Disability

It is unlawful to discriminate against disabled people, and since 2006 the legislation has required public bodies, including higher education institutions, to actively promote equality of opportunity for disabled people.

We are committed to the Social Model of Disability and recognise that the removal of the physical, emotional, social and attitudinal barriers that disable our students, staff and visitors is essential to progressing equality for disabled people.

The legislation includes a requirement to make reasonable adjustments if a disabled person would otherwise be placed at a substantial disadvantage.  For students reasonable adjustments should be anticipatory.

The law around disability discrimination has been strengthened and extended by the Equality Act which came into force in October 2010. For changes to the legislation please see the briefing below:

• Disability Legislation Briefing (DOCX, file size: 18.29KB) (available on-campus only)

Our Single Equality Scheme (PDF, file size: 471.81KB) shows how we intend to promote disability equality. We monitor disability and report annually on progress in our Diversity Annual Report.

Information on disability equality and your rights and responsibilities under the legislation can be found in our leaflet:

• What You Need To Know About Disability Equality (DOC, file size: 76KB) (available on-campus only)

The UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People establishes internationally recognised benchmarks for disabled people's rights in all areas of life. The UK government ratified the Convention in July 2009.

The University actively seeks to involve and engage disabled people and has a number of platforms to do this:

Inclusive Practice Forum

The role of the Forum is to monitor the University's progress towards developing inclusive practice and culture with specific reference to the experiences of disabled students. It is attended by the faculty and school disability coordinators, Students' Union representatives, other service representatives and members of the Disabled Students' Engagement Group. For more information contact the Head of Student Enabling Centre, Dave Allman.

Disabled Students' Engagement Group

This Group welcomes the involvement of all disabled students, and is important in highlighting where the University can improve its practice. The group works with the Students' Union, and disabled students are represented on faculty staff/student groups. For more information contact the Head of Student Enabling Centre, Dave Allman.

Disabled Staff Forum

This is open to all disabled staff and those staff with a particular interest in furthering disability equality in the workplace. The Forum plays an important role in developing more inclusive practices. For more information contact Equalilty and Diversity Manager Clare Ridgley.

Other engagement

• Developing Inclusive Culture in HE (HEA) - The University is currently one of 15 institutions taking part in this project looking at inclusive learning, teaching and assessment. For more information contact Dave Allman.

• Furthering the involvement of Disabled Students in HE (ECU/HEA)

• We maintain active partnerships with local and national groups that represent disabled people. 

This is an online guide giving details about access to Staffordshire University's buildings and venues. The guide has been produced by award winning organisation Disabled Go, and is extremely detailed. It is aimed at empowering disabled people to make their own informed decisions based on their own access requirements. Vacancies at the University are also being advertised on the Disabled Go website.

• Disabled Go! - Staffordshire University

• Disabled Go! - Stoke-on-Trent City Council

• Disabled Go! - East Staffordshire Borough Council

• Disabled Go! - Stoke-on-Trent College

Support for disabled students - The Student Enabling Centres aim to ensure that individual needs are met before starting a course, during a course of study and after graduation. A range of services are on offer including screening for dyslexia and support for mental wellbeing.

Careers -  The Careers Centre offers a comprehensive service to disabled students looking for work.  Access to Work is a government scheme run by JobCentre Plus to help with the costs of reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Assistive Technology -The Student Enabling Centre works closely with Information Services who provide a range of services, equipment and support for disabled students. Training for enabling technology is also available, telephone 01782 294977 or email disability@staffs.ac.uk.

Faculty and School Disability Coordinators -

• AMD - Liz Allen

• Business School - Judy Rimmer

• FCET - Robert Round

• Faculty of Health - Rosemary Shepherd

• Law School - Elizabeth Gillow

• Faculty of Sciences - Dave Skingsley

For information on funding and DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) visit Direct.Gov

General support for disabled staff - You should initially talk to your line manager concerning any support needs you may have or adjustments that need to be made. Personnel Services and Occupational Health may also be involved in advising and supporting you. Staff can also contact the Equality & Diversity Team about disability issues.

Access to Work - This is a Government Scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and employers, Jobcentre Plus pays a grant towards any extra employment costs that result from a person's disability.  Personnel Services will help with applications for reasonable adjustments through Access to Work.

Assistive Technology - Support for assistive technology and software is available through Information Services, or call 3800. They also have equipment for loan.

Flexible Working - If you think working more flexibly will help you manage your disability, or help you if you are caring for a disabled child or adult, please talk to your line manager or contact Personnel Services.

