Let's Talk Disability

Featuring Kathy Bradley & Patrick Hackett

 Hosted by Professor Jackie Carter

In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Let’s Talk Disability, Professor Jackie Carter brings together two colleagues who know one another well and who each carry significant influence in shaping the University’s culture around disability. Kathy Bradley, EDI Partner and one of the University’s most dedicated disability advocates, joins Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, for a raw and insightful conversation about what it really means to live — and work — with disability at the University of Manchester.

Kathy opens with her signature candour, speaking about her multiple disabilities: ankylosing spondylitis, survivorship from two cancers, mental health challenges, and an ongoing ADHD assessment. She shares openly about the exhaustion of being both disabled and the person constantly reminding others to think about disabled people. She describes the emotional labour of always being “the voice in the room,” explaining the everyday realities of being an ambulatory wheelchair user, and the profound difference it makes when simple things — like accessible parking — are overlooked.

Her reflections are heartfelt, vulnerable and deeply instructive. She highlights how the burden of advocacy should not always fall on disabled staff, and how isolating it feels when others stay silent. Yet she also speaks passionately about her pride in the University, calling it the best place she has ever worked as a disabled person.

In response, Patrick Hackett listens with humility, warmth and genuine openness. He acknowledges the gaps, the pressure on disabled colleagues, and the need for senior leaders to think about disability more consciously and consistently. He shares how his architectural background shaped his early awareness of accessibility, and commits — with sincerity — to strengthening leadership accountability, embedding disability into strategic conversations, and championing inclusivity across Professional Services.

Together, Kathy and Patrick explore key themes including:

The tone of the conversation is candid, energising and, at times, emotionally charged — in the best possible way. Kathy articulates a vision for Manchester as a sector‑leading university for disabled staff and students, and Patrick responds with concrete commitments to bring disability inclusion onto the agenda of senior leadership teams and into performance objectives.

As with every episode in the series, it concludes with each guest making a pledge:

Patrick commits to embedding disability inclusion within team objectives and senior leadership priorities; Kathy highlights the need for leadership‑level advocacy to reduce the emotional toll on disabled staff who advocate tirelessly for themselves and others.

This episode is frank, moving and utterly galvanising — a must‑listen for anyone who wants to understand the lived experience behind policy, the emotional reality behind EDI work, and what genuine, compassionate leadership can look like.

Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter