International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

3 December 2024

Tuesday 3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). Find out how we’re marking the day, and read some top tips to make working at UCL more inclusive.

UCL's Portico building at dusk. The columns of the building are illuminated with a purple light to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, and the UCL flag is flying on the pole on top of the building.

A group shot of five UCL staff standing in front of the Portico, which is lit in purple for International Day of People with Disabilities 2024. L-R: Kat Aedy, Pip Jackson, Sarah Cowls, Eda Yildirimkaya, Alison Koslowski.

IDPD takes place every year on 3 December 2024. The theme for this year is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”. The Portico will be lit in purple to mark the day.

We asked some of the people at UCL who are working to advance Disability Equity what one thing they’d like eveyone to do, consider or find out more about to make UCL a more inclusive place. Here’s what they said:

Ben Watson, Head of Digital Accessibility

"Recognise that accessibility isn't something you do as well as what you do, it IS what you do. Nothing you work on at UCL is finished until it is accessible to everyone."

Addeel Khan, Director of Equity, Inclusion and Culture

"For managers to understand their responsibilities towards colleagues with disabilities and be supported to deliver them."

Indie Beedie, UCL’s Envoy for Disability

"Check out the Disability Equality Steering Group guidance around Accessible (Inclusive) Meeting Guidelines and make small changes to your meetings to make them more inclusive for all staff at UCL."

Pip Jackson, Head of Inclusive Environments

"Make sure every meeting / event invite for an in-person session goes out with the AccessAble guide for the building it is in."

Kat Aedy, Access and Inclusive Design Specialist

"Familiarise yourself with the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme by watching the video and picking up a free lanyard from the locations where they are available across UCL campus."

Alison Koslowski, Co-Director of the Thomas Coram Research Unit, Professor of Social Policy, Pro Provost (Equity & Inclusion)

"Take the online Inclusive Education Training programme!"

Find out more

Image

UCL staff and students working for disability equity, in front of the Portico on International Day of People with Disabilities 2024. L-R Kat Aedy, Access and Inclusive Design specialist, Pip Jackson, Head of Inclusive Environments, Sarah Cowls, Executive Director of Student Services & Registrar, Eda Yildirimkaya, Students' Union UCL Equity & Inclusion Officer, and Alison Kowlowski, Pro Provost (Equity & Inclusion).

Image credit: Mary Hinkley.