UK Disability History Month 2023

"As Chair of the University’s Disability Inclusion Action Group, I am very pleased to be able to introduce Queen Mary’s UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) programme for 2023 and to celebrate the first year that Queen Mary is marking this important date in the Awareness and Inclusion calendar.

UKDHM provides an opportunity for us all to examine our approaches to disability and bring about a positive change in how we think about impairment and disablement. To do this, we need to learn from and listen to those within the disabled community who have helped evolve our understanding of the many facets of disability and who have fought for the rights of disabled people.

This is closely linked with the theme of UKDHM this year, which is ‘Disability, Children and Youth’. By better understanding the experience of disablement amongst children and young people now and in the past, we can better understand what is needed for the future.

This UK Disability History Month I invite you all to engage with the programme of events, to broaden your understanding and consider how you can actively contribute towards our 2030 mission of creating a “truly inclusive environment, building on our cherished cultural diversity, where students and staff flourish, reach their full potential and are proud to be part of the University”.

- Jonathan Morgan, Chief Governance Officer

All events taking place as part of UK Disability History Month 2023 are open to our staff and students, so please join us!

If you are running an event that isn't listed here, we'd love to be able to support to maximise the reach and impact of your activity! Please email hr-equality@qmul.ac.uk with the details. 

Lunch and Learn: Hidden Disabilities and Chronic Illness

Date: Monday 11th December

Time: 12.30am-1.30pm

Location: This event took place on MS Teams. You can now watch the recording.

As part of UK Disability History Month, join Alex Prestage (Head of EDI , Queen Mary University of London) for this Lunch and Learn discussing hidden disabilities and chronic illness.

Film Screening: "Is There Anybody Out There?"

Date: Thursday 7^th December 2023

Time: 6.00pm (GMT) 

Location: BLOC cinema in ArtsOne, Mile End Campus. Sign up to attend via Eventbrite

Join us for an exciting film screening of 'Is There Anybody Out There?' 

This docufilm follows Ella Glendining (director) as she journeys to find another person like her while also navigating the pervasiveness of ableism. We welcome you to join us after to discuss your thoughts with each other over pizza and refreshments.

This event is open to students, staff and alumni.

Career Accelerator Neurodiversity and Disability Mentoring Workshop

Date: Wednesday 6th December

Time: 1.30pm-2.30pm

Location: iQ East Court, Room 0.14

Workshop description: Career Accelerator is a youth organisation that supports people from diverse backgrounds to prepare for and secure jobs in professional sectors through mentoring led by top businesses. They will be coming onto campus to deliver this session about their Neurodiversity and Disability Mentoring Programme, which offers students the opportunity to receive three months of one-to-one careers support from an experienced mentor. If you would like to find out more about the Neurodiversity and Disability Mentoring Programme and how you can apply, please join us!

Sign up for the workshop via this link.

Staff Equality Networks: Co-Chairs Drop-in session

Date: Wednesday 22nd November

Time: 2.00pm-3.00pm

Location: Online via MS Teams

Would you like to be a Co-Chair for one of our Staff Equality Networks? Elections are taking place to appoint Co-Chairs of our:

• Staff Disability Network
• Parents & Carers Network
• QMOut (LGBTQIA+) Network

Join Michael Janetta, People, Culture and Inclusion Engagement Manager, at this informal drop-in session to find out more about the Co-Chair roles, discuss how you can stand for election, how you can vote and ask any other questions you may have.

You will find the MS Teams link to join the drop-in session posted in the network Teams channels.

You can also find out more information on the Staff Networks Page. 

Lunch and Learn: The History of UK Disability Legislation

Date: Postponed

Time: Postponed

Location: Postponed

Please note: This event has been postponed. Details of a new date and time will be publicised once confirmed.

Join Eleanor McDavis (EDI Manager) who will present this informative Lunch and Learn on the history of disability legislation in the UK.

Carer’s Rights Day - Thursday 23 November 2023

UKDHM coincides with Carer’s Rights Day that is taking place on Thursday 23rd November and is organised by Carers UK. Also referred to as caregivers, carers are individuals who provide unpaid care and support to family members, friends, or neighbours wo have a physical or mental illness, disability, or frailty. In the UK alone, approximately 6.5 million people fulfil the role of caregivers, making a significant impact on the lives of those they care for and society as a whole.

Many disabled people are themselves carers for others, with 27% of carers who completed Carers UK’s ‘State of Caring’ survey in 2022 saying they had a disability

Carers Rights Day shines a light on the invaluable work undertaken by carers throughout the UK and is an opportunity to help to ensure they receive the recognition, support, and resources they deserve. Read more about Carers Rights Day on Connected.

At Queen Mary the Parents and Carers Network aims to support the working lives of employees with caring responsibilities.