New module in Understanding Disability

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Bath Spa University launches new module in Understanding Disability

Thursday, 27 November, 2025

As part of its evolving curriculum, Bath Spa University has introduced a new module in Understanding Disability, with the first cohort of students starting in the second semester of this academic year. 

The module – which is open to all students regardless of which degree they’re studying or whether they have a disability – aims to provide awareness of issues surrounding disability, including physical, mental health and learning disabilities. With a mixture of lectures, lived-experience sessions, workshops, and debates, the module will introduce issues that have affected disabled people throughout history and in the present, and students will learn about working in an environment that is inclusive and develop skills to challenge and advocate from an informed perspective. 

The idea was originally presented to the University's Portfolio and Planning team by Disability Service Manager Kitty Eve. A year in the making, the module was designed by a team of staff working with the Portfolio and Planning team. They began by hosting a series of workshops, inviting colleagues from around the University to explore themes around disability, inclusion, and neurodiversity. 

Talking about the desired outcomes of the module, Kitty said: 

“Disabled students make up nearly a third of our student body, so education about disability for all students is important. Understanding barriers your friends may face and being informed are amazing qualities. In addition to preparing for the workplace and how we interact with people are interpersonal skills that will see BSU graduates go far.” 

Including staff and students from across the BSU community was key to the module’s successful development. BSU has a higher-than-average proportion of disabled staff and students; just over 11% of BSU staff and 28% of students identify as having a disability, compared to just under 8% for staff and 18% for students across all UK universities.  

Tom Gardner, Projects Coordinator for Portfolio Planning, said one of the most important things about the module was expanding beyond the typical development process and inviting contributions from students and staff across the University alongside academics with expertise in disability and inclusion.  

Explaining further, Tom said: 

“With this module, we wanted to move beyond the usual curriculum design process by genuinely listening to colleagues and students from across the whole BSU community. By bringing together academic expertise with the perspectives of catering, pastoral and professional services staff, as well as students themselves, we’re able to present disability not as an abstract concept but as something deeply connected to everyday life at BSU. We’re committed to inclusivity and diversity, and it feels entirely right that every undergraduate student should have the opportunity to study a module in this area.” 

MA Inclusive Education student and former Chair of the BSU Disabled Students Network Amber Daw, who was part of the module development team said: 

“It was a really unique opportunity to be a student getting to shape what a module would look like. I learned a lot about what makes a good module, how new ones are constructed and the amount of collaboration that goes on behind the scenes. It was great to work with so many different teams and see the community-led approach to the module. As a disabled, neurodivergent person, it was an engaging challenge to figure out what I would want a module about disability to portray about the lived experience of being disabled and what the key takeaways would be.” 

Lecturer in Educational Psychology Dr Hannah Lewis, who was also involved in the module’s development said: 

“There was a strong desire for the module to make a real difference for students, thinking about the bigger picture, how this module could raise awareness and provide confidence to students around these topics beyond their studies. Everything about the process was collaborative from the word go. The workshops were designed in a way to allow everyone to have a voice for ideas and to feedback on developments. This allowed us as a team to narrow down the focus and bring all those ideas together into a shared vision that we are excited to begin delivering.” 

Reader in Disability Studies and Inclusion Research Dr Stuart Read said:  

“From a disabled staff perspective, there is an immense amount of pride and joy in knowing that this long-needed module will begin next semester, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have been central to us getting to this point. The module will bring together experts from across the University to showcase all the great work that is being completed within the fields of disability and inclusion. Our hope is that all staff and students who are part of this module will find it an exciting and memorable educational experience.”     

Find out more about disability advocacy and activism at BSU through the We Are The People project.