more details please contact: as.group@uwe.ac.uk

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.

To find out more, click here.