Disabled student felt discriminated against after access to lifts and bathrooms blocked in Simon Building occupation

Simon Building occupiers described their experience with campus security as “humiliating and discriminatory” after a disabled student was locked out from lifts and bathrooms.

On the evening of the 26 March, campus security placed a bike lock on the doors connecting Simon Building rooms 3.44A and 3.44B to the rest of the third floor.

Due to the floor layout, students with accessibility needs could not access the lifts. Additionally, the women’s toilets on that floor were also blocked off.

A space that the protestors designated for women's prayer was also on the other side of the locked door and was in use by protestors when the door was locked.

The Mancunion witnessed the lock on-site and some interactions between campus security and occupiers. 

We were informed that various members of the group had raised health and safety concerns with security staff.

When talking to a student involved in the occupation who wished to remain anonymous, they explained that they had been told that any time they needed to use the bathroom they would have to ask security staff to unlock the door.

When questioned on their accessible exit route in the case of an emergency, they informed The Mancunion that security staff had suggested that they would come up the stairs and unlock the doors in case of an emergency. 

Campus security explained that they had to get a confirmation from the Student Leadership Team (SLT) for the bike lock to be removed permanently.

When occupiers repeatedly asked for the lock to be removed for the safety of disabled students, one security staff member repeated “I’m not telling them [SLT] anything, I’ll ask them”.

After a disabled protestor explained they needed to use the toilet, security unlocked the door. Once unlocked, protestors sat on chairs in the doorway to stop security from locking them again.

At the same time, members of the security team unlocked the disabled toilet, which is in the same area as rooms 3.44A and B before leaving the floor to talk to the student leadership team about re-locking the doors.

The Mancunion spoke to a student impacted by the door lock. The student said that security initially ignored them: “I was talking at them and they had their backs to us. They weren’t responding.”

Once security did engage, the student felt that they were being “patronising and dismissive”.

They said: “It took them several minutes to respond, and their argument when I was saying that they need to leave that door unlocked, is that they could just come up the stairs and unlock it”.

“That was their same argument as well, that if there was a fire, or if we had to leave the building, that I could wait up here for them to come and unlock the doors”.

After removing the lock from the door on the third floor, where the occupiers are based, security restricted access across the other building floors with bike locks. 

Much of the third floor was locked, but security informed us that they had ensured there were 3 fire exits accessible to occupiers. 

When approached by The Mancunion, a University spokesperson said:  

“Our primary concern is the health and safety of those people who are currently occupying the Simon Building.”

“Campus support and security staff are on site constantly to ensure safety. We have notified the group to use particular routes of exit when required and have ensured they are accessible. We are also continuing to emphasise our concerns for their safety in the event of an emergency incident.”

“The normal working of the University is continuing. and we are monitoring the situation carefully.” 

After being contacted about the incident, the Students' Union executive team said:

“The Students’ Union is deeply concerned by the use of bike locks in the Simon Building, which left a disabled student without access to essential facilities — a situation that should never have happened. Once made aware, SU Officers escalated the issue to the University’s Senior Leadership Team, resulting in the locks being removed, but the need for that escalation in itself is problematic. We’re in regular contact with the occupiers and other concerned students, representing their interests directly to the University and continuing to prioritise their wellbeing. We’re also urging the University to engage meaningfully with the protesters’ demands to resolve this situation safely and without further harm.”

 The occupation of the Simon Building ended Friday 28 March.