Join the Keele University Institute for Sustainable Futures raising awareness for International Day of People with Disabilities for a webinar with Dr Abigail Pearson - ‘Ensuring accessibility and inclusion within sustainability campaigning and message development.’

In this session Dr Abi Pearson from the School of Law will discuss the importance of increasing awareness of the needs of people with disabilities within the environmental sustainability messages to ensure that these do not inadvertently perpetuate ableist stereotypes or contravene disability legislation. For many people with disabilities their choices are limited, either due to lack of inaccessible mass transport options or the need to use single use plastic to maintain optimal health and wellbeing. Therefore, it is vital that we work together to build productive narratives which consider the needs of all people as sustainability is important and beneficial to the many, not just the privilege of a few.  

Abigail's Biography

I have had a varied educational experience. Prior to joining Keele, I studied English Literature at the University of St. Andrews for 4 years. Being the only permanent wheelchair user on campus during that time gave me an insight into the challenges facing students with disabilities, which has greatly influenced my current research interests. In 2011, I first came to Keele and completed the CPE, where I began to consider the rights of people with disabilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in terms of access to goods and services. I then undertook a Masters programme in Law and Society at Keele and my dissertation was based on the barriers facing persons with disabilities in relation to access to public transport. In my dissertation, I considered the appropriateness of maintaining the notions of ‘reasonable adjustment’ and ‘undue burden’ in the rights focused dialogue created by the CRPD. In September 2014, I presented a paper based on this research project at the Lancaster CeDR Disability Studies Conference. In September 2014, I returned to Keele to undertake a Ph.D. under the supervision of Dr Eliza Varney and Professor Anthony Bradney. My PhD considers the barriers facing students with disabilities to participation in legal education.

I am an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

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