It’s a time for those who are societally marginalised to take the stage to share with the wider community how we can all better ourselves to ensure an inclusive, supportive and equal environment.

Here, we caught up with the President and Vice President of the Disabled Students Society and its founder, Alice Lundy.

Alice – Sociology graduate and the new CCSU President

Alice has been a huge advocate for our disabled community, So much so, that she started the Disabled Students Society after she found that there wasn’t a society for students with disabilities at the University.

From juggling her studies, employment, and role as President of the Disabled Students Society, Alice has certainly been busy.

Now that she has graduated, we asked Alice how her time at University contributed to a sustainable future.

“Through Canterbury Christ Church University and the SU, I’ve been able to get loads of experience. My employment has given me so many transferable skills that I can take with me post-graduation.

"I also worked with the Schools and College Engagement team, which gave me invaluable skills. So, in this role I spoke to teenagers about uni and why they should come to CCCU.

"Without all of this experience and these opportunities, I wouldn’t have been able to become President of the CCSU, which is the next step.

"So, being a part of CCCU has definitely set me up for the future.”

Sage – Forensic Investigation student, and VP of the Disabled Students Society

Sage is going in to their second year of studying Forensic Investigation. For a long time, they didn’t recognise their Tourette’s as a disability until their friends supported them into getting diagnosed.

Now Vice President of the Disabled Students Society, Sage feels comfort with both their community and their disability.

We asked them why they found CCCU inclusive and supportive.

“The disability team at the Uni is great. They help with a lot of support, from loans and finance to plans that will support you through your studies.

"But one of the best things about CCCU are the lecturers. They’re incredibly understanding and supportive of my disability. For example, my lecturer Kevin doesn’t make a big deal if I’m ticking. He just lets me release my ticks and gets on with the lecture.

"But also, I didn’t think I’d be able to do any practicals because of my ticks. But with the right support put in place, I’ve been able to complete them.”

Essie – Psychology student, and the President of the Disabled Students Society

Essie is going in to their second year here at CCCU. With their new role as President of the Disabled Students Society at the SU, they share their advice for students with disabilities who are worried about going to uni.

“Get everything put in place as early as you can. Talk to the disability team at the University and apply for the disabled students’ allowance.

"Also, make sure that you have a learning support plan in place. These plans are tailor-made to ensure that you’re supported throughout, and they really are invaluable.

"Not only are you directly involved in creating your learning support plan, but the uni makes sure that they are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that you’re supported throughout your entire course.

"Another piece of advice I’d give is to really try to engage in the social aspect of university. Joining the Disabled Students Society is great because you’ll have a support system straight away.

"We can help you figure out how to get stuff done to support you.”

When asked about her experience with the Disability Students Society, Essie highlighted how inclusive and supported the community was.

“I was inclusion officer last year, and it was really helpful because I got to know people with similar experiences as me. I also met people with different disabilities. Being in such an inclusive environment made it so easy to make friends and become a part of something.

"We also run a lot of campaigns to ensure that the uni experience for disabled students continues to improve.

"We’re currently working on learning support cards. This is something that we have already, and they’re very helpful. But we want to streamline the process and make it easier for disabled students to know what’s available to them and how they can utilise the help. We want to make this process more manageable and practical.

"Overall, my advice would be to get the support that’s available and don’t be afraid. CCCU is really welcoming, and there’s a community for you for when you join us.”

 

Thanks to Alice, Sage, and Essie for sharing their experiences with us in celebration of Disability Pride Month.

Listening to our students share their personal stories and highlight the support that Canterbury Christ Church University gives is fantastic. But we realise that we all have room to improve, which is why this month is particularly important to shed light on how we can all be allies for the disabled community.

If you want to see more of Alice’s, Essie’s, and Sage’s interview, you can find them on our Instagram and TikTok at @CanterburyCCU.