rahid ali
BA Business Management and GSU Disabled Students Liberation Chair
I live with a long-term condition that affects my spine and joints and can cause pain, stiffness, and fatigue. It is a condition that people cannot always see. There are days when even ordinary activities require more effort than people might imagine. One of the hardest things about having a non-visible disability is that you can look perfectly well on the outside while dealing with a very different reality on the inside.
What drew you to your current field of study/work, and what keeps you passionate about it?
I chose Business Management at the University of Greenwich because I have always been interested in leadership, organisational decision-making and understanding how organisations operate. What particularly motivates me is the opportunity to understand how decisions affect people.
My experiences as a disabled student have strengthened my passion for equality, inclusion and representation. Through student leadership, I have realised that meaningful change happens when people are not only listened to but are also involved in making decisions that affect them.
What is a common misconception people make about your disability?
People might see me attending lectures, participating in meetings, representing students, and taking on leadership responsibilities. What they might not see is the pain, stiffness, and fatigue I sometimes experience behind the scenes. I may look well on the outside, yet beneath the surface, a hidden condition shapes my everyday reality. Sometimes, I feel the weight of silent judgement and the expectation that I should be able to do everything simply because I look healthy. The challenge is not only managing the physical symptoms, but also the fear of being misunderstood or having to justify my needs.
Looking well does not mean feeling well, and an invisible disability does not mean an invisible struggle.
What is an example of an everyday system, space, or technology that people take for granted, but presents a major hurdle for you?
University environments can present challenges when they involve prolonged sitting, standing or walking between buildings. These everyday activities may seem straightforward to others, but chronic pain and stiffness can make them difficult.
This is why accessible spaces, flexible arrangements and appropriate adjustments matter. Inclusion means recognising barriers and removing them, rather than expecting disabled people to manage everything on their own.
If you could magically implement one change across the University tomorrow, what would it be?
I would introduce a university-wide approach to accessibility that genuinely involves disabled students in decision-making.
I would particularly like to see dedicated, accessible and low-stimulation social spaces where disabled students and those with long-term health conditions can meet, study, socialise and feel comfortable.
Most importantly, I would want the University to adopt the principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us", ensuring disabled students are involved from the beginning when decisions about accessibility, facilities and student experience are made.
If you could point to one specific moment or milestone in your life that shaped who you are today, what would it be?
Being elected and re-elected as Disabled Students' Liberation Chair has been an important milestone for me. It has shown me that lived experience can be a source of leadership and positive change.
Through this role, I have been able to raise awareness of accessibility barriers, listen to students' experiences and advocate for a more inclusive university community. It has strengthened my confidence and determination to ensure disabled students' voices are heard.
What does allyship look like for you?
For me, allyship is about listening, understanding and taking action. It is not simply saying that you support disabled people; it is demonstrating that support through everyday behaviour and meaningful decisions.
It means believing people when they explain their experiences, challenging discrimination, making reasonable adjustments and ensuring disabled voices are included in conversations where decisions are being made.
Most importantly, allyship means recognising that disabled people do not need others to speak over them. They need people who are willing to listen, stand alongside them and help remove barriers.
What message would you like to get across this Disability History Month?
Having a disability does not mean having fewer ambitions or less to contribute. We don't need sympathy; we need understanding, accessibility and equal opportunities.
I want people to understand that disability is not always visible. From my own experience, I know that someone can appear healthy, active, and capable while managing challenges that others may never see. We should never judge someone by their appearance or assume we know what they are experiencing.
Disability History Month 2026's theme, Disability, Politics and Democracy, reminds us that disability is not just an individual experience; it is also about rights, representation, power and participation.
Disabled people should not simply be consulted after decisions have been made. We should be involved in shaping the policies, services and environments that affect our lives.