Disabled Students Officer

Billy Smith and Harley Harrison - Disabled Student's Officer

“Billy and Harley supports in disability liberation for students in the Union.”

Email: hah85@aber.ac.uk

 

Responsibilities of all Volunteer Officers

• To attend all appropriate Undeb Aberystwyth and University meetings including Senedd Meetings and Forums.
• To act in a professional and appropriate manner always.
• To ensure that all decisions and actions are taken in line with the Undeb Aberystwyth constitution and current Undeb Aberystwyth policy.
• To be prepared to report on the progress of the work under their remit.
• To regularly meet and liaise with relevant Officer Trustees and staff members.
• To attend relevant meet and greets throughout the year.
• To attend all training relevant to their role.

 

Responsibilities of Disabled Students’ Officer

• Representing students who identify as disabled on matters relevant to them.

• Co-ordinating and leading campaigns on matters relating to the needs of Disabled students

• Acting as a source of information and point of contact for Disabled students.

• Advising Undeb Aber on ways it can improve its work in line with the needs of Disabled students.

• Working with students, full-time officer and officers across Wales and the UK to ensure the needs of Disabled students are represented and further the aims of the Disabled Students Campaign.

 

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Current Priorities:

Below you can find a list of priorities Billy and Harley is working on this year as well as their current progress on them.

Be an effective member of the Senedd.

1. Disability Support Fund

Priority: Establish a financial support fund for disability-related expenses.

Define clear eligibility criteria and a transparent application process for students (e.g., mobility aids, assistive technology, or sensory support such as noise-cancelling headphones).

Explore and secure potential funding opportunities through internal SU channels and external grants.

2. Networking, Collaboration, and Community Engagement

Priority: Build a strong network of Disabled Students Officers within Aberystwyth and across other universities, while strengthening engagement with disabled and neurodiverse students locally.

Work with the Academic Affairs Officer to reach out to other student unions and gather contact details for their Disabled Officers.

Create a networking channel to facilitate collaboration, resource sharing, and peer support.

Connect with Disabled and Neurodiverse Officers across Wales to share best practices and joint initiatives.

Organise a Welsh Disability Conference to promote collaboration and amplify student voices.

Support and develop a disability-focused society to provide community and representation.

Host monthly meet and greet sessions to encourage inclusion and open communication.

Regularly engage with disabled and neurodiverse students to gather feedback, promote awareness, and share updates on ongoing accessibility projects.

3. Campus Accessibility

Priority: Improve awareness, monitoring, and advocacy around accessibility on campus.

Conduct a comprehensive review of accessible routes to ensure they are functional, safe, and well signposted.

Report and advocate for repairs or improvements where accessibility standards are not met.

Deliver awareness campaigns to inform students and staff about accessible routes and promote best practices for inclusive navigation across campus.

4. Assessment Transparency

Priority: Ensure departments are transparent and consistent in their approach to alternative assessments.

Collaborate with the Academic Affairs Officer to align this work with existing academic priorities.

Use the Advisory Board to gather student feedback on resits and alternative assessment experiences.

Work with departments and support services to clearly communicate available alternative assessment options to all students.

5. Digital Accessibility & Information Hub

Priority: Create a centralised, accessible digital hub for disability and accessibility resources.

Develop a “Linktree-style” signposting page on the SU Campaigns site, consolidating key accessibility information, support links, and guidance.

Ensure the page is regularly updated and promoted across SU channels, ensuring easy access to support for all students.

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If you’d like to get involved or find out more email ...

 

Campaigns and Democracy Coordinator  Ash Sturrock  Ais13@aber.ac.uk voice@aber.ac.uk

Disabled Student's Officer Billy Smith and Harley Harrison sharedmb46@aber.ac.uk