The DIG would like to thank Emma Simblett, School Learning & Teaching Assistant for PS Mathematics, Statistics & Physics, for her hard work and contribution to the group, while she is taking a break from committee membership.
Thank you Emma!
NU DIG Wellbeing Survey
The NU DIG Wellbeing Survey is now open!
This short survey is open to all Newcastle University staff and students – it takes ~3 mins to complete and all answers are anonymous.
NU DIG wants to capture current experiences in the context of chronic health, mental health, disability and wellbeing. Specifically to identify barriers to sharing information about a disability, chonic health or mental health condition with the University; providing or receiveing reasonable adjustments; and experiences of ableism/disability discrimination in the organisation. The results of this survey will be used by the NU DIG committee to:
- identify gaps and strengths in existing University practices,
- inform policy and processes to develop an inclusive working and learning environment
- provide our network with evidence to lobby for change in the University
Please circulate amongst colleagues and students. If you have any enquiries or comments about the survey please contact the committee contact.dig@newcastle.ac.uk
2nd-6th december 2019: inclusive sport week
NUSU are holding an Inclusive Sport Week campaign for NU staff and students. This is to promote disability and inclusive sport on campus and celebrate that sport is for everyone! Through the week there will be:
- Casual sport sessions taking place in Boccia, Goalball, Sitting Volleyball and Visually Impaired Cricket.
- Sessions from the Activity Alliance to teach our clubs how to provide inclusive training sessions for those with additional needs.
- A talk on mental health in sport from Clarke and Carrie Carlisle.
- Posters celebrating the diversity of our student athletes and much more!
Sign up for sessions on the NUSU website (NU Staff will first need to register an NUSU guest account).
The 3rd of December is the UN International Day for People with Disabilities. Throughout the week we will be promoting a number of events celebrating disability inclusivity.
SENSUS ACCESS: CONVERTING DOCUMENTS TO ACCESSIBLE FORMATS
Do you want to convert documents into formats that work best for you?
Newcastle University is running a pilot with SensusAccess, a self- service system which automatically converts documents into alternate formats. You can:
- Convert PDFs, JPEGs and other files into an e-book, text file, audio or braille.
- Combine more than one .JPG into a single file.
The uploaded document is automatically deleted after being converted. No uploaded or converted documents are stored by SensusAccess
Converting a document is achieved in four easy steps and full details, including the conditions of use and step by step instructions, can all be found on the ASK website.
As this is a pilot, The Learning and Teaching Development Service (LTDS) are keen to hear your views.
If staff would like to feedback experiences or need any further information, please email ltds@ncl.ac.uk
Students can contact disabilityadvisor@ncl.ac.uk if they’d like to provide feedback.
Accessible Toon?
Elaine Smith, a member of the DIG committee, has created a Google map showing a selection of some of the more wheelchair accessible pubs and restaurants in Central Newcastle.
You can find the map here.
You may also be interested in AccessAble, a website (also available as an app) covering venues across the UK and Ireland, including shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, railway stations, hotels, colleges, universities, hospitals and more.
Use AccessAble to find wheelchair friendly venues or check out disabled access and facilities.
2nd December 2019: Francesca Martinez – The Beauty of Diversity
Join us for an engaging and entertaining talk with Q & A by Francesca Martinez as part of the NU DIG celebration of diversity for International Day of People with Disabilities. Francesca is a wobbly comedian, writer, speaker and activist (she has mild cerebral palsy, but much prefers the word ‘wobbly’). She has guested on Channel 4 News, BBC2’s Newsnight, BBC1’s Today’s Politics, and was voted most popular guest on BBC3’s Free Speech. Her recent debut on BBC1’s Question Time was described as the show’s “best ever moment” and went viral with 11 million views in the first week alone.
This event is free and open to all Newcastle University staff and students, spaces are limited. Registration required by 27th November 2019
Staff registration link via the staff homepage (staff login required)
Student registration link can be found on the student homepage or via NU Disability and Neurodiversity Society
The 3rd of December is the UN International Day for People with Disabilities. Throughout the week we will be promoting a number of events celebrating disability inclusivity.
10th October 2019: World Mental Health Day
World mental health day is on the 10th October 2019. Campus activities are being co-ordinated by OHSS for the whole week.
DIG chair Dr Becca Wilson will be delivering coffee break talk at about the work DIG has been doing to develop and promote a disability inclusive culture at the University.
8th October, King’s Gate Level 1, Room 1.26, 10.30am-11.30am
Coffe, Tea and cake will be provided.
See the full programme of events for World Mental Health Day 2019.
Better EDI Allies
DIG Chair Dr Becca Wilson and HaSS EDI Officer Kelechi Dibbie were recently invited as panel speakers at the British Science Association and BIG STEM Communicators Network workshop “What can we do to be better equality, diversity and inclusion allies?” held 17th July 2019 in Edinburgh. Continue reading Better EDI Allies