Why Vote James? For the last two years I’ve served as the Disabled Students’ Campaign’s representative on the National Executive Council of NUS. In that time I’ve done everything from organising demonstrations to visiting Students’ Unions and producing research on making our institutions more accessible.

I believe my experience of organising at both a local and national level has given me the skills to fight back, and to win, and that’s why I want to ask for your support in electing to me to be your National Disabled Students’ Officer.

The Conservative majority government means that our campaign faces new challenges to protect the services and welfare of disabled students in the face of vicious attacks.

From preventing student suicides to defending services for disabled people, our campaign needs to grow and change, puts its resources and efforts into supporting your work locally, and building that into a national campaign to protect the rights of disabled students.

If you have any questions or want to discuss my manifesto, please get in touch with me.

Twitter / Facebook / Email

My Experience: NUS National Executive 2014-2016 / OUSU Disabled Students Officer 2014-2015 / OUSU Trustee 2015-16 / LUSU Staff Support 2012-13 / Student 2013-16

Mental Health & Student Suicide

Student Suicide Prevention

Suicide in Students is on the rise. It is now one of the top killers of young people yet we know so little about it.

I pledge to continue the student suicide prevention project, expand it to FE and implement its recommendations, including supporting all SUs develop a suicide prevention plan.

Mental Health Services

We know mental health problems can be a huge part of student life and without life saving services there to support students the impacts can be devastating. At the moment support services can be hit and miss across institutions.

I pledge to understand the support provided to students across the country and develop a minimum standard that should be implemented in both HE and FE. I will work with the VPFE so that college area reviews can be informed by these guidelines.

National Service Cuts Services are being cut everywhere. In our institutions, in our communities and across the UK nationally.

I pledge to lead the fight against these devastating proposals supporting and empowering you to organize campaigns around mental health services with your institution, councils and MPs.

Pledges: Defending Disabled Students’ Support Disabled Students Allowance The cuts to the Disabled Students Allowance will mean many Disabled Students will be cut out of education and will not be able to achieve their full potential. It is an attack on those who are often seen as not having a voice.

I pledge to be that voice. We will fight against the cuts and I will lead campaigning nationally to do so. I will support SUs locally to ensure the best possible support is available and that Universities and Colleges are delivering for disabled students.

Welfare ReformWelfare cuts from Westminster and devolved governments are devastating communities, they are leaving people in poverty, on the streets and on death’s door.

I pledge to help you understand the welfare cuts and their affects on disabled students, and support campaigns to protect them both nationally and in your areas.

Health and Social CareHealth and Social Care is at crisis point. Disabled people across the UK are being left without the care and support they need; this is especially true of disabled students as they battle with unyielding systems to move care from home to university.

I pledge to campaign for transferable care packages and adequate levels of care, while continuing our campaign against the £150 charge for international students to use the NHS.

Pledges: Campaign Development CommunicationAs your officer, I pledge to be visible, active and transparent. To improve communication, I will:

- Send out monthly email updates, outlining what I have been doing, and how to get involved.- Visit campuses on request, to deliver training, workshops and support you in your campaigns.- Publishing reports and blogs on NUS Connect to explain the work I’m doing and how I can

support you.mail

Support and TrainingProviding support is key to building an effective campaign, which is why I want to introduce more training and resources for disabled activists.

- I pledge to introduce a Disabled Activist Training Day, bringing in students from HE and FE, to discuss and learn how to organise on your campus.

- I will also hold Training Days in the Nations alongside our Nations Officers, and ensure that our national campaigns are relevant to all students.

- I will introduce a disabled students’ activist /officer handbook so you can hit the ground running in your SU.

- I will set up regional organising networks to create campaigning bodies that can bring activists together to discuss and share ideas, hold events in Disabled History Month, and run campaigns in their region.

If you have any questions or want to discuss my manifesto, please get in touch with me. Twitter / Facebook / Email

IF YOU REQUIRE THIS MATERIAL IN AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT PLEASE LET ME KNOW AT JFG.ELLIOTT@LIVE.CO.UK