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Celebrating Disability History Month: Empowering Conversations and Inclusive Events

At DMU, we’re proud to mark Disability History Month with a series of thought-provoking and inspiring events designed to celebrate diversity, foster understanding, and spark conversations about inclusivity. This year’s lineup offers something for everyone, from personal stories to engaging discussions, aimed at students and staff alike.

Here’s what’s happening:

Voices of Ability: Navigating Work and Life with Disabilities (Wed, 20 Nov 2024, 11:00 – 12:30)

This inspiring session features real-life stories of individuals navigating the complexities of work and life with disabilities. It’s an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences, learn from unique perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue about creating inclusive spaces.

In Conversation with Author Julie Harris (Wed, 20 Nov 2024, 16:00 – 17:00)

Julie Harris speaks to Dr Meredith Wilkinson about her book ‘Boldly belong: The power of being you in a disabling society’. They discuss experience of disability and the advice Julie gives in her book on self-acceptance and genuine belonging.

The Use of Support Dogs in Therapy for Disability(ies) (Tue, 26 Nov 2024, 13:00 – 14:00)

This talk focuses on the range of support dogs and their potential to be used in practice, with a focus of how healthcare professionals intend to use their own pack in my trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and why they think a pack is necessary for dog welfare.

Please note a therapy dog in training, a teacup Pomeranain (suspect Chihuhua mix) Anna Nicole will be present, but on a lead with a harness at all times.

The Benefits of Meditation (Thu, 5 Dec, 12:00 – 13:00)

Discover how meditation practices can transform the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in this insightful session. Drawing on over 15 years of meditation experience, this talk delves into the origins of meditation, blending scientific and traditional perspectives.

Learn about various techniques, including mindfulness, compassion meditation, and “Feeding Your Demons,” and their effectiveness in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. The session will also explore research on mindfulness meditation’s positive impact on individuals with learning challenges, ADHD, and severe speech or physical impairments.

This is an opportunity to explore how meditation fosters self-compassion, confidence, and resilience, empowering individuals to navigate challenges with trust in their own capacity and wisdom.

The History of Neurodiversity with Dr. Chris Knifton (Thu, 12 Dec, 10:00 – 11:00)

In this short one hour talk, Dr Chris Knifton compiles a brief potted history of neurodiversity including some interesting early found references and first cases for different types of neurodiversity, including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc., as well as critical discussions on the use and origins of the term and rise of the social model.

Prominent figures with neurodiversity will be highlighted amidst calls for reducing the stigma and social exclusion faced by many neurodivergent people.

As with any history, this talk will conclude with a look to the future and in particular how we see neurodiversity shaping higher education strategy, policy and practice

Get Involved!

We encourage all students and staff to join these events, not only to learn but also to contribute to conversations about disability and inclusivity. Together, we can continue building a community that celebrates diversity and ensures everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Find our more about Disability History Month and sign up for the events here to be part of the conversation!