As disability student officer, I want to push for better accommodations for all disabled students when accessing Higher Education at Goldsmiths University. My experience as president of the Neurodiversity society has taught me skills I can use within this role such as event planning, communication with large audiences and collaboration with others, alongside how to help disabled students with various issues they may face.

Three key concerns I want to tackle as student officer are the maintenance of lifts, making lectures and assignments more accessible, and improving the implementation of the Reasonable Adjustments for Study and Assessments (RASA) system.

As someone with mobility issues, I have recently had to rely more on lifts when accessing different areas of campus and have seen the numerous times that they are out of order, either denying access to a specific room/area, or students having to exert themselves going up stairs. If the lifts were fully operational more often, access to campus would be greatly improved. They should be maintained to a certain standard that lets disabled students not feel forgotten during the operation of campus.

When considering accessibility within Goldsmiths, oftentimes learning difficulties are overlooked despite the large impact it can have on accessing higher education. Having ADHD myself, I understand the need for better accommodations beyond what’s already available. Neurological conditions, processing disorders, and physical disabilities can limit someone’s ability to fully engage with assignments or lectures. Students should be able to ask for things like additional adjustments, lecture plans, slides in advance, or more support with assignments. But this has to also include improved training for staff to create these handouts and give support. 

Disabilities impact students in so many different ways, and often people struggle to have the accommodations that they are entitled to. The current RASA system makes it difficult to set these up, and to even know how to access the extra support available for students. My own struggle with the RASA system last year helped me to understand just how difficult it can be. I would strive for better communication when going through the RASA setup process to put students' minds at ease.

I want to make it easier for all to access higher education, and it starts with these small steps that would not only improve your experience, but also increase your chances of success at Goldsmiths.