The theme of this year's Disability History Month is ‘disability livelihood and employment' and the theme of the International People with Disabilities awareness day is ‘Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: the role of Innovation in Fuelling an Accessible and Equitable World’.
During this month we are inviting our community to take part in events and discover resources that offer insights into barriers disabled people face.
If you have an event you would like included in this year's programme please email diversity@bath.ac.uk with the details. The list of activities below will be regularly updated with the latest activities and events throughout November and December.
Disability support for members of staff and Getting support if you have a disability as a student.
Musical Comedy Performance: I Don't Have a Maths GCSE by Mia Borthwick
Date and time: Monday 25th November, 6pm – 7pm, The Edge Events Space.
Comedian Mia Borthwick doesn't have a maths GCSE. She does, however, have two 5* Edinburgh Fringe shows, some extremely relatable anecdotes, and even a few dance breaks. As part of Disability History Month, the University, and Neurodiversity Network, are offering the opportunity to see this highly rated show about success, failure, and dyscalculia for free.
Tickets are free, but booking is essential. Book your place here.
Workshops
Supporting staff with cancer for Line Managers/Supervisors
Date and time: 28th November 13:30 – 16:30.
Location: East Building 0.15
The University is pleased to host a local charity Why… We Hear You to share an in-person workshop with our Line Managers and Supervisors in supporting staff who are impacted by cancer or other life-threatening conditions.
Access to work presentation for Staff and Line Managers/Supervisors
Date and time: 12th December 14:00-15:00
Location: Online event on Teams
The Department for Work and Pension will be presenting how employees can access support and what reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
Inclusive design for learning and communication
Date and time: 19th November 14:00 – 15:30 or 6th December 11:00 – 12:30
This online workshop is recommended for all staff who communicate out via any form of a document, email, or on the web. This workshop aims to raise awareness of accessibility issues faced by many students and staff. The session will include practical examples of working with inaccessible materials.
We will look at ways to avoid creating inaccessible documents and will provide simple guidelines to help you produce documents that can be accessed by all. We are hoping to promote good practice, raise awareness of accessibility and highlight why it is so important.
The Assistive Technology Team, Luiza Bell and William Trimble, will lead the session.
Background Information:
In September 2018, a set of regulations called the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations came into force. The regulations strengthen rules around accessibility and, in particular, digital accessibility. Digital accessibility is the ability of a website, mobile application or electronic document (e.g. MS Word/PowerPoint/Excel/PDF) to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those users who have visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities. All resources must meet the Digital Accessibility regulations, where appropriate.
Book your space for 19 November 14:00 – 15:30
Book your space for 6 December 11:00 – 12:30
Meet an HR Advisor for guidance on adjustments plan for staff
Date and time: 26 November 14:00 – 16:00, 4 December 11:00-13:00 or 12 December 09:30 – 11:30
We aim to support staff with a disability by making workplace adjustments so that the environment is as accessible as possible. Line managers will ensure an agreement for adjustments plan is in place. This will include a workstation assessment and if required, a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP). If you’d like to discuss support in creating a plan, updating or talking to your line manager about a disability. Please reach out to your HR Advisor or use one of the bookable 30 minute sessions.
Careers panel and workshop for students
Date and time: 22nd November 1400 – 1500
Location: Online
Join the Careers team for this panel which will include staff with lived experience, an external disability expert, and a HR representative.
Register your interest by emailing diversity@bath.ac.uk
An Introduction to Neurodiversity and Neuroinclusive Working – workshop run by Nyika Suttie.
Date and time: 27th November, 12:30 – 13:30
Neurodiversity is something of a buzzword at the moment, but what does it really mean? This 60-minute workshop will explore the concept of neurodiversity as natural variations in the brain, and discuss the limitations of a deficit-based, medical model view of conditions such as autism. Discover how you can work with the strengths of neurodivergent people and students and ensure that your office or lecture hall is welcoming to people of all neurotypes.
About the presenter: Nyika Suttie is the current Chair of the Staff and PGR Neurodiversity Network, and before moving into EDI taught autistic students at a Further Education College. Nyika was diagnosed with dyspraxia and ADHD as an adult and is dedicated to the inclusion of neurodivergent people across all aspects of life. She has a Master's degree in Special and Inclusive Education.
This is an online workshop. Please book your place by emailing us at diversity@bath.ac.uk.
Accessible Campus exhibition
Dates: 2-4th December
The University has been investing in making campus more physically accessible. Join the Campus Infrastructure team to view the Accessible campus exhibition in the Library. You will be able to view current campus map, plans for the future and key developments.
Register your interest by emailing diversity@bath.ac.uk
Digital Accessibility
Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital documents, emails, and web content easy for people to access, understand, and navigate.
View the digital content team new digital accessibility guidance to help you create web content, emails and shared documents that comply with accessibility regulations.
The SU
To find out what activities are being put on by the Students' Union visit their dedicated Disability History Month webpage.
Networks
If you're a member of staff with a disability, consider joining one of our fantastic Networks - aFLAME Disability Network: Staff and PGR or the Neurodiversity Network for staff and PGR students - for advice, support, and the opportunity to socialise. If you are a student check out the SU's Disability Action Group.
Training
Do you want to expand your knowledge to help support our staff and students with disability? Please consider undertaking this self-paced training module on Disability Awareness.
#NeverOK
This Disability History Month we are bolstering our support for the #NeverOK campaign, a citywide campaign which makes clear that bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct are #NeverOK. Through training students in bystander intervention, and developing allyship and community within the University, the campaign is creating a more inclusive and race-conscious environment. You can find out how to get involved in the campaign here.
Support and Report
The University can help, you can tell us if you have experienced any form of discrimination, including microaggressions. Use Support and Report, we listen and take you seriously. We can support, offer guidance, and make change #NeverOK.
Library reading list for Disability History Month
The Library has put together a selection of resources for Disability History Month – Read Well, Neurodiversity and Disability Awareness. This list will be expanded and updated as we acquire more stock. If you have any suggestions for books to add to the list, please email the Library at library@bath.ac.uk.