As the DSG is celebrating its 20th birthday in 2023, I asked three committee members, past and present, to discuss their experiences of the DSG and asked their thoughts on disability rights in the UK in the past 2 decades.
When were you on the DSG committee?
Kate: I have been on the DSG Committee twice. The first time was in 2016 when I was elected Webmaster, which used to be an Officer role. The name of the role was changed during my term and it became known as Web Controller, to make it more gender neutral. During this time we worked on establishing the DSG’s first ‘micro-website’ as part of the Students Association umbrella website.
I was then elected again as a Committee Member, beginning in January 2022. In the early summer of 2022, I became joint Secretary alongside Laura Cranstoun. Unfortunately, due to a combination of health and personal reasons, it became necessary for me to cease volunteering and studying.
Hannah: I joined the committee 2018 and have been on it ever since so 2018 – 2024
Laura: I joined the DSG committee as an ordinary member in January 2022. I then became DSG Secretary in August 2022 until I resigned in March 2023. I would have loved to have spent the full 2-year term on the DSG committee. However, I had to leave due to difficult family circumstances. Although this was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make, the rest of committee, VP EDI and OUSA staff were incredibly supportive and reassured me that I was making the right decision and family always comes first. I miss being on the DSG so much but I’m enjoying watching the group grow and evolve from outside the group.
Why did you join the DSG?
Kate: I joined the DSG because I wanted to be able to represent disabled students and help to address and remove, or minimise, obstacles which they faced that impacted other studying.
Hannah: Why did you join the DSG? I really wanted to get involved with the association and when I found out there was a group for disabled students I immediately joined.
Laura: Since being diagnosed with endometriosis in 2018, I found it very difficult to access associated support groups. I also found that general knowledge and understanding of the condition was very limited. I hoped that in joining the DSG committee I could raise awareness of endometriosis and other chronic pain conditions, as I know how debilitating they can be and how significantly they can impact on our studies. I also wanted to connect with other students and create a support network to help one another through both difficult and positive times, sharing experiences, advice, techniques and resources which could help make our academic journeys as easy as possible.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about joining the DSG?
Kate: I would highly recommend (joining the DSG) to any student who felt that their health may prevent them from being able to get the most from their studies. Whether that was because of a short, or long-term health problem, disorder or disability, be it physical or mental. The support available from all of the Group’s members and Committee is amazing. It really does feel like being a part of incredibly close yet diverse family.
Regarding joining the Committee, I would also say “Go for it!” It is an incredible opportunity to grow your skillset, work as part of a team where everybody’s opinions and perspectives are valued and respected, and to make wonderful friends, all while being able to help other students to achieve their full potential. All in all, it is a terrific experience.
Hannah: I would say it is lovely to have the support of other students with disabilities and extra needs as they know what it’s like to be a student in that position.
Laura: There are many different ways students can support the DSG, such as attending drop-ins, events, sharing social media posts, contributing to the forums, completing polls, responding to emails and encouraging others to join. The DSG Committee requires dedication, commitment, time, compassion and a willingness to represent and advocate for a large and diverse student body – the DSG is the support group with the highest membership in the OUSA. This can be challenging at times, particularly whilst also balancing studies, personal lives and disabilities/health conditions. In order for the committee to run smoothly and fairly, every committee member needs to play a part and contribute. It is not a decision to make lightly, and you need to be able to work well as a team, be an effective communicator and be responsible for managing your own tasks, time and deadlines. I would recommend anyone considering joining the committee, to contact the DSG Officers or the VP EDI to discuss what the roles entail before making such a big commitment.
What do you think has been the biggest advancement in disability advocacy in the last 20 years?
Kate: I feel that the general move towards the empowerment and respect of people with disabilities, along with their views and ideas being sought in order to improve life in general and the movement towards making as much as.possible accessible to all, has meant people with health difficulties are now able to live a mire fulfilling lifestyle, with fewer restrictions and limitations.
Hannah: The equality act and various advancements in technology.
Laura: I am going to answer this question from the perspective of being a disabled student at the OU. I have been very impressed by how much support I received from the OU through applying for DSA. The resources and software I was awarded has been amazing and has definitely helped me with my specific conditions throughout my studies. I am also grateful to the support that I have received from tutors when I have needed it, especially with extensions, which have just given me that extra time to pull TMAs together when I have been having a flare up or finding things challenging at home. I would have been interested in doing a then/now comparison with students who had been at the OU 20 years ago!
How do you think society needs to be more accessible to disabled people?
Kate: Despite all of the advancements that have been made I’ve the last 2 decades, there is still some stigma attached to being disabled. I do feel that – although many businesses, organisations and institutions etc try to have a more ‘equal’ approach to disabilities – there is a big difference between providing equal opportunities and equitable opportunities. The latter is what’s needed more specifically , but notalwatsbunderstood by many folk in positions where they can make a difference.
Hannah: I think there needs to be more diversity in every aspect of life and more forethought when planning meeting/events etc.
Laura: I learned a lot from being in the DSG and had no idea that accessibility was such a huge social issue. I met so many people from the disabled community, as well as the other support groups – BAME and OU Pride – who taught me that society can do a lot more to support people with protected characteristics. The most important thing that society needs to do is find love and compassion for others. To try to put themselves into others’ shoes. Listen, learn and always try to do better. Always.
Any final comments?
Kate: Happy Birthday to the Disabled Students Group, all its members Committee members and Officers. You’re a fantastic group of people and I also wish you all the very best with your studies and futures.
Laura: Happy birthday to the Disabled Students Group! I am so proud of having been part of the group and grateful for the wonderful experiences I have had throughout my time as Secretary. I met the most wonderful people and utilised skills that I didn’t even know that I had! The highlight of my time included travelling to the campus at Milton Keynes to meet my fellow committee members, representing the DSG at the EDI conference, and developing our group systems and spaces. Working completely online has many challenges, though I enjoyed finding ways to make improvements and maintain consistent communication and information sharing throughout the DSG team and with others associated with the DSG, including the VP EDI, EDI Student Welfare Team and OU staff responsible for improving accessibility and EDI for students.
I wish the DSG the best of luck for the next 20 years! So much has been achieved already and there is always more to do, but with the right people in the right positions, so much more can be achieved with love, compassion, acceptance and positivity!
Thank you to Kate, Hannah and Laura for their comments – it’s been really interesting to hear their perspectives. Personally I think that the concept of Neurodiversity becoming more mainstream and making its way into the workplace as an HR issue has been one of the most revolutionary steps in the past 2 decades but we still have a long way to go before society is able to accommodate everyone regardless of their access needs. I’m looking forward to seeing how accessibility continues to grow over the next 20 years and 2 more decades of the DSG!
If you’d like to join the DSG whether you consider yourself disabled, neurodivergent, affected by a mental or physical health condition, or all of the above, please visit:
https://www.oustudents.com/get-involved/support-groups/disabled-students-group/join-us/
