Essex Access Forum

The Essex Access Forum (EAF) is a University-wide community for anyone interested in improving access, disability inclusion and belonging at Essex. Since 2007, the Forum has brought students and staff together to share lived experience, raise issues, influence decisions and support better access across our campuses.

Who we are

EAF members come from across the University, and have diverse roles and experiences but share a common interest in access, disability and inclusion.

Whether you have lived experience of disability, support disabled students or staff, work in a role connected to accessibility, or simply want to help make Essex more inclusive, you are welcome to be part of the Forum. Membership is open to all students and staff, with disabled and non-disabled members all welcome.

EAF acts primarily as an email-based discussion, community and information-sharing network, although we also meet once per term and are represented on Project Steering Groups for major capital projects across the University.

What we do

The Forum brings together students and staff from across Essex to share experiences, raise issues, influence decision-making and help improve accessibility across the University.

We support access and inclusion at Essex by:

• creating a supportive community where members can share experiences, ideas and concerns
• promoting discussion, shared learning and greater understanding of accessibility and disability inclusion
• supporting a sense of belonging for disabled students, staff and visitors
• contributing to planning and problem-solving relating to the physical and digital environment
• supporting the development of policies, guidance and practical accessibility improvements
• helping ensure accessibility and inclusion are considered in major projects and decisions
• working closely with key University teams to ensure the voice and lived experience of our members helps inform positive change across Essex

Why join the Forum?

The Forum is primarily an email-based community, although we also meet once per term in a hybrid format.

You can be involved as much or as little as you like. Some members actively contribute to discussions, meetings and projects. Others join the mailing list simply to stay informed about access-related updates, such as lift maintenance, lifts being out of service, campus changes, events and opportunities to give feedback.

By joining, you help strengthen the collective voice for accessibility at Essex.

How to join

To join, simply add yourself to the Access Essex email subscription list. 

Volunteer with us

We are looking for volunteers to help support and shape the Forum. This could include helping with meetings, communications, engagement, events, gathering feedback, or developing ideas to improve access and inclusion at Essex.
You do not need to be an accessibility expert. We welcome people with lived experience, professional experience, student experience, or simply an interest in making Essex more accessible and inclusive.
If you are interested in helping, please email the Access Executive at access-exec@essex.ac.uk.

Forum meetings

Forum meetings are usually held once per term in a hybrid format. Details are shared through the mailing list.

Our next Essex Access Forum meeting will take place on: Tuesday 2 September 2026, 2pm – 3pm

Location: Lakeview Meeting Room, Colchester Campus

Members can also join remotely via Zoom (details shared through the mailing list).

Everyone with an interest in accessibility, disability inclusion and access at Essex is welcome to attend.

Find out more about access at Essex

• Campus access information for staff and students.
• AccessAble - our partner organisation for detailed information on campus venues.
• Essex Access Forum Terms of Reference (.pdf)