UK Disability History Month 2022

UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event focused on the history of disabled people’s fight for equality and human rights. 

UKDHM 2022 will take place from the evening of 16 November until Friday 16 December and the 2022 theme is Disability, Health and Well Being.

The University is helping to mark the awareness month by highlighting relevant events and activities, lighting up the Parkinson Building for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) and sharing the support available for disabled staff and students.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December 2022)

International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place during UK Disability History month on 3 December. The University of Leeds will be marking this day by featuring in the #PurpleLightUp campaign. The Parkinson building will be lit purple to symbolise our support for our disabled staff and students and our commitment to improving disability equality and inclusion. 

Is it Accessible?

A video produced by the University Web Accessibility Project aims to help raise awareness and provide insight into digital accessibility issues. The ‘Is it accessible?’ video is embedded on the Digital Accessibility site, which also has information and links to other resources. There will be an audio described version of the video available soon.

‘Is it accessible?’ Digital accessibility for staff at Leeds video transcript

Events 

Details of more UKDHM events will be listed below. Please check back regularly for new additions.

Internal Events

Student Disability Services
Join the Disability Services team for a full programme of UKDHM events this month including online and in person events, talks and more.

Student Careers Service
Disability History Month: Transitioning From University to the Workplace
Date: 6 December, 14-15:00
Location: Hybrid
About: Hear experts discuss the right to ask for support from an employer, how to know what to ask for, and how to ask for it.

Coffee Career Chat: Disability History Month (drop-in session)
Date: 7 December, 10-12:00
Location: In person
About: Career planning can be challenging and overwhelming for all students. If you're a disabled student, it may feel even more so. So why not come along to our informal drop-in session to discuss your questions and concerns in a safe, cosy space? Free tea and coffee! 

External Events

UKDHM.org
Date: 17 November
Location: Online
About: Join UKDHM.org for the online launch of UK Disability History Month 2022.

Best practice to support disabled students in Higher Education (Eventbrite)
Date: 23 November, 14-15:30
Location: Online
About: Royal Holloway's Disability and Mental Health Staff Network invites students, staff and the public to take part in a panel discussion with representatives from Disabled Students UK.

Disability History Month 2022 at LSBU (Eventbrite)
Date: 24 November, 16:30
Location: Online
About: Join London South Bank University (LSBU) for a panel discussion on Disability and Employment.

York Disability Week
Date: 26 November - 3 December
Location: Various locations across the city in person and online
About: This city wide event includes a programme of diverse activities and topics including art exhibitions, workshops and forums.

Disability-inclusive employment – what works? (Institute of Development Studies)
Date: 5 December, 12:30-14:00
Location: Online, Zoom
About: In this event, the editors of Journal of International Development will be joined by some of the authors contributing to a special issue in a discussion of their research, before an open discussion about disability inclusive employment.

Diversity and Ability Conference 2022: What Inclusion Looks Like
Date: 5-6 December
Location: Brighton
About: Join Diversity and Ability to mark the International Day of Disabled People and share best practice in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Sheffield Hallam Staff Disability Network - Experiences of Disabled People
Date: 7 December
Location: Online, Teams
About: All are welcome to this event where Sheffield Hallam colleagues will share their personal experiences of disability, reflect on barriers and enablers and offer advice and tips on supporting disabled people.

In conversation with Amy Vreeke (Addleshaw Goddard)
Date: 14 December, 12-13:00
Location: Online
About: Comedian Amy Vreeke  will be reflecting on her chronic disease and experience with a hidden disability.

Support for disabled students and staff at the University

Students

• The Disability Services team provide support for disabled students.
• The Careers Service for students provides access to MyCareer where students can find vacancies, events, and opportunities to support employability. Book to speak to an Employability and Progression Assistant (EPA), who are dedicated graduates from underrepresented backgrounds helping students from underrepresented backgrounds. If you’re looking for support with career planning, application support, or anything careers related, contact an EPA to set up an appointment (EPA.careers@leeds.ac.uk). 
• The Leeds University Union (LUU) has information about support for disabled students and the LUU’s approach to accessibility for its members. There are also a number of relevant LUU societies including Mind Matters.

Staff

• Disabled employees and their managers can access a range of disability information and guidance from the Equality & Inclusion Unit.
• There are a range of equity Staff Networks to join at the University including the Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network, Chronic Pain and Fatigue Staff and PGR network and the Bipolar Disorders Staff Network.
• The Wellbeing, Safety and Health website provides information about the Staff Counselling and Psychological Support service and Occupational Health service available to colleagues.
• Occupational Development and Professional Development (OD&PL) have a suite of OD&PL equality and inclusion programmes, projects and events supporting the University Equality and Inclusion Framework.