December 3rd 2023 marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This date is celebrated annually, serving as a reminder of the need to promote both an understanding and awareness around disability issues and the well-being of persons with disabilities.
This month we caught up with Newcastle University’s Disability Interest Group (DIG) to find out more about disability inclusion in academic life.
What is Disability?
Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has substantial, long-term (at least 12 months) adverse effects on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The scope of disability is wide and can change with time. Disability examples include: neurodiversities (e.g. autism, dyslexia); mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety) and; physical health conditions (e.g. sight loss/vision impairment, chronic fatigue syndrome). Many disabilities are not visible.
Law Around Reasonable Adjustment
The Equality Act 2010 outlines when someone is considered to be disabled and therefore protected from discrimination. It stipulates the ‘reasonable adjustments’ (e.g. policy changes, working practices, physical layout alterations or provision of additional equipment) that employers are required to make (and pay for) to ensure that people with disabilities are supported in their workplace. Failure of the employer to comply to the Act is a considered a form of discrimination.
Any adjustments which will benefit all individuals, not just those persons with disabilities, should always be advocated for. For example, clear signage in university building and provision of meeting agendas well in advance benefits everyone.
Work based adjustments are available for both PGR students and staff members.
Employee Entitlements & Further Resources
To find out more and to check what support you may be entitled to, the following resources may help:
- NU Disability Interest Group
- Protected characteristic (disability) section and accessibility guide on the EDI Toolkit
- Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Reasonable adjustments duty
- Workplace adjustments
- How to make your research group more accessible
- How to support disabled staff to thrive
- Bringing visibility to invisible disabilities
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Supportive Practice Tool | Learning and Teaching @ Newcastle | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk) (for colleagues supporting students)
- People Services – Colleague Supportive Practice Tool (sharepoint.com) (for colleagues hoping to support another colleague or themselves)
DIG are always open to expanding their network and welcome anyone wishing to join their community.
Finally, as we all gear up for the University’s closure over the festive period, one action we can all take regarding caring for our mental health is to encourage a healthy work/life balance. So, take a break, recharge, and come back afresh for 2024.
We look forwarding to welcoming you back in the New Year!