This article includes information about the different types of accessibility, why it's always important to consider accessibility and disability etiquette. 

We would like to say a big thank you to the Neurodivergent and Disabled Student Society (NDSS) for providing this information. You can find out more about NDSS and join the society here. 

Different Types of Accessibility to Consider

You can use our article on Event Planning and Accessibility to find out how to accommodate different accessibility needs at your society events.

Physical Accessibility

A physical disability is any condition that impacts a person’s physical abilities. A physical disability may mean someone requires the use of mobility aids. However, physical disabilities are not necessarily visible. Depending on the cause, physical disabilities may be dynamic, i.e. accessibility needs may change day to day. 

Fatigue Accessibility 

When a person has chronic fatigue, they may have to manage their energy carefully. Energy levels are dynamic and could vary on different days. 

Sensory Accessibility 

Sensory overwhelm occurs when a person’s sensory system is overwhelmed by stimuli, e.g. loud noise, bright or flashing lights, large crowds, strong smells, strange textures, being touched. The person may become non-verbal and may struggle to communicate being overwhelmed, which can result in physical and psychological harm to the person. The person may need supports like stim toys, ear defenders, and sensory tools.

Mental Health Accessibility 

A mental health condition is a medical illness that significantly disrupts how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or interacts with others. Mental health accessibility involves removing barriers to attending society events. 

“Our society has no members with accessibility needs. Do we still need to be accessible?”

It's important to remember that the majority of disabilities are invisible and 1/5th of the population is disabled, so the chances that you have disabled members are likely. 

Part of your responsibility as a Society Leader is to make your society a welcoming and accessible space for all Exeter students!

It is important that you pre-emptively advertise accessibility features that you have included in your event planning and put up announcements in your society inviting members to share their accessibility needs with you and to make it clear that your society is trying to be inclusive, as many disabled people may be afraid to speak up about their access needs.

Disability Etiquette 

What questions are appropriate to ask disabled members?

Questions that are appropriate to ask: 

• Questions about their accessibility needs
• If necessary, relevant medical information

Questions that are inappropriate to ask someone: 

• Invasive medical questions
• Variations of “What happened to you”
• Direct questions to friends/carers instead of the person 

Remember, at no point are you entitled to a person's medical information or history, but for the benefit of the member's safety, it may be necessary for you to know some of their medical information. This could be things like allergies, risk of seizures, or information that may be necessary to tell an EMT if they have a medical emergency. The person will often volunteer this information if they feel it is necessary.

Acquiring or undergoing diagnosis for a disability is often traumatic, and asking someone to relive those traumatic experiences to satisfy your curiosity is not appropriate.

When can someone touch a person’s mobility aids (including service animals)? 

When they give explicit consent (including when helping)

Mobility aids are considered an extension of a person's body. If you would not touch a person's leg in that situation, then you should not touch a person's mobility aid either. This includes offerings of help. Asking a disabled person if they need assistance is absolutely fine, but helping them without consent or after they say no can cause physical harm and distress to the person, regardless of how well-intentioned you may be.

When can I ask someone to stop or change how they stim? 

Stimming, short for "self-stimulatory behaviour," is the repetition of physical movements, sounds, words, or the use of objects. If someone's stimming method is causing others to be overwhelmed, derailing a conversation, or posing a safety risk, it is okay to ask them to change how they are stimming. You should never ask someone to stop stimming completely.