Events

Launch UK Disability History Month 2024

Thu, 14 Nov 2024
18:30–20:00
Online

Speakers Include:

View the recording of the launch here.


UKDHM at Queen Mary

There are many great events taking place throughout the month at Queen Mary.
Please consult their programme here.


UKDHM at De Montfort

This year at DMU, we have an exciting and inclusive programme of virtual and in‑person events taking place for Disability History Month (DHM) between Thursday 14 November and Friday 20 December.
See the full programme here.


Celebrate 40 Years of SPECTRUM

Saturday November 16, 2024  
15:00–18:00
The Whitworth Suite, Unity 12, 9-19 Rose Road, Southampton, SO14 6TE

This celebration will honour the incredible journey of SPECTRUM over the past four decades, highlighting our achievements in advocating for disability rights and empowering disabled individuals. It will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, share stories, and enjoy good food and drinks.

The venue is fully accessible, and if you have any specific accommodations or dietary requirements, please let us know in advance so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Please RSVP to ensure your place at this landmark event.
contact us at info@spectrumcil.co.uk.


UKDHM Art Event – Design Session

November 15, 2024  
13:00–15:00
 the Olive Grove Café, Central Methodist Church, Preston PR1 2NL

Everyone welcome to contribute to the designing session of what will become our UK Disability History Month Community Artwork piece. This artwork will be user-led in its focus, and, following the themes of Disability Employment and Livelihood (this year’s Disability History Month theme).

We will then be holding on Wednesday 20th November 2024; 1pm / 13:00 – 3pm / 15:00 at Committee Room A, Town Hall, Preston PR1 2RL for the UKDHM Art Event – Creative Session #1

This will be the first of several creation sessions, where those in attendance, using plans from the Design Session, will begin making a Community Artwork piece for UK Disability History Month 2024. Artwork supplies will be provided, along with hot and cold beverages. Further sessions will be planned during this creative session and the design session, depending on the availability of the groups in attendance throughout UK Disability History Month 2024.


Beds SU – Students with Disabilities forum

18 November 2024
15:30
Luton Campus

Join us for an informal and social Student Forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges people with disabilities face when seeking employment. This event seeks to capture your views and explore the ways in which the SU and University can better support students into getting employment alongside their studies or post university.

Your Co-President Seyi Lowo, members of the University Careers team and to be confirmed local charities and business will join the conversation.

This event is open to All students with disabilities and if you are unable to join in person there will be online access via Microsoft teams.


BDF webinar: Inclusive Enough? Navigating self-ID in the workplace

26 Novermber 2024
14:00–15:00

Online

Is it really necessary for employees to share information about their disabilities in a truly inclusive workplace? We will dive into this important debate and explore how organisations can support all employees, however they choose to identify.

This webinar will be hosted by Texthelp and introduced by Donna Thomson, Principal Marketing Specialist, Texthelp. Hear best practices and challenges from leading voices on how to support employees with sharing, and learn actionable steps to enhance EDI efforts and support diverse identities.

More info here.


Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) event: Living with motor neurone disease: a special talk for Disability History Month

27 Novermber 2024
12:30–13:30

Online

This one-hour online talk will provide an overview of motor neurone disease (MND), local MND services and research. We will explore what it means to live well with MND.

Join Rachel Thomson, Sussex MND Care & Research Network Coordinator, and Fiona Eldridge, MND Specialist practitioner, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, for this online event, hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) for Disability History Month.

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/equalities/newsandevents/evnts?id=66086


Herts Disability Workshop

27 November 2024
13:00–16:00
University of Hertfordshire LC154

Hear from Herts Alumni about disabilities as a whole and their personal experiences. Covering topics ranging from Neurodiversity and ADHD to Workplace Barriers, Understanding Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, there will be an interactive workshop discussing each topic in a manageable manner. With 4 workshops in total and a Q&A panel towards the end, this event aims to provide a holistic overview on disabilities in their entirety!

EDI Office
w.padfield2@herts.ac.uk


TUC Webinar: Negotiating for Reasonable Adjustments

27 November 2024
14:00–15:00

Online

Reasonable adjustments are changes an employer makes to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to someone’s disability at work. But what is defined as ‘reasonable’ and what else should union reps know? Join us during Disability History Month for this briefing on what reps need to know about negotiating for reasonable adjustments.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f4vxG_nmRrOc2aSkVn0S4w#/registration

Contact
tuceducation@tuc.org.uk


University of Reading – Disability History Month Flagship Event

29 November 2024
12:00–17:00

Reading Students’ Union, Whiteknights Campus

As part of Disability History Month, this dynamic drop-in event will be packed with networking, interactive workshops, and engaging exhibitions reflecting the national theme. There will be opportunities to discover local and national disability support organisations, share experiences, and dive into discussions on workplace accommodations and allyship. The event will wrap up with an engaging panel discussion hosted by the Reading Students’ Union.
Register here

Workshop Programme:
12:00 – 12:30
Skills to work in the heritage sector: MERL
The MERL has been developing its skills offer to school, college and university students over a number of years. In this workshop we shall discuss the various opportunities and offer case studies of successful partnership working.

