This year will see the first ever Disability History Month (DHM) celebrated here at DMU, with an exciting and inclusive programme of virtual and in-person events taking place between Thursday 18 November and Saturday 18 December 2021.
UK Disability History Month (search @UKDHM or use #UKDHM to share) is an annual, month-long observance of the history of the disability rights movement; a celebration of the lives of disabled people past and present; and a commemoration of the achievements of disabled people. UKDHM aims to achieve equality for those with disabilities and to challenge disablism by exploring oppression. 2021's joint themes are Disability and Hidden Impairment and Disability Sex and Relationships.
This year's DHM at DMU highlights will include Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language taster sessions, a live viewing of the film Crip Camp followed by a panel discussion, conversations about the importance of intersectionality and much more.
Leanne Herbert, Co-Chair of DMU's Disabled Staff Network, said: "We are so excited to be holding our first ever Disability History Month here at DMU.
"Disability is a term that includes medical conditions, both mental and physical, not all of which are visible, as well as learning differences such as dyslexia.
"One of our main aims as a Disabled Staff Network is to highlight the breadth of conditions that are regarded as a Disability according to the Equality Act 2010 and to ensure that everyone at DMU, whether staff member or student, feels able to be open about the challenges and issues they face. In doing so, we believe we can help to remove the enduring stigma around many different conditions.
"We hope that you can come along to some of the sessions during the month to raise the profile of disability-related issues and to promote equality and diversity at DMU."
Check out our dedicated DHM microsite or view the full timetable of events - organised according to whether they're open to students and staff, or students only - below.
STAFF AND STUDENT EVENTS
UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities #PurpleLightUp (staff and students)
Friday 3 December
To mark the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities and recognise #PurpleLightUp, DMU will be lighting up Trinity House in purple.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been observed and promoted by the UN since 1992. The day aims to raise awareness of people with disabilities, as well as support their dignity and rights, and increase understanding of disability issues.
As a mark of respect for the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, #PurpleLightUp is a global movement that celebrates and raises awareness of the economic contribution that the 386 million disabled employees around the world have made.
We would also like to encourage you all to wear purple on the day and please do feel free to share your pictures with us on social media by tagging us on Twitter (@dmuleicester and @equalitydmu) and Instagram (dmuleicester).
'Crip Camp' and the fight for disability equality (staff and students)
Tuesday 7 December, 4–7:30pm (film showing at 4pm and panel discussion at 6:30pm)
Location: Hugh Aston 2.06
Join us for a live viewing of the film Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Netflix, 2020): an important story about reclaiming and celebrating your identity, telling your story, and discovering the power of community.
'If I have to feel thankful about an accessible bathroom, when am I ever gonna be equal in the community?'
- Judith Huemann, Crip Camp, 2020
'Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is both a gripping look at the history of disability rights movement and a timely call for action, urging us to explore our own duty to fight for the dignity of all people.'
- President Barack Obama, Executive Producer
You can watch the trailer here, and find out more about the film here.
This event is hosted in partnership with The DocHub@DMU (www.dochub.org) and moderated by:
- Dr Matthew Jones, Reader in Cinema Audiences and Deputy Programme Leader in Film Studies in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media at DMU;
- Ulrike Kubatta, Creative Director of The DocHub@DMU, an award-winning documentary producer/director and an Associate Professor in Research, Innovation & Professional Practice at DMU;
- Leanne Herbert, Training and Business Development Officer for Healthy DMU, student disability and mental health, and Co-Chair of the Disabled Staff Network (DSN) at DMU.
The panel will provide context to the film, and where it sits in the history of films about disability. You will be invited to take part in a discussion about the film and how your experiences of disability relate to Crip Camp. We will provide some viewing questions for you to consider as you watch, which will be emailed to you in advance.
You can watch Crip Camp at the event and attend the discussion panel, or alternatively you can view Crip Camp (this is available on Netflix if you have a subscription) prior to the event and just attend the panel discussion.
At the event, audience members will be invited to submit the names of their favourite disability-related films; a 'Top Ten list' will then be produced post-event, and publicised via the DHM microsite.
Please contact the DMU Events Office at dmuevents@dmu.ac.uk to register for the event, or if you have any questions.
Disability Sports History online lunchtime talk (staff and students)
Tuesday 7 December, 12-1pm
To mark UK Disability History Month we invite you to join a lunchtime talk about the history of disability sports with DMU Special Collections and guest speakers Dr. Susan Barton, co-author of a report on the legacy of the 2009 Special Olympics, and Vicky Hope-Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust.
Follow this link to register, or contact eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Deaf Awareness and British Sign Language (BSL) taster sessions (staff and students)
Deaf Awareness - Thursday 25 November, 1–2:30pm and Thursday 9 December, 1–2:30pm
British Sign Language - Thursday 25 November, 3–5pm and Thursday 9 December, 3–5pm
Location: The Breathing Space (sessions are repeated)
The sessions will be delivered by Freedomlink, who provide study support services for disabled students, employee support services and disability awareness training. They aim to develop an awareness and understanding of deafness and disability and develop confidence in supporting and communicating with deaf people.
Freedomlink's owner, Louise Westly, who was DMU's first deaf student and has both personal and professional experience of disability access issues, will be running the sessions.
