Disability History Month

Disability History Month 2024

Disability, Livelihood and Employment

What's on Timeline

Disability, Livelihood and Employment

Disability History Month is a yearly nationwide celebration which was started by UKDHM to shine a spotlight on historical and current achievements and issues to do with disability. In 2024 DHM runs from the 14 Nov - 20 Dec around the theme of Disability, Livelihood and Employment.

At Kent, DHM is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the support that is available across the institution for students and staff with disabilities, run events and activities that both celebrate people with disabilities and also highlight issues of social injustice and barriers that still exist, as well as exploring disability history at Kent.

What's On in Disability History Month 2024

We have a full calendar of events and activities planned throughout Disability History Month 2024 in partnership with Kent Students' Union.

MyPlus Students' Club

MyPlus Students Club, an award-winning website that provides disabled students with advice, resources and support to land a dream job with disability-confident organisations. A Pathway is a series of self-directed mini modules, e-books and quizzes that help you understand more about a particular employability topic. In addition, you can access the contact details of disability experts at over 50 employers, and gain priority access to their jobs, placements, internships and events.

MyPlus Students' Club

Wellbeing Zone

Discover a range of relaxing activities, and navigate the different wellbeing zones on campus, including mindful music playlists, poetry, walks, and seasonal activities

Click here to go to the Wellbeing Zone

We need your help

We are currently building a webpage to feature facilities and services that are particularly great at supporting students and staff with additional needs in Canterbury and Medway. Examples could be a restaurant with outstanding access for wheelchair users, a hairdresser who is brilliant at supporting autistic people, supermarkets with quieter shopping hours or cinema's with amazing hearing loops. Basically anything local that you think other students and staff need to know about.

Send us your recommendations

Blog Posts

Explore this series of blog posts by Kent staff and students

Image shows a group of people sat of sofas and talking

Curiosity Hub

The University and Kent Union have collated a wealth of resources for you to explore at your leisure to learn more

KU Curiosity Hub Library Reading List

Accessible Films and Shows at the Gulbenkian

Did you know that the Gulbenkian Theatre and Cinema works hard to ensure that it not only provides a platform for disabled performers, but also works to ensure that it's shows and films are accessible to all staff and students, including audio description, signed shows and relaxed performances and shows. Check out their webpages for more information

Find out more about Gulbenkian accessibility

Support Processes

Please find below links to support policies and processes that you may not be aware of

Film series: Our Stories

Students, staff and alumni on their lived experience of disability, and ways to reduce stigma and improve inclusion in our Kent community, and beyond.

To access larger or full-screen view, click the name beneath each video. Full transcripts are available at the bottom of this page.

Maisie

Staff member, Canterbury campus. (2 minutes)

Josie

Undergraduate student, Medway campus. (2 minutes 18 seconds)

Anna

Staff member, Medway campus. (5 minutes 40 seconds)

Millie

Former student. (2 minutes 21 seconds)

Jonjo

Former student. (2 minutes 29 seconds)

Jane

Postgraduate student, Canterbury campus. (1 minute 47 seconds)

Hannah

Staff member, Canterbury campus. (2 minutes 42 seconds)

Casper

Student, Canterbury campus. (8 minutes 48 seconds)

Our Stories - video transcripts

Download the transcripts for the Our Stories film series as accessible Microsoft Word documents:

Disability support and networks at Kent

Student Support and Wellbeing

Student Support and Wellbeing advisers can help students set up the help you need - you can get in touch at any point during your time at Kent.
Accessibility team

The Accessibility team can help students access learning in ways that work for you through assistive technology and by providing alternative formats of teaching materials.
Templeman Library

Templeman Library is set up to enable everyone access to what they need.
Making your content accessible

When creating any content for any audience, such as documents, emails, presentations, meeting notes, images, etc, you're legally obliged to make it accessible for people with disabilities. Get help to do this and make better content for everyone!
Disability Staff Network

The network connects and supports staff who are disabled, have a long-term health condition or neurodivergence, and those working with or who are interested in inclusive practices.
Occupational Health

Kent staff can self-refer to Occupational Health, who can deal with a wide range of work-related health issues.

Timeline: our place in disability history.

This timeline was created in 2022 and displayed in the Marlowe building lobby from Thursday 24 November until Friday 16 December 2022. The physical exhibition was audio described on SoundCloud.

