When I came to UWA, I was filled with uncertainty. The common unknowns of starting a new chapter in life were all present, but I was additionally worried about how the challenges I faced dealing with an autoimmune condition would translate into university life. In the years since, I am grateful to have been so earnestly supported by a university community which allowed me to participate meaningfully in university life.
The Access department occupies a unique position in the Guild, one which my perception of has changed during my time as treasurer and deputy of the department. I came to understand the role Access plays as a careful balancing act. Consistent advocacy for students with disabilities and carers is paramount, particularly when institutional barriers limit their ability to participate in university life, however where Access becomes so important is its ability to step back. By empowering students to be themselves, rather than being overbearing, the Access department allows for UWA to be a safe space for students with all types of disabilities to be themselves first and foremost, letting them try and fail, with the knowledge that when things get tough there is a community which will fight for them and respect who they are.
I bring experience to the role both through my previous positions at the Access department, and from involvement in the exec of other Guild affiliated clubs. I am experienced in event planning in line with guild regulations, public speaking, and financial management. If elected as Access Officer, I will use that experience to ensure that the department remains both visible and approachable by continuing successful events, such as public speaking workshops, visiting guide dogs, and hosting forums with the disability and shadow disability ministers. I also plan to expand Access’s outreach with a new awareness campaign, engage with career fairs on campus, and hold fundraising events for local charities improving the lives of people with disabilities.
As Access Officer, I will prioritise listening, as I believe that is where all great advocacy begins. I will continue the work the department does to advocate for students with disabilities and continue to create opportunities for those students to shape the priorities of the department and how representation is shown on campus.
Ultimately, I want to be Access Officer because I want to contribute to that same sense of community and belonging that made the nervous, uncertain fresher I once was feel ok, feel advocated for, and feel like that they belonged in a community of students who cared.
By you, for you.
Hi everyone, I’m Gibran and I am running to be your Access Officer for 2027.
As I approach my final year, I have been contemplating on what I want to leave behind, how I can give back to a community that has been such a significant part of my university experience. Funnily enough, the answer lies close to home.
I was diagnosed with ADHD. Although it has given me the access to the lovely sensory rooms, if I can choose, I would choose not to have ADHD. But I’m still fortunate. I have known people, both here and back home, who face challenges far greater than my own. From mental health challenges and learning difficulties to physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Accessibility issues also affect the families and carers who support them. I have watched my grandma care for my special-need aunt, even now at 86 years old. We do not have the same access to support and resources back home.
This is why I’m running to be your Access Officer. I believe in the Access Department’s purpose, and I want to represent students with diverse needs while helping build a community where they feel belong. I may not be part of the Access Committee this year and there will be a lot of things to learn. However, I’m a quick learner, and I’ve always been committed to give my all to every responsibility entrusted in me.
Over the past two years, I have gained experience engaging with different stakeholders through various projects, from regional CRC managers during my DPIRD internship, to Ruah Community Services staff, when I researched digital access barriers faced by older women experiencing homelessness. If elected, the first thing I do will be to engage with the Access Department's stakeholders and learn from the existing committee and my predecessors. I want to build on their work and make sure that my work reflects the needs of the students I represent.
I’ll be honest, I don’t personally know all the voters, you—the readers. But through my time in several associations, I realised that you don’t have to know someone personally to represent them. To me, shared cultures, mottos, beliefs, and even minor shared experiences are what create a sense of representation.
My life motto is to always leave an impact everywhere I go, as I see that what makes you valuable isn’t what you have, but the impact you have on others. This is why I decided to run in the first place. It’s a nice feeling to have someone that you feel represents you, and I would be honoured to be that person. I’m not here just because I have ADHD, I’m here because I want to leave an impact on you, as well as the broader student community.
We won’t share all the same ideas, vibes, or beliefs, because we are different people. But I will try my very best to voice your thoughts, share your experiences, and represent your perspective.
