July Updates
Kia Ora and welcome to a monthly update for July, for our members and wider community to keep informed as to what the NDSA executive and membership has been up to.
Oh boy, did July hit us with so much!
First off was Festival For the Future where we held a fun and interactive stall on the convention floor featuring a board game journey that showcased the experiences of students with disabilities through the tertiary education system. We used this stall not just for fun and games but also to connect and share our mission for an inclusive, quality and accessible education system with attendees.
Festival also saw Co-President Tara participate in a climate justice wānanga, adding an intersectional perspective to discussions. Meanwhile Co-President Seans had the pleasure of joining the Neurodiversity Hui at parliament led by our good friends the Young Neurodiverse Champions. Here attendees collectively advocated for a commitment from the government to embed neuro inclusivity into the education system from primary to tertiary.
Tara also continued her environmentalism mahi, later in the month, shining a light to the importance of accessible climate action and response to the Youth Climate Collective conference, where she was invited to speak on their communities panel. Sharing both from her personal experiences living with a disability in a rural location prone to flooding and erosion and bringing the wider views of students and other young people with disabilities into the climate space, reflecting back conversations had across our membership to share with the panel.
The Committee on University Student Pastoral Care also met this quarter in person, Co-president Tara who sits on this committee as the sole disabled student representative was able to share the results of the interagency research project. Here she advocated for action from universities to ensure that the requirements of the code for the voice of students with disabilities to be listened to in decision making, particularly in regard to disability action plans, occurs. As this research shows this important opportunity to best meet the needs of students with disabilities is not being fully embraced by universities.
There were other critical hui happening across the motu. In Christchurch this month executive members Nikki and Nevé, represented NDSA at the meeting of student association presidents. With representatives also joining from all eight university student associations, the New Zealand International Student’s Association, and Te Mana Ākonga. The rest of the executive appreciates Nikki and Nevé's contribution to this gathering, and their mahi to ensure that disabled perspectives are part of the student union movement as it moves forward.
Nikki also had the opportunity to give a guest lecture to education faculty staff and students at Waikato university. Sharing key insights with this group about what inclusive education means from the perspective of learners. This presentation came not just from her lived experience but also our members. With reflections sought in person during various visits, during online meetings, and through social media.
Lastly we had an absolutely cracking online panel for re-ori week open all to discuss disability culture and what it means to our esteemed panellists, this is the first of a series of community facing online events we hope to host going forward linking up more learners and student advocates across the motu, and providing a space to listen in and discuss the topics that matter to us. Next on the list is in September, on the 1st, we hope to bring together some awesome representatives to discuss internship pathways for disabled students. Right in time for summer role applications. So watch this space!
Mā te wā,
The NDSA executive.