13:00 – 13:30
Resume Building: HR
How to make your CV stand out when applying for jobs, what to include and how to present it.

14:00 – 14:30
Interview Tips: HR
How to stand out from the crowd at interview stage, how to prepare and receiving feedback.

15:00 – 15:30
Connecting with the Staff Disability Plus Network?: Staff Network
Join the Staff Disability Plus Network for a workshop on fostering an inclusive workplace, offering insights into the network’s initiatives and resources for staff with disabilities.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to honour and recognise the profound significance of Disability History Month, as we embrace this year theme of Employment and Livelihood.

For any questions, please contact us on: email events@reading.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 118 378 6718


The Mariner, the Savant, and the Princess – Three extraordinary lives linked to the Royal Pavilion

30 November 2024
2–4pm
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

Biracial freelance inclusion researcher for B&H Black History, Suchitra Chatterjee will lead an interactive presentation showcasing the lives of Tom Wiggins, Billy Waters and Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. To include extracts of music linked to Tom and Billy.

This session will explore the lives of three remarkable historical figures—Billy Waters, former Sailor and London Busker, Tom Wiggins, Musical Prodigy and Autistic Savant, and Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, Indian royalty, suffragette, freedom fighter and Nurse—through their connections with the iconic Royal Pavilion. Each left an indelible mark on history through their unique contributions to music, social justice, and cultural heritage.

After the talk there will be opportunity to discuss the intersection of race, disability, activism and music and to reflect on how their disabilities both hidden and physical influenced their lives.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements you would like us to be aware of.

Book tickets here.



Made for More

3 December 2024
6.00pm
School of Global Development, University of East Anglia

In Made for More, Dave Shraga explores these issues with reference to his own journey from a life-changing accident in Zimbabwe, via experiences of non-inclusive employment in London, to development studies, self-employment and charity work in Norwich.

The 25-minute premiere will be followed by Q&A with Dave and the team behind the film, including filmmaker Ayoola Joyalemi.

Room: ZICER 2.02 (take the lift to the top floor of the Zuckerman Institute)
School of Global Development, University of East Anglia

Click for an online campus map

Click if you’d like to register your attendance


A Life of My Own: Elliott Carswell seeks work

4 December 2024
8.00pm
West London Trades Union Club

West London Trades Union Club’s 2024 UK Disability History Month event is a showing of A Life of My Own: Elliott Carswell seeks work, followed by informal discussion. 8:00pm, Wednesday 4 December 2024, in the bar, 33-35 Acton High Street, London, W3 6ND, access details at https://wltuc.com/access. Free. Non-members welcome.


Inclusive Companies Webinar

12 December 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
West London Trades Union Club

Facilitated by: Dr. Richard Rieser OBE


This year’s theme, “Disability Livelihood and Employment,” explores the historical context of the disability pay gap, systemic barriers, and the future of disability inclusion in the workplace. With the recent government mandate on Disability Pay Gap reporting, we’ll discuss its potential for change and the challenges that lie ahead.



Key Takeaways:

Historical roots of the disability pay gap

Systemic barriers to fair employment

Recognition of disabled individuals’ contributions

The impact of the Disability Pay Gap Reporting mandate

Actionable strategies for an inclusive workplace



Click here to register, be part of this important discussion: https://lnkd.in/eYmmBWJ6


Resources at University of Plymouth

Disability History Month at the Charles Seale-Hayne Library

As part of Disability History Month the Charles Seale-Hayne Library has a fantastic display on Level 1 containing a selection of books and some links to further information. 

In addition to this the Disability History Month libguide has been released and as part of the month are promoting their Tech for Learning guide as well. 


Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights

Exhibition
19 September 2024 – 27 April 2025 
Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE

Explore the profound impact of physical work on health and the body at our new major exhibition.

‘Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights’ delves into the stories of underrepresented workers and their rights within precarious and unsafe labour environments. From protests to healing practices, the exhibition unveils hidden histories of resistance and collective action.

Through a collection of over 150 items, including historical objects, contemporary artworks, films and new commissions, we invite you to witness the interconnectedness of working practices across the globe and the enduring fight for workers’ rights.

Visit the Wellcome Collection website here.


Manchester Central Library Showcase Exhibition

Exhibition
October 2024 – January 2025
St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD

The Disabled People’s Archive is currently holding an exhibition at Manchester Central Library in the display cases on the ground floor near the café. This is to celebrate UK Disability History Month and to showcase all the hard work we have done in the past few years on the project.

We have 14 cases labelled A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N. In total we have 63 items, all of which are numbered with a corresponding paragraph of information in our programme which you can find below. We will also have roaming copies in the exhibition space. 

We are using this showcase as an experiment of how to host an exhibition in the most accessible way possible in a space we can’t control, so that we can help design future exhibitions and displays in a way that works for disabled people. One way we have done this is by having programmes available online for those who may not be able to make it to the library to see the exhibition in person. We have created programmes in accessible formats as well as having scans and images of what is in the exhibition space. 

See the programme here.