Oxford Brookes University is proud to be part of the annual celebration of Disability History Month, providing an opportunity to promote, celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions of disabled people in our communities and society and highlight support for students and staff.
Disability History Month
19 November to 19 December
Running from 19 November to 19 December, Oxford Brookes will be marking Disability History Month with a range of activities and sessions. Nationally, this year’s UK Disability History Month theme is Disability, Politics and Democracy.
Staff and students can also visit our Neurodiversity and disability resources as well as the Wellbeing at University reading lists created by the Library.
Wednesday 4 November, 6.00 - 7.00pm, CLC 1.12 (Learning Studio)
This open lecture, from Dr Adam Bibbey and Marie DiFolco, will outline the background of colour blindness and the latest research from Oxford Brookes. There will be guidance on how we can create colour blind inclusive environments to support and overcome the challenges colour blind individuals face. ,
Wednesday 11 November, 6.00pm - 7.00 pm, CLC 1.12 (Learning Studio)
Join us for this panel discussion, chaired by Dr Jon Reid, exploring how to navigate the government's proposed SEND reforms.
The Government's proposed SEND reforms have the potential to reshape the educational experiences of thousands of children and young people, as well as the families and professionals who support them. But what could these changes mean in practice? This timely panel brings together researchers, education professionals, school leaders, parent advocates, and parents and carers with lived experience of raising neurodivergent children to explore the opportunities, challenges and realities of SEND reform. Together, the panel will examine the gap between policy and practice, encouraging informed discussion about the future of inclusive education and support for children and young people with SEND.
Together, the panel combines expertise from research, teacher education, school leadership, parent advocacy and lived experience of raising neurodivergent children.
Tuesday 17 November 2026, 11:00am to 12:00 (online via Google Meet)
Reconnect Parent and Carer Network for Disability History Month
What does resilience look like in everyday life — at work, at home and when navigating systems that do not always meet everyone’s needs?
Join Usha Kong, a multi-award-winning social mobility strategist, speaker and inclusion advocate. She is currently Skills, Employment & Education Manager at Skanska and Co-founder and CEO of novi FUTURES, a social enterprise focused on creating opportunities for young people.
Drawing on her professional experience and personal journey, Usha is passionate about challenging barriers, changing perceptions and ensuring people have a voice in decisions that affect them.
As a wheelchair user living with chronic health conditions, she understands that inclusion isn't simply about policies or good intentions. It's about listening, understanding individual needs and being willing to do things differently.
Usha believes that speaking up, sharing experiences and working together can create positive change, not just for individuals, but for everyone who comes after them.
The session will include time for questions, discussion and reflection, with an opportunity to take the conversation beyond the event itself.
Wednesday 25 November, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, online via Zoom
Join Dina Sikorska, Founder and Co-Lead of Reconnect, for an interactive discussion about the realities of parenting a child with SEND. Drawing on her own family’s journey, Dina will explore the uncertainty of seeking answers, the challenges of navigating support, and the impact SEND can have on the whole family — including working life.
The session will reflect on the importance of listening to parents, recognising the invisible load of caring, and creating more understanding and supportive workplaces. There will be space to share experiences, reflect and explore what we can do differently.
Thursday 3 December, 12.00pm – 1.00pm, Gibbs G2.16b and online via Google Meet
As part of Disability History Month, Professor Lindsay Williams (Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education) and Dina Sikorska (Executive Assistant and Founder of Reconnect) will share their personal stories of ADHD, working closely together in their current roles, and the often invisible realities of living and working with ADHD. Talk with discussion/Q&A.
The Brookes Staff Disability Network is an inclusive forum open to all members of staff, not only those with a disability, but also those who are carers for disabled people or who have an interest, professional or otherwise, in disability issues.
The network organises a range of informal Lunch and Learn events across the year.
Neurodiversity and Mental Health with Dr Adam Robson
Wednesday 4 November, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Exploring cross disciplinary perspectives on the relationships between neurodiversity, executive function and mental health.
Staff Disability Network Lunchtime Drop-in Chat!
Thursday 26 November 12.00pm to 1.00pm
For more information or to contact the Staff Disability Network email: info-staffdisabilitynetwork@brookes.ac.uk
Brookes Union advocates and organises a range of events for disabled students.
Disability History Month 2025
"If only you lived up to your potential..."
