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Student-led campaign

Accessibility within Societies

Making LJMU societies more accessible by empowering committees to create inclusive events where disabled students can fully participate.
46%
of students with a disability do not participate in societies
Source: JMSU, 2024
Have your say
Tell us about your experiences of accessibility in societies, and help make the Students' Union more accessible and inclusive. Our survey is now open.
“Accessibility should be considered from the beginning, rather than students having to ask for adjustments or miss out.”
— Rhiannon Johnston, Student Activist

The issue

Disabled and neurodivergent students at LJMU can face many barriers to taking part in societies and social activities, particularly when events are held in spaces that aren't wheelchair accessible or don't consider different access needs. This campaign aims to raise accessibility awareness among society committees and encourage accessible event planning, so that access needs are always considered when choosing venues and organising activities.
Every student should have the opportunity to fully take part in university life, not just attend their course. Societies help students build friendships, develop confidence and feel part of the university community. When events are inaccessible, disabled students can miss out on these experiences or face extra barriers to joining in.
Last academic year, Rhiannon needed to use a wheelchair. Some of the spaces used for society meetups weren't wheelchair accessible, which made attending societies much harder. That experience showed how accessibility can directly affect whether students feel able to take part, and it's why this campaign believes accessibility should be built in from the start.

What we want

Improve accessibility awareness
Help society committees understand the barriers disabled and neurodivergent students can face, and how to make their activities more inclusive.
Make society events more accessible
Encourage societies to consider accessibility when choosing venues, planning activities and promoting events.
Give disabled students a stronger voice
Create opportunities for disabled and neurodivergent students to share their experiences and shape how JMSU and societies improve accessibility.

Who's behind it

Rhiannon Johnston

Rhiannon Johnston

Student Activist
School of Education
Education with Special Educational Needs, Year 2
“As a disabled student, I have experienced first-hand how accessibility barriers can prevent students from fully participating in university life. I want to use my experience to help create positive change, so that other disabled and neurodivergent students have the same opportunities to feel included and get involved.”
Email Rhiannon

Progress so far

Last updated: November 2026
  1. Getting started
    Planning and training
    Developing the campaign plan and completing training in campaigning, accessibility and representing disabled and neurodivergent students.
  2. Now
    Building the campaign
    Working with LJMU and students to understand accessibility barriers, gather experiences and develop ideas, including through the Inclusive by Design accessibility project.
  3. By July 2027
    Creating change
    Working with JMSU and society committees to introduce clearer accessibility guidance and training, so events are more inclusive and accessible.

Want to get involved?

Are you a disabled or neurodivergent student with experiences to share, or a society committee member who wants to make your events more inclusive? Rhiannon would love to hear from you.

This campaign is led by a JMSU Student Activist, with support from the Student Voice team.