Rey Nairn (Illuminate)
Hi, my name’s Rey Nairn and my pronouns are they/them. I am a 1st year Health Sciences student, and I will be your Accessibility Officer for 2022.
I have a strong sense of justice and am known as a fierce advocate for minority communities. I am multiply Disabled, with my perspective being heavily informed by my experience living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and BPD (among others).
My special interests include (but are certainly not limited to) building intersectional communities to uplift the voices of students, challenging misconceptions about minority experiences, diverse and customized accessibility measures, anti-capitalist organizing, and the interrelationship between accessibility and climate change. I believe strongly in the Social Model of Disability, and tend to view Disability as a fluid state relative to the environment and accommodations afforded to people using the space or service.
As a neurodivergent wheelchair user, I have noticed many barriers to access both on and off campus that I aim to rectify as Accessibility Officer. These measures will not only benefit medically disabled students, but increase equitable access for all students – including students with financial difficulties and family responsibilities, and students living far from campus or with restricted access to transport. I will continue to advocate for the return of our second Tuition Free week, increased access to counselling services, and more equitable learning resources and assessments. I will also advocate for the updating of university language guides to reflect the preferences of communities that are referenced, as well as advocating for sensitivity training for university staff.
I will make the voices of Disabled students and those with accessibility needs heard.