Today, 3 December, marks the official launch of the UoS Disability Staff Network and the annual celebration of people with disabilities – International Day of People with Disabilities.
Formed in 2020 for staff and PGRs who identify as having a disability, the UoS Disability Staff Network aims to “promote a work environment in which staff with disabilities are supported and valued, enabling them to fulfil their potential and contribute fully to the benefit of the University.”
The UoS Disability Staff Network will focus on –
- Providing peer support to staff with disability
- Providing a safe and supportive environment and networking opportunities to discuss issues relating to disability matters including an insight into the experiences of University staff and students.
- Promote positive attitudes towards staff with disabilities and raise awareness of Disability Equality
- Giving a voice to staff with disabilities by enabling dialogue with all levels of the University.
- Contribute to policy development and review by providing structured and informed feedback.
- Contributing suggestions and recommendations to the University’s equality action plans including the Disability Equality Action Plan.
“The WHO estimate that around 15% of the world live with a disability, meaning a significant number of staff across the university will. Launching the network provides an exciting opportunity to bring together these staff to share, support each other, and work to improve inclusivity across the university” Libby Barton, Chair of the UoS Disability Staff Network.
If you would like to find out more or join the UoS Disability staff network then visit the SharePoint site or email the network via [email protected] or the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team on [email protected].
The focus for the day for 2020 is ‘Not all disabilities are visible’ covering a wide range of disabilities including learning difficulties, neurological disorders, brain injuries, chronic pain or fatigue. Highlighting these less apparent disabilities aims to increase awareness and promote inclusivity.
Some useful information of support provided both by the University and externally:
- Our disability information page
- Reasonable Adjustment
- Health and Wellbeing SharePoint
- SUSU neurodiversity and disability society
- Disability support pages
- Information for Undergraduates (Medicine)
- Government website for disability facts and figures
- Government website – Disability rights: employment
- WHO disability facts page
We are an accredited Disability Confident Leader.