It's Disability History Month!
From 20 November to 20 December, the University of Birmingham is celebrating Disability History Month – a time dedicated to recognising the history, experiences and achievements of disabled people, and promoting equality, inclusion and understanding across our community.
Throughout the month, students and staff are invited to take part in a programme of events, talks, exhibitions and learning opportunities that celebrate disabled voices and highlight the ongoing work towards accessibility and inclusion.
What’s on this month:
Disability, Careers and Me
Wednesday 19 November,
Online and in person (Old Gym)
An event to introduce you to the Change 100 Internship Programme and the tailored careers support available to disabled students.
Old Joe lights up purple
Wednesday 20 November and Wednesday 3 December
Old Joe, Chancellor's Court
Old Joe will be changing colour to Purple, to celebrate #PositivelyPurple, an international initiative that highlights and honours the economic impact of the 386 million disabled workers globally.
Understanding disability support at UoB
Available from Monday 1 December
Online resource
Learn about Reasonable Adjustment Plans (RAP), eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), as well as wider information about the types of support available. If you wish to receive a link to the resource when it becomes available, please contact the Student EDI Team (studentequality@contacts.bham.ac.uk).
Advocacy in action: a neurodivergent perspective on driving change
Wednesday 3 December, 13:00-14:00
Online
Join UoB alumna Iveta Pudilova for an interactive webinar exploring the challenges and impact of advocacy, with lived experience, practical insights, and student engagement through polls and Q&A.
Caring for the wounded: Birmingham’s WW1 military hospitals
Friday 5 December, 13:00-14:00
Join us for a fascinating talk by Martin Killeen and experience a unique opportunity to view original archives and rare books.
B-Film screening: 3 short films
Tuesday 9 December, 17:30-19:30
Muirhead G15
Sign up to watch 3 short films about disability and carers that both challenge expectations and shine a light on vital perspectives. We'll see Celestine Fraser's film Better, Bhulla Beghal's More Than A Parent and Sima Gonsai's Suspended Motion.
Browse the full events for Disability History Month.
Blog: Autism, Athletics and finding your community
Postgraduate student Clare shares how returning to high jump helped her reconnect with joy, confidence and community at university. In her blog, she reflects on her experience of being autistic – including both the challenges and the strengths – and how the right environment and support can help you thrive.
“I always seem to do things, that most people my age don’t do. I’m a mature student, starting my first year at UoB. I’m autistic and as well as studying, I work as an autism peer support worker. My lived experience helps me support neurodivergent students in universities.”
- Clare Gratrix, MA Inclusion (Autism – Adults)
Disabled Student Contribution Group (DSCG)
The voices, experiences, and ideas of disabled students are central to shaping our university. This group provides a space to share your perspectives and suggest improvements, helping us create a more inclusive and supportive environment. We welcome contributions from students of all backgrounds, courses, and study modes.
Sign up here to join the group.
We're here to support you
If you have a disability, mental health condition or learning difficulty, Student Disability Services are here to support you throughout your studies. They can help with reasonable adjustment plans, offer guidance on Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), and provide tailored advice based on your individual needs.