Disabled Students

This community is for any student who has a disability, including hidden disabilities like Crohn’s, Neurodivergent conditions such as autism and mental health conditions. We aim to encourage all our disabled students to use our resources, to come together and share experiences and bring positive change to disabled students’ university experience. This is your opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy events whilst making your voice heard.

Student on a wheelchair talking to a group of students.

This community is for any student who has a disability, regardless of whether they are formally diagnosed, including hidden disabilities like Crohn’s, Neurodivergent conditions such as autism and mental health conditions. We aim to encourage all our disabled students to use our resources, to come together and share experiences and bring positive change to disabled students’ university experience. This is your opportunity to meet like-minded people and enjoy events whilst making your voice heard. Discover useful resources, support and how to get involved below.

Community Engagement Lead
Layna Forbes (She/Her), BA Criminology and Psychology

What would you like to achieve in your role this year?

As the Disabled Students Engagement Lead, my primary goal this year is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers Disabled and Neurodivergent students to thrive academically, socially, and personally, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to succeed and make the most of their university experience. My ambitions for the community include:

Fostering Community and Support Networks: Build a strong, interconnected community where disabled/neurodivergent students can share experiences, support one another, and find solidarity. Organize regular meet-ups, workshops, and social events to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support.

Enhancing Accessibility: Work towards improving physical, digital, and educational accessibility on campus. This includes advocating and collaborating with stakeholders for accessible facilities, resources, and technologies that meet the diverse needs of disabled/neurodivergent students.

Raising Awareness and Promoting Inclusivity: Conduct awareness campaigns and training sessions for students, faculty, and staff to promote understanding and inclusivity. Challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about disabilities through education and open dialogue.

Providing Resources and Guidance: Develop and share resources that assist disabled/neurodivergent students navigating university life. This includes academic support, mental health resources, and information on accommodations and rights.

Activities

Disability History Month

Every year we commit to celebrating and promoting Disability History Month. If you would like to get involved with the planning or suggest ideas for the next Disability History Month (16th November to 16th December), please contact the Disabled Students Community Engagement Lead or email community.su@coventry.ac.uk.

If you have an idea of an activity you’d like to run for the community, we can support you!

Submit a Community Activity Idea

If you have an idea for a campaign you’d like to run, we can help you deliver your campaign!

Submit a Campaign Idea

Celebrate Disability History Month

Disability History Month is a nationally recognised initiative that occurs mid-November to mid-December each year. This celebrates the progress made by the Disabled Community, as well as highlighting areas where further change is needed. It is a historically significant initiative that encompasses all disabilities and neurodiversity, regardless of diagnosis status.

Societies

Adopt the Friendly Faces Society to help raise awareness and become part of an inclusive community that works towards making a change across the campus and beyond.

DNMI society (Disability, Neurodivergence & Mental Illness society)

Category

Special Interest

Resources

Mind’s Guide to Learning Disability support
Autism Radio UK Autism Radio UK - was established to remove barriers of social communication for people with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. It broadcasts music, interviews, talks, competitions and topics about Autism related issues. You can listen to the station live from their website.
Disability Direct is a directory of disability groups (charities and voluntary organisations), companies and service providers from all around the UK providing support and resources to disabled people. It also includes disability news, articles and events.
UCAS’ Disabled Students page - This is designed to take students through the entire university process, so begins with information about applications, but further down the page they have all the information you will need about applying for DSA (Disabled Students Allowance), support with transitions and Fitness to Practice info to keep you informed of your rights.
Disability Rights - UK publishes a comprehensive guide to applying to higher education, and getting support – Read Into Higher Education
Diversity and Ability - is an organisation that works to improve inclusivity. Check out their guide to free resources to support disabled and neurodiverse students. We also recommend you read their DSA: Find your way page.
The National Association of Disability Practitioners - (NADP) works with professionals who support disabled students in post-16 education. Read their blog article, "Working for a successful student journey for disabled students" , which explains who to contact at your university or college, and how a disability adviser can support you through your journey to uni.
For a student’s own experience with mental health related conditions at university, read Zoe’s story.
Ability Net - helps disabled people access and use technology, and offers free advice and resources — how they can help you and what support you may be eligible for.
Student Minds and UMHAN - have created three joint blogs: Disclosing a mental health difficulty on your UCAS application, The benefits of disclosing a mental health difficulty, and Disclosing a mental health difficulty: your rights.
Your Advice - Your Students Union offers free, independent, and confidential advice to all students. Find out more about Your Advice here.
Citizens Advice - offers guidance and resources for those who may need additional financial support. This may include benefits (such as PIP) for those whose disability means they are unable to work, legal guidance for those who have been discriminated against during an application process, or extra support available to those with caring responsibilities.
Financial support for students who may be unable to work (Benefits - Citizens Advice). Specifically Resources for applying for PIP (Personal Independence Payment - Citizens Advice)