Disability Champions Forum
Is a grassroots community of practice form for all information professionals which was
launched in November 2015 in affiliation with ALISS
We aim to offer librarians, Special Collections, information professionals from all sectors an informal place to
contact, meet and exchange and exchange ideas. Disability is defined broadly to include
neurodiversity conditions, mental health issues, physical or intellectual impairment. We
believe that library users should not be ‘disabled’ by technical, environmental or social
conditions in libraries and urge all those who support this to join us to improve access for all
We are a PAAG Charter Ally
supporting the aim to make all content accessible
Disability
The latest edition of my Disability, Higher Education Teaching and Learning Bibliography updated frequently with new key references
You can view the new Zotero library where I am collecting references here
Meeting 20th November 2025
Glasgow Clyde College- well being space Rachel Allen, Library and Digital Resource Facilitator. View the slides
Victoria Collins, University of Worcester – Sensory Guide to the Hive
https://library.worc.ac.uk/sensory-guide-to-the-hive
“Working with users to create a more accessible library” – Eva Garcia Grau and Clare Hunter, Royal Holloway, University of London
A summary of a user experience (UX) project in the library aimed at improving accessibility. The project involved gathering feedback from users with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. Based on their input, several changes were made to enhance the library’s services, spaces, and digital platforms to better meet their needs.. View the slides
Meeting 30th September 2025
Beyond Books: NESCol Libraries & Student Wellbeing.- Christine E. Strachan Senior Information Librarian NESCol Library Service. View the slides
This provided moving examples of how the well-being space and activities created by the library service had a positive impact on students at the college. It showed examples of the branding, design of the space and the types of activities undertaken. It also gave examples of a learning tools library of equipment for loan, which has proved very popular. This has included headphones, SAD lamps and exam reader pens
Quiet tours for neurodiverse students, Lynne Styles, Skills Development Librarian, Northumbria University
Lynne gave an overview of the development of a tour designed for neurodiverse students. She emphasised the need to thorough planning with stakeholders such as the Students’ union, the importance of pilots and getting feedback. She gave many valuable tips on design, including pacing, what to include and how to design a handout
Meeting August 2025
Andrea Price and Bethan Williams presented We Care: Actions Speak Louder
than Words at Swansea University Libraries 3.0,
This offered insight into well-being initiatives taking place at the university. A central focus of these is the university ethos of showing care and creating a sense of belonging and inclusivity for all staff/ students.
View the slides
Lara Marshall, RNIB. Gave an introduction and overview of activities relating to Hi-Vis Fortnight 2025.View the slides.
we also created a shared padlet Our start of term plans
https://padlet.com/h_dawson/our-start-of-term-plans-2s7m1xdlajuhouda
and discussed issues relating to
Pre-sessional contact
Types of guides created
Types of Tours offered
Problems and issues faced.
Meeting June 2025
Kate Marshall, Head of User Experience and Environment Nottingham Trent University – gave an extensive introduction to developing sensory and well being spaces in Nottingham Trent University. View the slides
Meeting April 2025
Creating a Neuroinclusive Library, Charlie Parkinson, Bradford College. View the slides
References to sources referred to in the presentation
Content Accessibility. Building the House one Floor at a Time. The story so far…and lessons learned.-Simon Holt, Senior Product Manager, Content Accessibility, Elsevier. View the slides.
Meeting February 2025
What does it mean to be information literate for an autistic person working in the academic library workplace – Amelia Haire, University of London. View the slides
Meeting October 2024
Stressless campaign Canterbury Christchurch University, View the slides.
Meeting September 2024
September meeting notes
University of Lincoln Sensory Room. This presentation by Lesley Thompson described the evolution of a sensory room in the Library from an initial student idea to planning, purchasing and the final results. Be inspired. The notes from the meeting also give links to other inspiring guides from the University of Liverpool and Northampton University which were shared during the meeting as well as some useful tools for supporting neurodiverse staff and students.
Meeting July 2024
Creating wellbeing spaces in Swansea UHB Library spaces since 2020 – Betsy Morgan
Meeting May 2024
Making archives accessible for visually impaired audiences- Ellen Oredsson, National Archives
Meeting March 2024
Wellbeing in our Libraries – Sarah Todd University of Aberdeen
Meeting January 2024.
Disability history month recap – Aliss held a show case to mark disability history month
There is also a padlet of suggested resources These included materials suggested by a forum of PhD researchers
LSE Library Buddying Café- Jo Taplin Green spoke about the aims and organisation of this event. See the slides
Guidelines
Meeting November 2023
Sofia Mavrogen, University of Bedfordshire. Reflected on a Library resource session for neurodiverse students held at university of Bedfordshire at start of term. See the slides .
Tina Webber from Swansea University gave a quick overview ofthe history and current role of their great Transcription Service. See the slides here
Meeting September 2023
Lara Marshall RNIB gave a presentation on her role and the type of support the RNIB can offer libraries and archives. See the slides
Meeting July 2023
How Alexander from TextBOX gave an update on Aspire and other services. See the slides.
Beverley Delaney from OU summarised the work of the OU on improving audio visual presentations to make them more accessible. This was based on the slides prepared by Manda Laine
alissnet.com 