Thursday 3rd December 2020 was . The 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focused on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.
Building on the theme, Professor Heidi Probst and Professor Sarah Pearson hosted a panel event of guest speakers who shared open and honest accounts and experiences of living with hidden disabilities. Our panel members were:
- Erik Baxter, senior lecturer in mathematics and physics, researcher in the field of general relativity and black holes.
- , blogger, writer, health activist and public speaker, and a current Sheffield Hallam student.
- Dr Luke Beardon, senior lecturer in autism, author, speaker, passionate about autism
The event also explored how we can all contribute to creating an environment at Hallam that supports staff and students with hidden disabilities to feel empowered to disclose.
Sharing experiences
Many attendees shared personal experiences during the event which really helped to create a powerful yet safe space. We want to build on this and invite anyone who would like to share their experiences to write a blog or create a video for . This is just the starting point of creating a safe environment at Sheffield Hallam where people feel able to be themselves without fear of judgement.
Find out more
You might also find these links useful, interesting and informative.
- If you work at Sheffield Hallam and are responsible for developing digital content, find out how you can make it accessible to as many staff and students as possible with this
- The provide much more information on disability and support for Sheffield Hallam staff
- Read Luke Beardon’s blog
- Read Sam Cleasby’s blog
