We go by Verses (collectively) and use they/them pronouns. We are a Plural System (DID), meaning we have multiple people sharing one body. We’ve just started our first year in Psychology and Counselling and we are running to be your Accessibility & Inclusion officers.
We have always felt strongly about activism and advocacy, in our previous college access course we took on the Student Union Digital Champion role, and the role of Student Governors where we helped our peers in advocating for changes around accessibility and represented the student voice in governing body meetings. We are deeply passionate about amplifying the voices of our fellow disabled and neurodiverse students. Being in this role would give us a larger reach to do so, and more direct communication pathways to leadership which would help to reach people who can enact changes.
Since we have been here in the last month, we have already been working towards improving accessibility in places where we encounter difficulty. Today we worked with the President of the Disabled and Neurodivergent Student’s Society to consult with a lovely library staff member about the accessibility there, along with taking steps in other plans.
we plan to:
1. Start a campaign to improve accessibility around campus.
We have been filming a POV from our wheelchair as we fight against heavy doors and exhausting carpets that take impressive amounts of muscle power to traverse. We recognise that issues like these can make the decision to choose to participate much harder to make, and our plan is to use the footage we create to lobby for relevant changes.
2. Listen to and amplify your voices.
We understand that pushing for accessibility changes or to be heard can be exhausting, and we will work to be a supportive and empowering link in the chain between your needs, and leadership roles. We will do our best to create the most accessible pathways for suggestions to be received and actioned, and we will listen to and advocate for your collective needs.
As well as our above goals, we will commit to working on relevant projects that come up to meet the needs of disabled students and students with neurodiversity and mental health needs.
We really hope to be able to collaborate with yous. Have a lovely day.