Update from Amelia: Durham declared institutionally disablist

Monday 20-01-2020 - 14:01
Amelia

At its most recent meeting in December, Durham SU’s Assembly voted to pass a motion declaring Durham University as Institutionally Disablist

Despite the gravity of such a declaration, Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion, demonstrating the strength of feeling amongst students on the issue. Presented by disabled student leaders, the motion detailed the ‘deep-seated culture within Durham University that seeks to marginalise disabled students’, sending a strong message to the University that its current substandard provision for disabled students will not be tolerated. 

The systematic exclusion and marginalisation of disabled students is an issue with roots in wider society and the HE sector, with ongoing national investigation into disabled students’ experiences. However, the points made in this motion demonstrate the ways in which this deep-rooted discrimination is present in Durham, despite disabled students making up at least 20% of the student population. 

Many aspects of the University, including the collegiate system and the academic environment, present challenges to disabled students in terms of accessibility and inclusion. Physically inaccessible accommodation and teaching spaces are just one barrier faced by disabled students, who also frequently find that practices intended to support them are opaque and misaligned, intensifying the culture of stigmatisation and discrimination. Though the impacts are not always immediately apparent (as detailed by the motion), these issues must be addressed now through significant cultural change and commitment from Durham University. 

This declaration follows years of work by Durham SU’s Officers, student leaders and other student activists who have repeatedly raised concerns to the University with the view to make meaningful change. Though on many occasions the University has shown an eagerness to tackle the issues raised, this has frustratingly rarely led to action. It is the student view that this inaction shows that historic context and tradition can no longer be used as a disguise, excuse or justification for the marginalisation and exclusion of disabled students. 

The SU will now work closely with the Students with Disabilities Association (SwDA) and the University to ensure that the Action Plan demanded by Assembly is developed and enacted effectively to ensure that disabled students are fully supported during their time in Durham, so that they can take advantage of the many great things on offer here. 
 

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Assembly, Welfare and Liberation Officer

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Update from Amelia, Welfare and Liberation Officer, disablism, Amelia McLoughlan,

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