Group Chat: What Stops You Asking for Access? – Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network Meeting

Join us for our next online meet-up on Thursday 26 March from 2pm.

During our March general chat session, we are going to be discussing the issues and obstacles disabled authors face when asking for access requests. This follows on from the launch of our access document last year. You can find details and download it here: https://societyofauthors.org/groups/authors-disabilities-illnesses-network/

Please find below the questions we’ll be considering.

Positives:

• What have you done well in advocating for your access needs?
• What enabled you to advocate for yourself?

Barriers:

• At which stage do you find it hardest to ask for adjustments?
• What are the main barriers that hold you back from asking for reasonable adjustments?

Practicalities:

• What adjustments have been particularly helpful?
• What adjustment would you like to ask for but haven’t yet?

Closing reflection:

• What would enable you to feel more confident in asking for adjustments?

The session is a general chat, so it won’t be recorded, but we will email out anonymised notes on what we have discussed. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please email your responses to disabledauthors@gmail.com or anything else you would like to add.

The information will be passed (anonymously) onto coaching psychologist Lisa Christie who is running a professional development session for us on Tuesday 2 June to help disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent authors to confidently make access requests.

You can sign up for that here: https://societyofauthors.org/event/professional-development-how-to-ask-for-what-you-need-gaining-confidence-to-speak-up-while-navigating-barriers-in-publishing/

About the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network 

The Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses network is a member-led peer support network aims to break feelings of isolation by connecting authors facing common experiences, in an online community that offers continuing professional and personal support.

We run monthly get-togethers using Zoom, where you can chat informally online with others. Depending on your computer or device, you can take part either using audio or video. Please let us know if you have any specific needs that will help you take part.

Our primary aim is to offer a friendly and supportive space where you can feel safe to ask questions, share experiences, offer advice, and make new connections. For more information, visit our Network page here.

Our online meet-ups are free to attend for ADCI Network members only. To join us, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form. We’ll send you an email with a link to join us on Zoom.

If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk mail folder! 

If you have any access questions please contact us at disabledauthors@gmail.com