College of Science & Engineering

Disability office hours

Disability Office Hours are an opportunity for students and staff with a disability to talk to a member of staff with a disability about anything disability-related. In other words, they are a chance to have a friendly and supportive conversation with a member of staff who has first-hand experience of the challenges that disabilities can pose for study and work.

Our definition of disability is broad and includes all forms of long-term health conditions (including mental health), neurodiversity, and sensory and mobility impairments.

We organise Disability Office Hours once per semester, usually aligned with UK Disability History Month (end of November) in Semester 1 and around Neurodiversity Celebration Week (end of March) in Semester 2. They are open to CoSE students of all programmes and levels (including UG, PGT, and PGR) and all CoSE staff.

There is usually a mix of in-person and online sessions, as well as both pre-bookable and drop-in sessions. In-person meetings are held in accessible meeting rooms or offices. Online meetings are usually Zoom or Teams video calls, with or without cameras. Alternatively, meetings can also be a chat on Teams.

If you book a pre-bookable slot, then that time is reserved for you. In contrast, you do not need to reserve time for the drop-in sessions. Note, however, that if you show up for an online or in-person drop-in session, another student may be talking to the staff member already. In that case, you might have to wait a short while until it is your turn.

If none of the formats or times offered work for you, please let us (Chris.McCaig@glasgow.ac.uk, Lauritz.Thamsen@glasgow.ac.uk) know, as we are eager to make Disability Office Hours work well for everyone interested.

• See details of the specific upcoming office hours

If you are a colleague with a disability in CoSE and you can volunteer some of your time to host Disability Office Hours, please get in touch with Chris and Lauritz.

Do you need support? Just a reminder that students and staff can find information about the Disability Service on MyGlasgow: Disability Service (for students) Disability (for staff)

Staff will also find our Health and wellbeing page useful. On this page, you can find a range of support options, including Health Assured, Mental Health First aiders, Respect Advisors, Chaplaincy, Councelling and Occupational Health, as well as external resources.