JACOB PAYNE

Hello, my name is Jacob and I am your Disability Student Officer for the academic year 2024/25.  I believe that students with disabilities (both visible and non-visible) should have full access to the range of opportunities at university that will support them achieve their full potential in later life.

I have an enthusiastic attitude towards ensuring that students with disabilities have a positive experience of attending university, as this in turn has an immense effect on developing confidence to be integrated into the wider society in the future.

Having living experience of the disabilities of Cerebral Palsy, Autism and Epilepsy I wish to utilise my knowledge and skills to act as an advocate to benefit students by listening to their experiences with the aim of increasing awareness and improving support for their concerns.

I have had extensive experience of being exposed to limited opportunities as a result of ‘barriers’. However, my resolve to overcome barriers and my determined attitude has provided the motivation to find solutions that have changed perspectives and paved the way forward for others. For example, I drew awareness to the Equality Act 2010 to continue my education at school and as a result achieved access to university despite barriers relating to my disabilities.

I have developed the skills of organisation, perseverance and working collaboratively as part of a team through a range of successful theatre projects, at the Watford Palace Theatre that I believe would contribute to successfully performing the role.

I am keen to promote inclusion and accessibility for students with both visible and non-visible disabilities and my key aims and aspirations for students are:

• To create a forum that meets monthly online, in-person and over the telephone to discuss the issues faced by students with both visible and non-visible disabilities and act as Student Voice.  

• To communicate via a Newsletter useful information, alongside setting up a portal that allows students to share their ideas to improve inclusion and accessibility.

• To organise Union social events that are accessible for students with disabilities (both visible and non-visible) particularly in respect of timings and venues, using information gained through Student Voice.

• To plan accessible and inclusive (including transition) events for students by specifically addressing issues of loneliness and isolation, supporting settling in and developing life skills, e.g. cooking.

• To liaise with the Careers department to implement training sessions to identify types of support available for applying for jobs and working with employers (e.g. types of adjustments available for filling in application forms, attending interviews, how to share information about your disability with employers, expectations once you have been offered a job, how to request reasonable adjustments).

• To create 2 innovative campaigns that boost Student Membership and promotes racial equality.

• To implement the mandatory legacy campaign for Disability Awareness Month and a supplementary campaign that supports or celebrates students from racially minority backgrounds.

I believe these aims will have a positive impact on increasing understanding and awareness of students living with disabilities across the university, as well as empowering students with disabilities to have ownership of outcomes and be included as part of the broader university community.

contact me

Email: jacob.payne@brunel.ac.uk