Wednesday 26 November, 6.00 - 7.00pm, CLC 1.12 (Learning Studio)
Join us for this open lecture delivered by Matt Jones, followed by a panel discussion on living with ADHD.
Matt Jones is an ADHD coach and founder of Humanifesto, a podcast and coaching platform that helps adults with ADHD - and the people around them - rediscover and live as their authentic selves. By age 14, he was a presenter on a primetime CBBC show, and played basketball for Wales. On the outside, he looked confident and accomplished. It took him another 30 years to actually feel that way.
Jo Duckles has 28 years’ experience in journalism and public relations. A News and Media Relations Officer at Oxford Brookes, she has previously worked in regional media, charities, and faith organisations. With an MA in Theology, Communications and the Media, she is a member of the worship leaders team at her local church, where she regularly preaches. Diagnosed with ADHD at 46, Jo shares lived experience to inspire positive change for neurodivergent people.
Jon Reid is Senior Lecturer in Child Development, SEND and Inclusion, leading the MA Education: SEND and teaching across UG/PG programmes. He supervises research to doctoral level, co-leads the Children and Young People Network, and convenes a Childhood Trauma SIG. Vice-Chair of the Institute of Recovery from Childhood Trauma and Director of its National Centre, his research focuses on education’s role in recovery, teacher wellbeing, emotional labour, and compassion in education.
Nick Kennedy (Purple Space) Lunch and Learn
Tuesday 20 November, 12.00 - 1.00 pm
Half an Arm, Whole Life: From Fitness Instructor to Disability Rugby World Champion
I’m Nick Kennedy (@Who_Needs_Two_Arms on Instagram) and I’ve gone from losing half my right arm at 20 and hating being called disabled to being Vice-Captain of the England Physical Disability Ruby League (PDRL )Team, Captain of the Castleford Tigers PDRL Team, a World Champion, a mentor at limb difference charities and focusing my career on having a positive impact on the working lives of people with disabilities through my work at PurpleSpace. With a strong sprinkling of neurodiversity just for good measure (ADHD + Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Staff Disability Network
The Brookes Staff Disability Network is an inclusive forum open to all members of staff, not only those with a disability, but also those who are carers for disabled people or who have an interest, professional or otherwise, in disability issues.
The network organise a range of informal Lunch and Learn events across the year.
info-staffdisabilitynetwork@brookes.ac.uk
Brookes Union
Brookes Union advocates and organises a range of events for disabled students.
Disability History Month 2024
Selina Mills: Why Blindness Matters
4 December 6.00 - 7.00pm CLC 1.12
Author, historian, and disability activist Selina Mills will talk about what we think of blindness and how to define it, exploring the origins of our binary definitions.
Selina will look at how we can use the past to help us now. How academics, medicine and charities have looked at blindness, and how we can change very fixed notions of disability, particularly with notions of what blind people / disabled people can do and not do, whether in employment, parenting or in politics and public service. How can we all include everyone in what it means to be human?
Selina Mills is an award-winning writer and broadcaster who is legally blind.
This event is open to all and includes light refreshments afterwards.
#PurpleLightUp
2 December - 6 December
To kick start the celebration of Disability History Month, between Monday 2 December and Friday 6 December, we will be taking part in #PurpleLightUp led by Purple Space and lighting up Lloyd Building and Headington Sports Centre in purple.
Everyone is also welcome to join an informal lunchtime gathering organised by the Staff Disability Network 12:00 - 1:00 pm on Tuesday 3 December, The Forum, JHB which marks International Day of People with Disabilities. You are encouraged to show your support by wearing something purple.
Academics with Learning Differences: Challenges and Support Requirements in Teaching, Research, Leadership and Administration
26 November 12.00 - 1:00pm
In this session, Adrian J. Wallbank and Andrew Page-Towers report on the results of their recent research into the support needs of academics with dyslexia, ADHD and autism within English-speaking Higher Education institutions.
DCD / Dyspraxia Lunch and learn
Tuesday 12 November, 12.00 - 1.00 pm
An online session facilitated by Kate Wilmut.
Kate will talk about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also sometimes known as Dyspraxia. Despite a similar prevalence to other neurodivergences such as ADHD, DCD / Dyspraxia is less well known and often misunderstood. She will start by outlining the differences between the terms DCD and Dyspraxia, and broadly talk about current developments / research in this area. This will include a focus on a study she has recently completed which considered diagnosis and wellbeing in adults. The discussion will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
Disability History Month 2022
Tom Skelton: 2020 Visions (What if I Hadn't Gone Blind?)
