November 10, 2023
Disability History Month runs from November 16th to December 16th
This month marks Disability History Month, and colleagues will have the opportunity to recognise and acknowledge our disability history with events taking place across the University.
Professor Jackie Carter, Disability Lead for Academic EDI, said: “Disability History Month is an opportunity to reflect on those who have fought for the access and rights we enjoy today – and that fight continues through us as we work for disability inclusion.”
“Lighting up our buildings purple is one way of highlighting our commitment to all disabled students and staff and a signal to the community of the work we are doing to create a more inclusive University of Manchester that we all belong to. We are passionate about disability inclusion and are determined to make a difference to the experiences of disabled staff and students.”
participate
All events are open to faculty, staff and students.
Wednesday, November 29th – Demystifying Disabilities with Dr. Shani Dhanda
Lunch and networking 12-12.50 – Kilburn Atlas Rooms, lecture 1pm Kilburn
Dr Shani Dhanda, one of the UK’s most influential disabled people and winner of the 2020 BBC 100 Women of the Year award, demystifies disability, understands the social model of disability and gives you the confidence to speak to and be an ally to disabled colleagues and students.
A BSL interpreter will be in attendance and the event will be live streamed – if you would like to watch the live stream please reserve your seat via the link above.
Sunday, December 3
Academy, Dusk
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Academy building will be lit up in purple.
Monday, December 4 – Illuminating the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons
Please join us on Monday, December 4th at 4pm for a special event celebrating our diverse faculty, staff and students with disabilities.
Let’s brighten the night with unity and inclusion. Capture the moment with photos and show off the strength of diversity. Bring your friends and let’s shine together!
Tuesday, December 5th – Disability History Month Film Screening of “And Then Barbara Met Alan”
1pm to 3pm Manchester Metropolitan University – Lecture Room G35, Manchester, M15 6BH
The University of Manchester and MMU’s Disability Staff Network would like to invite you to a screening of this fantastic film to mark Disability History Month.
Then Barbara Met Alan is a 2022 British drama television film about Barbara Lisicki and Allan Holdsworth, founders of the disability activist organisation Disabled People’s Direct Action Network (DAN). It is written by Jack Thorne and Genevieve Barr and stars Ruth Madeley and Arthur Hughes.
Two cabaret performers, Barbara, a comedian, and Alan, an activist performer, met at a concert in 1989 and fell in love. Driven by their passion and their own life experiences of being mistreated by an ableist society, the two helped found DAN (Disability Direct Action Network) and led protests for disability rights that ultimately led to the passage of the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995. As the movement grew and they had children, their relationship began to come under pressure.
The film is signed and subtitled.
Thursday, December 7 – Unleashing Talent: Universal Design for Colleges
1:00pm – 2:00pm, online, 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes Q&A
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences
Dr Catherine Dean is an Associate Professor in Healthcare Research at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich. Her research investigates the everyday management practices needed to maximise the health of people with long-term illnesses and disabilities, including adherence to medication and diet, falls prevention and depression and anxiety interventions. Catherine has worked with international pharmaceutical companies to develop checklists for quality patient engagement at all stages of drug development.
In this session, we discuss the impact of rarely accessible academic and research environments, how she has been driving change, and her aspirations for the future.
About Disability History Month
UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event focusing on the history of the struggle for equality and human rights for disabled people.
UKDHM 2022 will run from Wednesday 16th November to Friday 16th December.
This year’s theme is “Disabilities, Children and Young People.”
Co-chairs of the Disability Staff Network, Rachel Hayes, Stephen Pearce and Laura Howard, said: “As a group of staff networks working in higher education, we are looking forward to reflecting on the history of disabled people fighting for equality and human rights, with disability, children and young people being particular topics.”
“We look forward to hosting, supporting and participating in a range of events with our diverse colleagues and guests, which we hope will support our efforts in raising awareness and achieving equality for people with disabilities.”
Further information
If you’re running an event during Disability History Month and would like it to be added to this list, please email [email protected]