Explore the full timeline here as a narrated video (7 mins, closed captions available), or scroll down to read a slightly abridged version.

You can also download this content as a large-print accessible Word document.

1965

Kent welcomes first students.

Archive photo. Woman being lifted out of bus into wheelchair.

The first 500 students arrive at the University of Kent, including Ann Smith, a wheelchair user. The unprepared University hastily adds infrastructure to increase accessibility, including grab-rails in her room.

1970

New laws for equal access.

Two people viewed from behind walking down steps towards a concrete building.

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 is a breakthrough for disability rights. Local authorities must now provide equal access to educational facilities. This leads to the addition of some disabled parking on campus in 1971.

1975

Disability in prospectus.

At the time of its first mention in a prospectus, the admissions process for disabled students seems to be based on the medical model of disability: where the disabled person's body is viewed to be the barrier.

1979

First disability advisers.

Archive photo. Woman facing camera, sat at desk with old computer.

David Reason, a disabled academic, is appointed the first Adviser to Disabled Students. Eve Wilson (pictured) also acts as Adviser in the 1980s. It soon becomes clear that the workload is too much for a single role.

1983

Social model of disability.

Man with sunglasses, striped top and short grey hair and beard sitting in wheelchair.

Kent alumnus and lecturer Professor Mike Oliver (pictured here in 2018) develops the 'social model of disability', a new way of thinking after years of a 'medical model'.

The MA he leads is the first course in what is later termed Disability Studies.

Read Mike's 1983 book online

1980s

Progress on campus access.

Archive map showing recommended routes for wheelchair users across a university campus.

Throughout the 1980s there is a sharp increase in the rate at which funding is allocated and works carried out to increase physical accessibility across campus. Funding commitments include ramps and accessible toilers in many buildings across campus.

1993

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

Students at old fashioned desktop computers in a university Library.

The Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is established to help disabled full-time students cover equipment, non-medical helpers and general costs. However, part-time students will not become eligible for the DSA until 2000.

1995

Support unit created.

Blue steps in large modern atrium with a wall of windows on the left.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 gave rights to disabled people to prevent discrimination on the grounds of disability. This law change is a factor in Kent making the decision to establish a coordinated Disability Support Unit around this time.

2004

Formalised review processes.

Colour photograph of male student in study bedroom with an old fashioned computer.

New requirements for reasonable adjustments to make buildings accessible take effect in 2004. As a result, Kent's Disability Support Network Group and the Disabled Access Working Party gain importance, and are set to be merged into one review body.

2015

Disability to accessibility.

View from above of eight university students sat at indoor table with laptops and books.

In 2015, Kent partners with DisabilityGO (now AccessAble) to create an online accessibility guide to its buildings.

From 2017, the Kent Inclusive Practices (KIPs) make teaching more accessible by anticipating the needs of disabled students.

AccessAble campus guides

2017

DHM: raising awareness.

From 2017, Kent staff and students start collaborating to celebrate Disability History Month (DHM) with many events and initiatives. For DHM 2018, a series of humorous films feature students describe some odd attitudes towards disabled people.

'People are Weird' on YouTube

2018

Kent leads on accessibility.

Group of six smartly dressed people on stage holding an award.

Kent wins a Times Higher Education award for Outstanding Student Support, recognising innovative proactive rather than reactive approaches to access requirements.

In 2019, Kent hosts a Digital Accessibility Conference with local public sector bodies.

July 2022

Honorary graduates.

Man in graduation robes speaking at lectern in a cathedral.

Among many alumni who have contributed to improving society for people with disabilities, this year Dr Howard Leicester (pictured) and Kush Kanodia are awarded Doctors of Science for their work on social justice, accessibility, and social enterprise.

2022

Integrated support.

From the mid 2000s, the Disability Support Unit began to grow, incorporating dyslexia and mental health. In 2011, it became Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW), with around 40 full-time and sessional staff. In 2022, SSW has grown to over 70 staff.

Student Support and Wellbeing

This is where we are today. Now let's shape tomorrow.

A panel of four portraits of people,all seated.

The future belongs to all of us. Email EqualityAndDiversity@kent.ac.uk to share your stories, ideas, and expertise.

#DHMKent24

Check out #DHMKent24 on social media to see what's coming up this year...

Here are some photos of some of the events that took place on our campuses to celebrate Disability History Month at Kent in 2022.