Hi, Chris here! I’m one of the Wellbeing and Inclusivity Ambassador at Pearson College London. I thought I’d write this blog to tell you peeps who we are and what we do as ambassadors!
Working alongside Ed Penn, Access and Participation Manager, and other College staff, our main role is to target and represent students from BAME, disabled, working-class and non-traditional communities across the two schools.
We love the community we have here and want to promote a sense of, belonging and diversity here within our school by raising awareness to diversity and inclusion issues, running amazing events, building a social media presence, and providing opportunities to join workshops.
For me, my role covers students with any disability in the school. I’m disabled myself as I am partially deaf in both ears so it’s great to be a part of the change from the inside. If you’re a disabled student and you want to know more about seeking support for your needs, don’t worry, I'm here to help!
First thing first, if you’re a current or prospective student with additional needs, you should inform the College as soon as possible so we can get you the right support whilst you’re studying with us.
Not sure if you come under additional learning needs? Just check out a few examples listed here:
hearing and visual impairments and mobility difficulties
medical conditions, such as arthritis and asthma
specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyspraxia
conditions such as OCD, bipolar, depression and anxiety disorders
temporary conditions, such as a broken limb
For more information, please click here: https://www.pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk/for-students/current-students/additional-needs.html?intid=ST_CS_CB2_1
If you need support with applying for DSA Funding, please click here: https://www.pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk/content/dam/region-core/uk/pearson-college/Documents%20and%20Forms/DSA-Guide.pdf Remember, just because a disability isn’t always visible doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have an impact!
It’s okay if you fall in this bracket, because your disability doesn’t define who you are as a person. It makes you stronger and more determined to achieve your goals in life!
I thought to leave you with a few wise words from Shane E. Bryan - “I do not have a disability; I have a gift! Others may see it as a disability, but I see it as a challenge. This challenge is a gift because I have to become stronger to get around it, and smarter to figure out how to use it; others should be so lucky.”
If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to email me on: chris.bakalis007@pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk
or follow us on Instagram: @pcl_ap and Twitter: @PCL_AP