Disability History Month 2026
Posted on Friday 6 November 2026
Disability History month 2026 runs from Thursday 19 November until Saturday 20 December with the theme Disability, Politics and Democracy. For more information about Disability History Month, see the national DHM web page.
Our actions
The Disability Inclusion Framework outlines our approach to disability equality, which includes the physical estate, e-accessibility, culture and good practice and the disabled students experience. There is also a list of progress made since the framework was created.
Events
University of York events
Brain mapping: How deaf adults brains re-wire to boost 'danger radar' - Thursday 3 December 6pm to 7.30pm, online
Improving accessibility in routine breast screening - an exploration of the future of NHS services
Monday 14 December, 2.45pm to 4.15pm
Across Yorkshire, around 3,000 women miss out on routine breast screening every year because physical disabilities or injuries make it difficult for them to get into the correct position for an X-ray.
Researchers at Institute for Safe Autonomy (ISA) are addressing this problem by designing an AI-enabled robotic system to help maintain the correct posture for screening. The system, called the Mammobot, is supported by funding from Breast Cancer Now and Cancer Research UK. The project was inspired by the late Jane Hudson. Paralysed from the chest down, she was unable to get a mammogram and was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer just months later.
The team, led by Dr Jihong Zhu, alongside Professor Radu Calinescu, is working closely with clinical partners at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In July they held their first workshop bringing together engineers, radiographers and patient advocacy groups, which offered the chance to report on progress and better understand the perspectives of healthcare and patient representatives. The project has received significant media coverage including BBC Radio, BBC Breakfast and most recently BBC Look North. The project is also among The Medipex NHS Innovation Awards Finalists.
The Institute for Safe Autonomy is hosting a presentation from Dr Zhu, a demonstration of the Mammobot and a tour of the building and its laboratories and test spaces.
If you are interested in attending please complete the Improving accessibility in routine breast screening - an exploration of the future of NHS services form.
Any questions please feel free to contact isa-admin@york.ac.uk.
City-wide events
Saturday 28 November to Saturday 5 December
There is a programme of events planned during this week, including art exhibitions, workshops and forums.
Resources
- New Access to Work Information for staff
- Disability Confident Scheme
- Roles and Responsibilities guidance created in relation to making reasonable adjustments for staff
- Procuring accessible systems guidance
- AccessAble Guides
- Neurodiversity toolkit for staff
- Online e-learning Disability Awareness module for staff (login required)
- Staff journey for a new member of staff with a disability
- Student journey for a new undergraduate with a disability
- More disability related guidance available on the EDI web page.
Watch again
- Disability History Month playlist - videos from University events on the York Ideas channel
- Accessible active travel for all - Isabelle Clement
- "They hear, but don't listen": Experience of disability in higher education - Dr Nicole Brown
- Disability and Technology: past, present and possibilities - by members of the University’s Teaching and Learning Team
- Access for Whom - Dr Ossie Stuart
- Dyslexia superpower: Moving from disability through learning difference to advantage - Nigel Lockett
Support for students
University services
Free tools and apps for studying
In addition to our support services, there are a range of options and free tools to help make studying more accessible for everyone. Find out more with our Accessibility Skills Guide and the Learning Technology Practical Guide or come to the next Introduction to digital accessibility tools and features (staff and students only) session for a guided tour through the tools available to you.