Blog
Disability Officer Report
Disability Committee
There is now a YUSU disability committee. It's meetings this term are at 6.15pm in odd weeks this term (8 Feb - L/036, 22 Feb - L/036, 8 March - L/N/003). There are still positions available on the committee, so keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved (you can also attend the meetings without being a committee member). There are also disability rep positions available on college committees - please get in touch with them if you're interested.
Sport and Students with Disabilities
I will be working with Ben and Emily to help evaluate YorkSport's provision for students with disabilities. We'll be putting together a questionnaire about your experiences and we want to hear from you whether or not you take part in sports at York. Hopefully, from the survey we'll be able to see what we can do as a union to make sports more accessible to students with disabilities. So, keep an eye out for it!
Transcripts for Video Blogs
I brought the topic of providing transcripts for union video blogs to Union Council last term and since then have been investigating with Ben and Lewis possible options to find the best way for this to be done.
Disability Forum
I ran disability forums in week 3 this term and week 9 last term . The next one will be at 4pm on Thursday in week 9. Every student in York who falls under the disability campaign is invited. The aim of the session will be to find out about students' experiences to feed back to the university and union. We'll provide you with some refreshments. The forum will be held in the Advice and Support Centre (in the Student Centre, James College). For more info, please email disability@yusu.org.
Disability Socials
I run social gatherings in the Courtyard on Mondays at 6.15pm in even weeks during term time and they are continuing throughout this term. Join us for a drink and a chat. If you'd like more info or would like to join the reminder mailing list, email: disability@yusu.org
University Meetings
I have continued to represent students with disabilities at university meetings, such as the Disability Equality Scheme Working Group meeting, the Undergraduate Supervision Review meetings and the E-Accessibility Forum.
The University's Disability Equality Scheme
The University has a Disability Equality Scheme which was originally written in 2006 and is reviewed and updated every 3 years: Disability Equality Scheme I was asked to do this for the Disability Equality Scheme Working Group, which I am just finishing off. I have included lots of feedback from students in the review. If you have anything you'd like to contribute, please drop me an email as soon as possible.
YUSU Disability on Facebook
YUSU Disability is on facebook: YUSU Disability Feel free to join the group or just keep an eye on it for news and information.
YUSU Elections: Disability Officer
We've reached that time of year when YUSU elections are about to begin. I would particularly like to encourage students to run for the position of Disability Officer. At the beginning I knew very little, so don't let that put you off. There is lots of great support from officers and YUSU staff, including the Welfare Officer (which will be Ben throughout the summer term). If you'd like more information about what my position involves, please feel free to email me (disability@yusu.org).
Scope Money Matters Survey
Here's a message from Scope: We want to know more about the financial experiences of disabled people and families with disabled children. With this feedback, we will look to influence financial information, advice and services for the better. We’d be very grateful if you’d take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. The survey will close on Monday 15 March 2010. Please go to: Scope Monday Matters Survey
As always, feel free to contact me at disability@yusu.org if you have any problems, comments, or suggestions.
Claire :)
