Learn more about Heriot-Watt's very own Disabled Students Society this Disability Pride Month!
This Disability Pride Month, we chatted with Yasha the President of the Heriot-Watt Disabled Students Society. Get to know a bit more about them below:
How long have you been involved with the Disabled Students Society?
I became involved with the Disabled Students Society as soon as I saw them at the Welcome Week fair. Since then, the Society has been a regular part of my life, with some of the members becoming my closest friends.
What were some of the highlights for the Disabled Students Society last year?
The society expanded our range of social activities in the last year, from accessible club nights to crafting and boardgame socials. A highlight for many members was our pottery painting social, which the new committee is keen to make a more regular event! We also enjoyed representing at HW Pride alongside charities and the LGBTQ society.
What does the society have planned for the upcoming year?
One exciting development is the planned launch of our DisSoc Wiki, which will act as a repository for students to easily find information relevant to navigating university life while disabled. We know that for many members, the university experience can be a huge change and need a lot of adjusting to, and hopefully the wiki can make that easier.
We also intend on expanding our structured study socials, where members can use the Pomodoro technique to effectively learn. We also plan to run other alcohol-free socials - bowling nights, games nights, and a trip to Dynamic Earth are only some of our plans. Not to mention, we’re always happy to listen to suggestions from our members for fun new activities!
Improving representation of and support for disabled students at the Galashiels campus is a key area of interest for us in this year coming. We hope to open a branch of the Society in Gala and begin hosting events there as part of a broader push to support students in non-Edinburgh campuses.
How do you plan on celebrating Disability Pride Month?
Personally, I’m celebrating by making an effort to use assistive devices and mobility aids in public more. Disability is a part of my identity which I’m no longer interested in suppressing.
As a society, we’re working on making sure that we can welcome the new and existing members back after the summer in the best way we can.
Why should disabled Heriot-Watt students join the society?
We’re here to welcome and represent all students with disabilities. Whether you need advice on mobility aids, help with accessing accommodations for ADHD, or simply a friendly and understanding place to exist in, we’re committed to offering everything we can.