Wednesday 7 December 2022
#PurpleLightUp
Friday 2 December
For International Day of People with Disabilities, Oxford Brookes will again be part of the global #PurpleLightUp campaign. On 3 December, Lloyd Building will be proudly lit in purple to show solidarity and recognition of the contributions and achievements of disabled people in the workplace and wider society.
Staff wellness checks
5 to 9 December
Book a slot at Headington gym for a 15-20 minute consultation with the fitness team, measuring weight and body composition using our InBody scanner. Blood pressure and resting heart rate will enable the team to provide feedback, and provide advice on training and exercise to improve health and wellness.
Bollywood Dance Sessions
Tuesday 6 December
Climbing Wall Sessions
Wednesday 7 December
Yoga Sessions
Tuesday 13 December
DAWN and DMU Women: Autism in Women
Lots of people are quite unaware of how autism presents in women. There are lots of women out there struggling and they perhaps don’t know why. This webinar will address autism in women and late diagnosis.
Disability History Month 2021
Neurodiversity and Mental Wellbeing - a lunchtime session from Dr Susy Ridout
Thursday 25 November
Watch the recording (Brookes students and staff)
Allyship with Disabled People workshop
Monday 29 November
Watch the recording (Brookes students and staff)
#PurpleLightUp
Thursday 3 December
For International Day of People with Disabilities, Oxford Brookes will again be part of the global #PurpleLightUp campaign. On 3 December, Lloyd Building will be proudly lit in purple to show solidarity and recognition of the contributions and achievements of disabled people in the workplace and wider society.
Ableism and inclusive futures in higher education - open lecture with Dr Nicole Brown
Wednesday 8 December
Disability History Month 2020
During 2020 many people were working from home and all events were held online, so we encouraged staff and students to post and share via social media channels and their online presence to show their solidarity and support for #PurpleLightUp.
The Brookes staff Bollywood group dances in purple for #PurpleLightUp
Brookes HR staff talk about #PurpleLightUp and disability inclusion
Brookes Sport shares social media content for Disability History Month
Other events
Lloyd Building lights up for #PurpleLightUp
Brookes staff Bollywood dancing group's lockdown performance for #PurpleLightUp
Brookes Sport Headington lights up for #PurpleLightUp
The Student Disability Advisory Team go purple for #PurpleLightUp
Purple backgrounds, jumpers, and more from the Learning Resources Marketing & Comms Group
Disability History Month 2019
An evening with comedian Francesca Martinez.
11 December 2019
Open to all.
OBU Documentary Club screening - Unrest
22 November 2019
UNREST, doctors tell Jennifer it's "all in her head. Open to all.
Dyslexic Academic: Towards a Neurodivergent Academy
2 December 2019, 12 noon - 2.00pm, Clerici G.28
Informal workshop with Dr Kate West organised by the Staff Disability Network and sponsored by UNISON and UCU. Lunch provided. Please email Fran Jenkins fjenkins@brookes.ac.uk
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - bring your best purple!
3 December 2019
Show your support by wearing purple, eating purple and popping over to the Enquiry Centre, JHB, for 12.30pm
Disability History Month 2018
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday talks about #PurpleLightUp
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student and Staff Experience), talks about #PurpleLightUp, our approach to inclusive support for our students, our commitments as a Disability Confident Employer and our openness and accessibility to the community.
OBU Documentary Club screening - For Once In My Life
22 November 2018
A true story about a band made up of singers and musicians with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities. Open to all.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
3 December 2018
Show your support by wearing purple, eating purple and popping over to the Enquiry Centre, JHBB, 12-2 pm, where there will be demonstrations of assistive technology. Open to Brookes students and staff.
Silence and spiritual wellbeing
4 December 2018
An introduction to meditative practices and how you might use them to self-soothe or stay well. Open to Brookes students and staff.
12pm, Garden Room, Wellbeing
Dorset House Christmas Craft
11 December 2018
Brookes Library Special Collections pop-up event exploring the history of Occupational Therapy. Open to Brookes students and staff.
Headington Library entrance/Forum area on level 0 in JHBB
Leadership and (dis)ability - where are our disabled leaders?
12 December 2018
Where are our disabled leaders? A discussion on how to turn disability rights into reality – led by Dr Ossie Stuart and Dr Alex Donnelly. Open to all.