Hi
As I understand it, since gender dysphoria is listed in places like the
International Classification of Diseases (ICD, we are up to edition 10 last
time I looked) and medical / surgical treatments are offered to address it,
then it could possibly meet the criteria for disability - though as I
understand it, that has yet to be tested in court. Plus the treatment
options sometimes have consequences (e.g. raised stroke risk from hormones)
which can create a disability dimension. Therefore I think one could argue
for picking up transgender issues within the activities of the Disability
Service. I have experience of doing so, but it was prior to the current
regulations on transgender.
My understanding is that institutions are not permitted to treat people as
gender neutral, so the institutional position should be that the person uses
the facilities appropriate to their current gender role, although the person
might choose to use an accessible WC / bathroom if they wished (I would
never suggest it, but would also not discourage if that was their choice).
I don't think it would be reasonable to expect that an institution would
offer gender-neutral accommodation (except in that these days most accomm is
mixed gender, so in one sense it is neutral!) because the number of
applicants for that would be so small.
However if someone wanted to apply for a self-contained flat, as opposed to
a room on a corridor in halls, so as to avoid any potential complications
from shared living spaces, then I think one could support that. e.g. I
might (if they chose to make a DSA application), write to their funding body
in support of the suggestion that the funding body cover the difference in
cost of accomm (since a self contained flat is dearer than a basic room) -
there is a potential parallel with those who need en suite accommodation
because of hidden medical conditions.
regards, Deb
Deb Viney
Diversity Advisor, SOAS
Email [log in to unmask]
Tel 0207 898 4957
-----Original Message-----
From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katja Riek
Sent: 23 July 2008 11:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: transgender questions
Dear all,
Just had an enquiry asking whether we offer specific student accommodation
for transgender people and gender-neutral bathrooms.
We currently don't provide the former and could only offer disabled
facilities re the latter.
Does anyone have experience of offering either?
Would it be deemed reasonable to do so?
We consider transgender issues as an equal opps issue but not a disability
issue. Something the person contacting us found surprising, too.
Best wishes,
Katja
This e-mail and any attachments is intended for the above named only, and
may contain privileged or confidential information. If you are not the
intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or reliance upon
the e-mail is prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended
recipient, please destroy all copies and inform the sender by return e-mail.
While RSAMD checks emails for known viruses, please note that neither RSAMD
nor the sender accepts any liability for viruses or other defects and it is
your responsibility to scan any attachments included with this e-mail.
|