Employee Assistance Programme - A free and confidential helpline for all employees of the University run by Right Corecare.   Advice and support on any topic of concern.  Helpline 0800 181 392  or email corecare@right.com 

You can also download the information above as a Word Document:

• Support for Disabled Staff at Staffordshire University (DOC, file size: 31.5KB)

Students who are carers should talk to their personal tutor, Faculty Guidance Advisor, the Student Office or the Students' Union for advice and support.

Staff who are carers should talk to their line manager, Personnel Services or our EAP for advice and support.  

Sources of support of carers:

• Carers UK

• Carers Direct - information, advice and support for carers from the NHS 

• Carers Association South Staffordshire - Tel: 01785 606675

• Carers Association North Staffordshire - Tel: 01782 834836

• Employers for Carers

• Changing Places - There are currently Changing Places toilets in the Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley and in the main library in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

Guidance for academic staff working with disabled students both within the University and at SURF colleges, and also general information and resources to help staff make teaching, learning and assessment more inclusive and accessible, is available on our webpage - Inclusive Curriculum.

Organisations giving general advice and support

• DisabledGo! - access information; surveys of hundreds of venues including Staffordshire University; Also employment opportunities

• The Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning is investigating the experiences of disabled staff in the post 16 education sector. 

• The Employers' Forum on Disability is an employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business and aiming to make it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers.   

• Action On Access - helpdesk help@actiononaccess.org Tel: 01695 650870

• ODI (Office for Disability Issues)

• Ouch! BBC website and discussion forum

• Direct.gov - information on disability issues 

• Financial information for disabled students

• Disability Solutions - voluntary organisation based in Hanley; information for those living in North Staffordshire on disability issues.

• Disability in Europe - Academic Network of European Disability

• LGBT and disabled? Email lbgt-disability@disability-solutions.net, or telephone 01782 202611

• Disability Alliance

• ODI: Disability Equality Indicators - measuring progess towards disability equality

• Stafford and District Access Group - working towards improved access in the Borough of Stafford

• Changing Places - There are currently Changing Places toilets in the Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley and in the main library in Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

Advice and support on specific areas of disability

Autism and Aspergers's Syndrome:

• National Autistic Society - general information on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and information on the Adult Autism strategy and the autism Act 2009

• Jigsaw Group Staffordshire - for people with Asperger's and their families

• Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS)

• Lifeworks Staffordshire - supports High-Functioning individuals with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC), aged 14 plus.  Contact: Bryant House, Silverdale Road, Wolstanton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. ST5 8BQ. Tel: 01782 615222; Email: lifeworks1@btconnect.com

Dyslexia: 

• Beating Dyslexia

• British Dyslexia Association

Epilepsy:

• Epilepsy Action West Midlands Forum

Mental Health:

• Changes - based in Stoke for people experiencing mental distress

• MIND (National Association for Mental Health)

• Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline - Free and confidential; supporting and promoting emotional and mental wellbeing across Staffordshire Tel: 0808 800 2234

• Staffordshire Mental Health - local information on mental health issues 

• Shift - Mental health issues at work

• Students Against Depression - support for students with depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts

• Time to Change

• Muslim Youth Helpline - registered charity providing culturally sensitive services to Muslim youth in the UK

• Chinese Mental Health Association - specialises in providing community based mental health assistance and support to the Chinese community in the United Kingdom 

Sensory Impairment:

• RNID (Royal National Institute for the Deaf)

• RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind)

• Don't lose the Music - awareness about learning loss through concerts, gigs and mp3 players.

• Signstation - BSL and Deaf awareness; BSL demonstrated

• CHESS: The Consortium of Higher Education Support Services with Deaf Students - the Consortium aims to increase choice, access and quality of provision for deaf and hard of hearing students entering and undergoing Higher Education

• Art Signs - the online BSL/English glossary for art and design

• Induction (Hearing loops) (DOC, file size: 670.5KB) - availability at the University and booking details
• Accessible Events: A Good Practice Guide for Staff Organising Events in HE (JISC TechDis) (PDF, file size: 138.18KB)
• AbilityNet - My Computer, My Way - national charity helping disabled people to use computers and the internet by adopting and adjusting their technology.
• BBC - My Web, My Way - making the web easier to use

Below is a list of accessibility guides which are available from the JISC TechDis website, please follow the link to view them: JISC TechDis Accessibility Essentials

• Accessibility Essentials 1: Making Electronic Documents More Readable

• Accessibility Essentials 2: Writing Accessible Electronic Documents with Microsoft Word

• Accessibility Essentials 3: Creating Accessible Presentations 

• Accessibility Essentials 4: Making the Most of PDFs 

The law defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes are covered, as are fluctuating or progressive conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or motor neurone disease. Mental impairment includes mental health conditions such as bipolar or depression, learning difficulties such as dyslexia and autism. Cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/Aids are covered, as well as severe disfigurement.