Going through the motions
The second dispatch from our man at the NUS SWD conference in Blackpool.
Training consisted of a mock motion about carrot and mushroom soup: an issue close to the heart of many a student. Thanks in part to Parcelforce and general bad organisation, we ran late all day.
The conference room itself was far too warm; even the most exciting motions could not have prevented delegates from feeling sleepy.
So far five of the twelve motions have been dealt with and all have passed. First was a motion on combating "disabalism", a word which the motion admits cannot be found in the dictionary. Conference resolved to embark upon a postcard campaign to raise awareness of the issue.
A proposal to swap the term "Students With Disabilities" with "Disabled Students" failed.
Conference also backed the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, and re-stated the NUS's criticism of the draft Mental Health Bill. A lobby of Parliament will be held. More controversially, it also supported stem cell research.
Finally, it was critical of the way in which many disabled students (or students with disabilities) are unable to take part in some student activities. Conference resolved that the SWD campaign would produce a briefing on the issue and further encourage SWD involvement in activities within unions.
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