A message from your Disabled Students' Liberation Chair this Disability History Month.
By Rahid Ali, Disabled Students’ Liberation Chair
As we celebrate Disability History Month at Greenwich Students' Union, it’s a powerful moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much more we can do to make inclusion a lived reality for all.
For me, Disability History Month is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder that accessibility, understanding, and equality must sit at the heart of university life. Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a long-term condition that affects my mobility, has given me first-hand experience of the challenges disabled students often face. It has also strengthened my commitment to ensure that no one at Greenwich feels left behind.
This month is about celebrating the achievements of disabled people throughout history those who refused to be defined by limitations, who spoke up, and who created change. But it’s also about acknowledging that there’s still work to do. From improving physical accessibility to ensuring online learning is inclusive for all, every small step forward makes a difference.
At the University of Greenwich, we are proud to have STAART (Support Through Access, Ability, Retention, and Transition) the only programme of its kind in the UK dedicated to supporting disabled students, applicants, and alumni. STAART is a shining example of what real inclusion looks like in action: empowering students through peer networks, mentoring, and a genuine sense of belonging.
As your Disabled Students’ Chair, my focus is clear:
- Accessibility First: making sure our spaces and systems work for everyone.
- Better Support Services: ensuring timely help and greater understanding from staff.
- A Stronger Disabled Students’ Network: building community, confidence, and connection among disabled students.
Disability History Month is a celebration, but also a call to action. Together, we can continue breaking barriers , not just through policy, but through everyday empathy, allyship, and awareness.
At the University of Greenwich, inclusion isn’t just an ideal; it’s our shared responsibility. No Disability Should Ever Mean Disadvantage here. Let’s make it happen, together.