Disability Strategy
The University acknowledges and supports the social model of disability in which disabled people are seen to be disadvantaged by social barriers which are imposed in addition to their impairments. These barriers include the design of the environment, methods of information provision, institutional practices and the attitudes of others in society. The University further recognises the right of disabled students, staff and visitors to hold alternative views about their impairment and to make a personal definition of their own situation.
The university will continue to:
- welcome applications from disabled students, and seek to increase their representation within the student body. Decisions on admissions will be made primarily on academic grounds;
- follow the good practice of the Department of Work and Pension’s Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People scheme , publicising the Access to Work scheme and seeking to improve working conditions and the possibility of career progression for disabled staff;
- embed accessibility in all refurbishment and new-build projects and review the state of our buildings and environment to ensure a regular cycle of access improvements;
- ensure the information we distribute is accessible to all users.
We will continue to involve disabled staff and students by:
- resourcing the Disabled Staff Forum to help identify issues of concern and prioritise action;
- analysing staff surveys and data on recruitment and career progression to identify where there may be barriers for disabled staff;
- involving disabled students through representation at the Disability Network, Access Working Group and Library Users’ Forum and by liaising with the Students’ Union Education, Welfare and Disability Officer who holds a Disabled Students’ Forum and represents them at the University Equality and Diversity Committee and Student Support and Welfare Policy Committee;
- ensuring that the Disability Service conducts an annual survey of users about its own provision.
Policies, procedures and guidance
- Disabled People in Employment Guide (2007)
- University Disability Policy
- Dyslexia in Higher Education
- Guidance for Staff Teaching disabled and dyslexic students
- Advice on Marking the Work of Dyslexic Students: Guidance for Good Practice
- Finding out about students' disabilities
- Producing Materials in Alternative Format
Access to work
See Disabled applicants section in Recruitment Guidelines- Access to Work - funding and services for new and existing staff with a disability
- Access to Work website
- Access to Work Presentation November 2008
Best practice for managers
Disabled Staff Forum
The Disabled Staff Forum seeks to better understand and address the needs of staff with disabilities. A lively agenda is developing and new and existing members are always welcome. Membership is not limited to disabled staff as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
For further information contact Rob Kemp, Human Resources.
Archive
Policies and procedures
- Disability Equality Scheme 2006 - 2009
- Disability Equality Action Plan 2006-2009
- Disabled People in Employment Guide (2005)
- Disability Equality Action Plan 2008-2009