Blog listing

Global Accessibility Awareness Day highlights the importance of creating more accessible and inclusive digital and professional spaces for Disabled people, and those living with impairments. As part of this year’s awareness day, we spoke to Eukaryotic Division and Early Career Forum Executive Committee member, Abbie Storan, about their experiences navigating higher education, and a career in microbiology, as a researcher living with autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), dyspraxia and dyscalculia. From accessing support during their studies to building confidence within research spaces, Abbie reflects on the challenges, adjustments and opportunities that have shaped their journey in science.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place every year on 3 December, during UK Disability History Month. Both look to highlight the challenges faced by Disabled people. Member, Iga Wieczorek, has provided insights on her personal experiences, those of others and what needs to change.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness on digital accessibility and inclusion for disabled people and those living with impairments. To mark the day, we caught up with member, Kathryn Burdon, to discuss their experience as a BSc student diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that celebrates Deaf identity and raises awareness of the Deaf community, its language, culture and history.

This year, it takes place from 5–11 May and to mark the week, we caught up with Members Panel member and Journal of General Virology  Editor, Sharon Brookes, to discuss her experiences as a microbiologist who has experienced hearing loss for most of her career.

The month of July marks Disability Pride Month –  a month dedicated to celebrating difference and diversity among the disabled community. To highlight this awareness month, we caught up with retired member, Sharon Brookes, who has worn many Society hats during her career. Sharon shares her experience navigating academia with a disability, and gives advice to others with disabilities working in science.

Celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May, Global Accessibility Awareness Day aims to bring awareness to the importance of having conversations about accessibility and highlights the need for inclusive experiences that are accessible to everyone and inclusive for Disabled people. This year, Society member Becky Thomas shares her experiences and insights from attending the Society’s Annual Conference, coupled with the Disabled and Neurodivergent Members Social.

July marks Disability Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating diversity and difference among the disabled community. To mark Disability Pride Month 2023, member Eshet Lakew Tesfaye from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, shares his experience navigating academia with a disability, and gives advice to others with disabilities working in science.

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is celebrated today, 18 May, and its purpose is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about global accessibility. To mark this day, we interviewed Microbiology Society member Tanya Horne about her experience of navigating academia with a disability and the importance of accessibility.