Have you noticed Old Joe looking a bit “purplier” than usual this month? Wondered why? Well, let me tell you!
It’s currently Disability History Month in the UK (14th Nov-20th Dec), and in recognition of the experiences, history, and contributions of disabled people, the university has got involved by lighting up Old Joe purple in solidarity.
This is something I’ve personally been really pleased to see, as someone studying a Masters in Social Policy here. I chose this course because of a passion for understanding and tackling social inequalities across society, which unfortunately includes systemic exclusions, disadvantages, and barriers for disabled people (Heslop, 2013; Tinson et al, 2016; Richards and Sang, 2018; Platt, 2019). Within my course, we’ve looked at how disability in the UK remains an issue that impacts several areas of life, including healthcare, poverty, employment, education, mental health, housing, access to benefits, and general independence. Clearly, this is a pressing social issue, and one that’s important to continuously reflect on.
As society becomes more understanding of the stigma and issues surrounding different disabilities, it is important for universities including Birmingham to continue to widen access to opportunities for students who apply with a disability, and those who get diagnosed during their time as a student. That’s why at Birmingham, the university has a range of services to support disabled students and prospective applicants. Birmingham also offers support for disabled students to access education through dedicated funding opportunities.
The university also aims to recognise the experience of carers, for example through the Young Carer Award and the Young Carer Assistance Fund, aiming to help those who care for relatives with disabilities to access higher education.
As we pay particular attention to the history and current circumstances impacting the lives of disabled people across the UK and the world, why not think about how you can make a difference for a disabled person in your community? The RNIB have advised this could be as simple as taking your bin in as soon as possible to keep the pavements clear for the blind, or offering a seat on a train for someone who needs it more than you do.
Make sure to keep an eye out for a purple Old Joe over these last few weeks on campus.