RCVS and BVCIS collaborate for UK Disability History Month

As part of UK Disability History Month in 2023, we joined forces with the British Veterinary Chronic Illness Society (BVCIS) to help combat common myths surrounding disability within the veterinary professions through our social media channels.

UK Disability History Month is an annual awareness campaign that promotes understanding of disability, its history and the experiences of disabled people. To support the campaign, we worked with the British Veterinary Chronic Illness Society (BVCIS) on a social media myth-busting 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 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.”

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

The RCVS continues to recognise and celebrate disabled veterinary professionals throughout the year, highlighting their contributions through profile interviews and other communications.