RCVS and BVCIS join forces for UK Disability History Month

This UK Disability History Month (16 November 2023 to 16 December 2023), we joined forces with the British Veterinary Chronic Illness Society (BVCIS) to use our social media channels to help combat common myths surrounding disability within the veterinary professions.

Disability History Month is an annual event that gives people with disabilities a platform to spread awareness about their ongoing struggle for equity and human rights. We, along with BVCIS, are focussing on a myth-busting social media campaign.

Our Director for the Advancement of the Professions, Angharad Belcher (pictured), said: “When it comes to talking about disability within the veterinary professions, there are many misconceptions. We are proud to be partnering with BVCIS during this UK Disability History Month to dispel some of the myths surrounding disability and bring to light the value that our disabled colleagues bring to the professions, as well as providing disabled colleagues with a platform to share their stories, thoughts and experiences.

Claire Hodgson, co-founder of BVCIS, said: “Disability comes in so many different shapes and forms and quite often people may not even realise that a colleague is disabled. The purpose of this joint campaign is to highlight that disabled individuals are more capable than many people give them credit for and that having a disability does, in fact, bring unprecedented value to the workforce.

“However, it is important to note that this work goes far beyond simply myth-busting. The battles of disabled people within our professions are fought on a daily basis and it is important that we continue to work together to dispel the myths and ensure that the veterinary professions are a safe space for all, where we can foster the benefits of our diversity in order to thrive.”

All myth-busting posts were shared across the RCVS and BVCIS social media channels throughout Disability History Month.

We will continue to celebrate and recognise disabled veterinary professionals beyond Disability History Month, and highlight their contributions through a planned series of profile interviews in the new year. In early 2024, we will also be publishing the results of our landmark Disability and Chronic Illness Survey.