At Edge Hill Students' Union, we think UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is a really important chance for us to focus some of our time on achieving equality for our disabled students, celebrating your lives, and challenging disablism.

This year, we're asking that you DON'T DIS-ABILITY. Everyone has something that they can and can't do, and we've got a series of events this month to showcase talents, struggles, and daily frustrations faced by disabled Students at Edge Hill, and how we can ALL do simple things to create change, and stand in solidarity. 

Kathryn, your Disabled Students' Officer, told us about her own experiences and what you can do:

I was 5 years old when I got diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, at 6 my parents got told to look for a specialist school for me. This is something no parent ever wants to hear, however luckily for me my parents helped me everyday to strive further and beat any barriers set for me, by pushing myself I have managed to attend university and am even studying for my masters. Just because I have learning difficulties does not mean allow that to define who I am My disability has become my ability to think outside the box and become the person I am today.

I believe it is a huge problem that people feel the way they do about how seriously their experience of disability is taken in their day to day life. At a time when our benefits are being slashed and disability hate crime is on the increase we should be doing everything we can to stand in solidarity with all disabled people for a fair and just society.

Some things to remember include:

• Respect people’s autonomy – they know what they’re able to do better than you do.
• Respect people’s limits, and remember that some days are better than others for many with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
• Respect people’s privacy, and don’t ask about someone’s disability unless they disclose it to you first.

 Visit our 'What's On' section to view all the events on around campus during Disability History Month - we'd love for you all to join us!