Positionality in relation to disability: Able-bodied white male 50 years old living in london.
UAL disability services champion the social model of disability, the social model of disability proposes that a disability is only disabling when it prevents someone from doing what they want or need to do.
As a print room and dye lab technician one aspect of my role is concerned with health and safety and how to work safely with equipment and chemicals. It is my role to adapt and negotiate with students of varying abilities and find ways to accommodate all my students and assist them in realising their goals in a safe and negotiated manner. I have not been approached by a disability advisor or been included in an individual support agreement which is surprising as I know by speaking with my students some have mental and physical disabilities
It would be great to show the work of disabled students on the textiles programme at Chelsea particularly to prospective disabled students considering a career in textile design however I think this would need to be thoughtfully handled and student lead. I don’t think disabled textiles students would want to be categorized or othered by UAL.
I too am from a technical role and I find it shocking that no disability advisors have approached us to inform us of students learning difficulties etc. I feel if we were to know we could approach things different and give them more 1-1 support as needed. I feel I now have more knowledge of all these available resources and will be directing students to seek help should they need it.
I too would love to showcase students of different abilities work in the Learning Zone at CSM, I agree with you that it would need to be student led.