Dialogues on Disability: London (2015)

Established in 2013 in partnership with Delhi University as a tool for creating continuous dialogue for improvement, the programme now also brings together Humboldt University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Held at King's this week, Dialogues on Disability saw participants hold discussions and debate and hear from experts. Representatives from King's Disability and Advisory Service, Careers & Employability, King's Sport and King's Student Union spoke about how King's is working to constantly improve the university experience for disabled staff and students. The group explored topics from inclusion in all aspects of university life, mentoring and pathways to success after graduation.

During the week-long programme, the group visited forward-thinking organisations including Transport for London, the British Council, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the National Portrait Gallery to learn about, and take inspiration from, the innovative ways in which UK institutions are addressing issues around accessibility for a large and varied range of end-users. The week culminated in a meeting with Baroness Sheila Hollins at the House of Lords to discuss the role of Government in promoting the rights of disabled people.

To end the programme, students gave presentations on their findings and about what inspired them most. Hugo Samuel Sanchez Reyes, a Geophysical Engineering student at UNAM participating in the programme said, 'the programme taught me that we are not disabled but differently abled. We have the ability to do and achieve many things by sharing our experiences globally.'