You can learn how to sign in the fun and engaging BSL taster sessions, which will give you an insight into the Deaf Community as well as showing you some of the basics of BSL.
Please contact the DMU Events Office at dmuevents@dmu.ac.uk to register for the event, or if you have any questions.
DMU-CAN regular sessions for DHM (students and staff)
DMU's Centre for Accessibility Needs (DMU-CAN) host regular sessions to assist students and staff to access support:
Applying for or accessing Disabled Students Allowance: What you need to know
Thursday 18 November, 1–1:45pm
Ever wondered if you might be eligible to apply for Disabled Students Allowance? Are you stuck partway through the process and not sure what to do next? Join us to talk about what DSA funding is, and what to do next.
To join this event please register using this form. You will then be sent a link to join a Microsoft Teams meeting.
Solving: Structuring written work
Monday 22 November, 1–1:45pm
Join DMU staff and Claro Software, who will showcase a product specially designed to solve issues with structuring written work. Many hidden disabilities mean this task is especially challenging.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Summarising what you have read
Tuesday 23 November, 1–1:45pm
Join our DMU-CAN staff who will show you an amazing flexible program that any student can access via the Library. It's one of our favourites. Many students with hidden disabilities find MindView especially useful.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Spelling and writing issues
Wednesday 24 November, 1–1:45pm
Join Bob from Lexable software to show you a great productivity tool. Many students with hidden disabilities such as Mental Health conditions, Autism or Dyslexia find this especially useful.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Reading concerns
Thursday 25 November, 1–1:45pm
Join Claro Software and our DMU-CAN staff, who will show you an amazing program any student can access via the Library. It's got so many uses, we are offering two sessions on Claro Read.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Getting your words into a written form
Friday 26 November, 1–1:45pm
You may have heard of the wonder of computers that type as you talk. The library has software that can do this. Join our DMU-CAN staff to see this in action. Many hidden disabilities make typing a real challenge.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Summarising what you have read
Monday 29 November, 1–1:45pm
The Inspiration team and DMU-CAN staff will show you an amazing flexible program any student can access via the Library. It's one of our favourites. Many students with hidden disabilities find Inspiration especially useful.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Solving: Proofreading and writing text
Tuesday 30 November, 1–1:45pm
Join Claro Software and our DMU-CAN staff, who will show you an amazing program any student can access via the Library. It's got so many uses, we are offering two sessions on Claro Read.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
Navigating your way through support: Disabled Students Allowance and beyond
Wednesday 1 December, 12:30–2pm
Location: Kimberlin Library foyer
The Library team, DMU-CAN, and the Disability team will be showcasing the support on offer for anyone – not just those who identity as having a disability.
Arrange support, apply for Disabled Students Allowance, book a study needs assessment, order your equipment… whatever stage you are stuck at, come and talk to us. Barry Bennett Ltd will also be here.
No need to sign up, just come along on the day.
Solving: Making notes
Thursday 2 December, 1–1:45pm
We are often asked about how to assist with note-taking issues. The library has software that can do this. Join our DMU-CAN staff, who will show you this in action. Many people with hidden disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD and dyspraxia in particular find this especially helpful.
This is an example of a possible solution that can be funded via the Disabled Students Allowance.
You can join this meeting via the MS Teams meeting link.
OpenHouse: Solving support issues
Friday 3 December, 1–3pm
Location: The Breathing Space
Join Raheema Caratella, our student cohesion officer and faith adviser, to find out what wellbeing and mental health support and services you can access during your time at DMU. Alternatively, you can chat about study related issues, or just come along and join in some activities. The DMU-CAN team will be on hand to showcase software you can assess via the Library to help with study related tasks.
OpenHouse is the weekly drop in service for OpenFaith, we understand there can be cultural stigma surrounding disability, so join us this Disability History Month to start the conversation and break down barriers.
Students of all faiths and no faith are welcome to attend. No need to sign up, just come along on the day.
Applying for or accessing Disabled Students Allowance: What you need to know
Monday 6 December, 5–5:45pm
Ever wondered if you might be eligible to apply for Disabled Students Allowance? Are you stuck partway through the process and not sure what to do next?
Join us to talk about what DSA funding is, and what to do next.
To join this event please register using this form. You will then be sent a link to join a Microsoft Teams meeting.
STUDENT EVENTS
DMU's Autism Team hosts support with online dating, love and intense emotions (students)
A focus for UK Disability History Month 2021 is sex and relationships. DMU's Autism Team hosts regular sessions for students to develop their awareness and confidence around a number of different topics, and for DHM they are hosting two workshops exploring the above topics that students can book onto through the MyGateway bookings system:
Online Dating - Thursday 2 December, 3:30–4:30pm
Dating is complicated for everyone, but can be even more confusing for students with autism as there are so many unwritten rules that they might be unaware of, or might misunderstand. This session aims to make the rules of dating much clearer, particularly with regard to dating apps.
Sign up via this MyGateway Link.
Love and Intense Emotions - Thursday 9 December, 3:30–4.30pm
Falling in love can be both exciting and scary, and love can bring with it other intense emotions such as jealousy and insecurity. This session aims to help students with autism understand and manage the new and powerful emotions they are experiencing.
Sign up via this MyGateway Link.
Posted on Friday 3 December 2021