My disability work

I have a strong commitment to the inclusion of disabled people throughout my work, and positively advocate the role of disabled people in society. I have voluntary contributed to disability policy and have sought changes to company practices on making reasonable adjustments.

Disability Specific Representation

  • May 2008 – BBC Radio Sheffield/BBC News Interviews on Asperger Syndrome.
  • Sheffield University/Sheffield Union of Students Disabled Students’ Councillor  October 2008 -October 2009; March 2010-October 2010
  •  I have chaired the Disabled and Dyslexic Students’ Forum (DDSF) at the University from October 2008 until October 2010.
  • Represented access needs on the Sheffield Western Bank Library and Arts Tower refurbishment + the Library User Group
  • Consultee on student complaints, building projects and academic changes at Sheffield University.
  • Convenor of “Access All Areas” held at Sheffield Union (February 2009) based around disabled participation in student sports clubs and societies.
  • Co-organised two award winning disability awareness weeks with DDSF (November 2008 and April 2009)
  • I have been a member of the National Autistic Society since 2005.
  •  Guest speaker at a number of local and regional events in the field of support for disabled students and individual perspectives of autism.
  • October 2009-September 2010 – Disability policy advisor for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), for which I consult on planned documents due for publication.
  • Co-organised a disabled students conference and ran workshops on student clubs and society participation and disabilty awareness at the University of Huddersfield (April 2009)
  • Attended the NUS Disabled Students’ Conference in Blackpool February 2009 and Manchester March 2010. Attending in Manchester March 2011.
  • Represented Disabled Students and the National Executive Council at the NUS National Conference, Sage Gateshead April 2010
  • NUS Disabled Students Committee member April 2010-present
  • May 2010 – Speaking/Lecturing for the National Autistic Society PGC Asperger Syndrome Course in London.
  • Aim Higher National Disability Forum Speech, Birmingham June 2010.
  • Spoke at the Aim Higher OMEGA Disability Event, University of Nottingham July 2010.
  • Received Chancellors Medal for services to Disability Support, July 2010.
  • Interview on BBC Radio Sheffield re: Chancellors Medal August 2010.
  • On Sheffield University homepage re: Chancellors Medal August 2010.
  • 10th Sept 2010 – NUS Disabled Students’ Life Not Numbers Personal Care Launch
  • 13th Sept 2010 – Interview on BBC Radio Sheffield re: OFSTED report into Special Educational Needs Statements
  • 15th Sept 2010 – Co-ran a training session to mentors at University of Sheffield on the needs of students with Asperger Syndrome and the tailored support and consistency they require in HE. This is why I cannot attend the committee meeting.
  • Representing the NUS Disabled Students’ Campaign at the National Autistic Society Social Care Debate, Labour Party Conference 28th September 2010.
  • Representing the NUS Disabled Students’ Campaign at the National Autistic Society Cocktails and Conversation Debate on the Special Educational Needs Green Paper, Conservative Party Conference, October 3rd 2010.
  • October 21st 2010 – Speech at Phoenix School ‘Living with Autism’ Conference, London
  • November 2010 – NUS Disabled Students’ Campaign Personal Care meeting, London
  • November 18th 2010 – Lecture for the National Autistic Society PGC Asperger Syndrome Course in Glasgow, Nov 18th 2010.
  • January 28th 2011 – Speech on the Aim Higher programme and value to students, Action on Access Aim Higher National Forum, University of Greenwich.
  • February 22nd 2011 – Residential Mentors Accommodation Needs for students with Asperger Syndrome training, University of Sheffield.
  • March 2011 – submitted consultation response on the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Green Paper.
  • March 22nd 2011 – Lecturing on the National Autistic Society PGC Asperger Syndrome Course in Nottingham.
  • March 24th 2011 – Attended the University of Cambridge 9th annual disability lecture, given by Dr Nicola Martin of the London School of Economics (LSE) “Disability Identity and Disability Pride”.
  • March 29th 2011 – Speech and training events to autism ambassadors and teachers at Phoenix School, London
  • April 2nd 2011 – Guest speaker at the V&A Museum of Childhood as part of the UN Autism Awareness Day celebrations.
  • June 10th 2011 – Equality and Diversity Training, North East Lincolnshire Council
  • June 2011 – Assisted in Equality Impact Assessments for North East Lincolnshire Council
  • June 24th/25th 2011 – The Autism Show, ExCEL exhibition centre, London – speaking at the conference theatre on 25th on coping strategies in further and higher education.
  • September 15th 2011 – Participating in the University of Derby get ahead programme for students declaring a disability – talking on student advice and giving suggestions to support workers.
  • November 2011 –  Lecturing/speaking on the National Autistic Society Postgraduate Certificate in Asperger Syndrome course, London to an audience of health or education professionals, parents, people with an ASD.
  • 2012, various, Postgraduate Certificate in Asperger Syndrome, multiple venues and talks.
  • 2012, East London Schools, Autism Awareness Week.
  • December 2013-January 2014 Ask Autism Programme, advising Cadbury World on how their visitor attraction was compatible for visitors on the autistic spectrum, initial site visit followed by presentation at Bournville, Birmingham.March 2014 – National Autistic Society Postgraduate Certificate in Asperger Syndrome.
  • 2014, various – lectures and talks for NAS (Postgraduate Certificate Programmes)
  • January 2015 – speaker in the first session at the NAS’s Autism Convention ‘AutismCon’, Conway Hall, London
  • March 2015 – Lecturing on the NAS Postgraduate Certificate programme, London.

 

 

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