Started in 2010, UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event creating a platform to focus on the history of the fight for equality and human rights for disabled people. Its aim is to celebrate the lives of disabled people, challenge ableism and achieve equality. This week (18^th November – 18^th December) marks the start of UKDHM 2022.

This year the theme is Disability, Health and Wellbeing. UKDHM intends to examine the history of oppression, denial of human rights, consequences of the medical model approach to disability and impact of the Covid pandemic.

To mark UKDHM the Disability flag will be flying from Sussex House over the coming weeks.

David Ruebain, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Culture, Equality and Inclusion says, “I am delighted that we will be marking Disability History Month.  Disabled people have come a long way but there remain too many physical, organisational and attitudinal barriers and there is much more to do.  We have the privilege of being able to recognise and build on the work of the disability activists and allies who came before us and Disability History Month gives us a focused opportunity to do so.”

Resources and Support for Staff

The Staff Disability Network is for members of staff who have a disability. You can find more information about the network and links to useful resources on our disability equality and inclusion pages.

If you would like to join the network or would like further information, you can contact the network by emailing staffdisabilitynetwork@sussex.ac.uk

Staff can also access the Workplace Adjustment toolkit, launched in UKDHM 2021 for more information and guidance for staff and managers, including our membership to the Business Disability Forum.

Resources and Support for Students

Information for students is available on the Disability Advice page and the Student Hub for health, support and wellbeing services available at Sussex.

The Disability Team provides confidential information and advice to current and future students on disability-related study support and accessing disability-related funding.

Students can also find out more about reasonable adjustments for teaching, exams, and assessments.