Nothing about us without us is the motto is that guides the Access and Support Platform’s work.

Therefore, our mission is two-fold:

ASP offers an inclusive community for students with a disability and aims to spread awareness on accessibility and disability issues.
 

Within this part of its mission, ASP:

• organises community events
• spreads awareness on disability issues
• offers a space for connection, between students with a disability as well as others who want to find out more about it. 

ASP builds a bridge between students with a disability and the university administration.
 

Within this part of its mission, ASP:

• reports on accessibility and disability issues to relevant university stakeholders
• cooperates with relevant university stakeholders to improve well-being services.

ASP offers a space for students with a disability to safely and confidentially share their experiences and burdens within the university structure. ASP’s aim is to engage in productive and open dialogues with students and relevant stakeholders to make positive change happen.

Leiden University’s students with a disability should be able to have their voices heard and considered. Up until now this group has been largely invisible. Having a disability and studying at the same time can be like having two full-time jobs. That is why the Access & Support Platform strives to be a point of contact and a network through which Leiden University students can confidentially – via e-mail, in person and at meetings – share their experiences, concerns and suggestions regarding disability matters.

The Access & Support Platform strives to reduce the barrier between staff and students with a disability and the greater Leiden University community. This is done by:

• Organiding events to spread awareness and foster connections within the student community (among students with a disability and within the broader community at Leiden University).
• Acting as a bridge between students with a disability and other stakeholders at Leiden University.
• Remaining a point of contact for stakeholders within Leiden University to consult and advise on disability matters from the student perspective.

The Access & Support Platform is a network without registered membership. Everyone with an interest in or affinity for disability matters is welcome. This includes students without medically diagnosed disabilities and so-called ‘allies’.

ASP closely collaborates with Fenestra Disability Centre and the Diversity & Inclusion Expertise Office in giving (un)solicited advice to among others the Executive Board. In doing so ASP focuses on ensuring equitable treatment of students with a disability. Furthermore, ASP has an active role in policy and implementation relating to disability and accessibility matters.

Fenestra Disability Centre advises and supports Leiden University’s students with a disability. Concerning questions about and requests for practical help and facilities, students are encouraged to contact Fenestra.