Disability History Month written in white text over a blue background

Disability History Month

At Queen Mary Students' Union, we celebrate the rich diversity of our student body throughout the year. Each month brings a new reason to celebrate our students' unique backgrounds and contributions. This January, following the winter exams, we are excited to host Jewish Heritage Fortnight—a special observance dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vibrant Jewish community at QMSU.

What is Jewish Heritage Fortnight? Jewish Heritage is recognized worldwide at different times of the year. For instance, May is Jewish Heritage Month in America, celebrating the significant contributions of the American Jewish community. Here at QMSU, from 26 January to 8 February, our student representatives and staff have curated a series of events and promotions across our campuses.

How can you be involved? Joining in our Jewish Heritage Fortnight celebrations is easy! Visit our website to discover a full listing of events and details on how to attend. Most events are free, and you can easily book your spot online. Participating in Jewish Heritage Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, engage with diverse perspectives, and deepen your understanding of Jewish culture and history, Jewish Heritage Fortnight offers something for everyone at QMSU.

Upcoming Events

see all events

Support and resources


Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS)

Confidential advice, guidance and support for disabled students, including those with mental health conditions, Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and Specific Learning Differences such as dyslexia.

The service can provide support including one to one skills support, reasonable adjustments such as exam arrangements, screenings for Specific Learning Differences, mental health mentoring, support with applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and more.

Click here

Liberation at the Students’ Union

At the Students' Union we recognise that forms of structural oppression marginalise some groups of students, including BAME, LGBT+, trans, disabled and women students. Each year, we elect two self-defining Disabled and SLD Representatives for Mile End and Barts and The London and who work to improve the experiences of disabled students by lobbying the University and leading campaigns and events.

View your representatives

Digital Library

Books – Fiction
  • A Room Called Earth by Madeline Ryan (Autism)
  • One Two Three by Laurie Frankel (Autism, Wheelchair use, communication device)
  • So Lucky by Nicola Griffith (Multiple Sclerosis)
  • Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert (Chronic Pain)
  • My Heart to Find by Elin Annalise (Lyme Disease)
  • Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai (Anxiety and PTSD)
  • Pages I Never Wrote by Marco Donati (Dyspraxia)
  • A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard (Hearing Impairment)
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Autism)
  • The Pretty One by Keah Brown
  • Gallant by V.E. Schwab (sign language)

Books – Non-fiction
  • Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century Edited by Alice Wong
  • Sitting Pretty: The View from my Ordinary Resilient Body by Rebekah Taussig
  • What The **** Is Normal? by Francesca Martinez
  • The World I Fell Out Of by Melanie Reid
  • Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World by Laura James
  • An Adult with an Autism Diagnosis: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Gillan Drew
  • Ramping Up Rights, Rachel Charlton-Dailey
  • The Boy Who Lived by David Holmes
  • Able (2021) (Amazon Prime)
  • Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain (2021) (BBC iPlayer)
  • Our Family and Autism (2021) (BBC iPlayer)
  • Strictly Amy: Crohn’s and Me (2021) (BBC iPlayer)
  • Wonder (2017) (Facial difference)
  • The Theory of Everything (2014) (ALS)
  • Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020) (Various)
  • Ray (2004) (Visual Impairment)
  • Five Feet Apart (2019) (Cystic Fibrosis)
  • Me Before You (2016) (Paralysis)
  • The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) (Duchenne muscular dystrophy)
  • Then Barbara Met Alan (2022) (various)
  • CODA (2021), (Deaf Representation)
  • Rising Phoenix (2020) (various)
  • A Quiet Place (2018) (Deaf Representation)
  • Atypical (2017–2021) (Autism)
  • The Good Doctor (2017–present) (Autism)
  • Special (2019–2021) (Cerebral Palsy)
  • Raising Dion (2019–present) (ADHD)
  • Speechless (2016–2019) (Cerebral Palsy)
  • Sex Education (2019-2021), (Wheelchair use)
  • Mr ColitisCrohns on YouTube
  • Roll with Cole & Charisma on YouTube
  • Jessica Kellgren-Fozard on YouTube
  • wheelie_good_life on Instagram
  • iampayingattention on Instagram
  • theautisticlife on Instagram
  • autism_sketches on Instagram
  • Tasha Ghouri
  • Sitting Pretty Lolo, Youtube
  • Milly Pickles, TikTok, Instagram
  • Toby Addison, TikTok
  • Lucy, ludawinthesky, TikTok and Instagram
  • Ellie Midds, elliemidds, TikTok and Instagram
  • Amy Pohl, amy_pohl, TikTok and Instagram
  • BBC Ouch
  • Abnormally Funny People
  • The Accessible Stall with Kyle and Emily
  • Practice Makes Progress
  • The Disability and... Podcast
  • Access All: Disability News and Mental Health
  • Disability After Dark

Features

4 Movies to Watch During Disability History Month

Wed 10 Dec 2025

Here are four films that our community organiser recommends watching during Disability History Month.

 
Wheelchair-Accessible Night Out Spots in London

Thu 20 Nov 2025

We have compiled a list of London’s more wheelchair accessible pubs and clubs for your next night out!

 
Why Is Disability History Month Important?

Thu 31 Oct 2024

Disability History Month has been part of the liberation calendar since 2010, when it was observed for the first time in the UK when a collective of disability organisations came together to devote a time of the year to focus on their struggle for equality and human rights.

 
 

Contact us

Rosie Nee
Disabled and SLD Rep (Mile End)
Amelia Pendlebury
Disabled and SLD Rep (BL)