Dear Colleagues,

The deadline for questionnaire responses for this research is Friday 17 December 2010. We are very keen to hear from a wide range of disabled staff members working in and employment by higher education institutions in the UK. Please forward this reminder to your colleagues and networks, and if you work in a HEI please send on to all staff  – not only those who have declared that they are disabled.

Many thanks in advance for your support.

Kind regards,

ECU, The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, NIACE and De Montfort University

Kate Byford
Senior Policy Adviser
Equality Challenge Unit

Tel:           020 7438 1020
Email:      [log in to unmask]

_____________________________________________

Dear Colleague,

NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) and De Montfort University are carrying out research into the experiences of disabled staff working in and employed by higher education (HE) institutions in the UK.

The research is funded by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) and the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education. The overall aim is to identify effective practices to develop more inclusive working environments for disabled staff to improve career development and equal opportunities. At the end of the research we will produce a report and guidance for HE institutions on improving practice to further disability equality.

If you are a disabled staff member in HE, we would like to ask you to take part in the research by completing an online questionnaire at http://guest.cvent.com/d/cdq5xq. This may take approximately 30 minutes. You do not have to complete all questions - no questions are compulsory.

Alternatively, you can complete a word version of the questionnaire or take part in a telephone interview. You may also be able to take part in a focus group or submit evidence in another way. To find out more and to take part visit http://www.niace.org.uk/current-work/enabling-equality.

We are also keen to hear from Human Resources departments in HE. To find out more visit the website link above.

The closing date for taking part is Friday 17 December 2010.

We would be grateful if you could forward this email to your colleagues and networks.

Kind regards,

ECU, The Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, NIACE and De Montfort University

____________________________________________________

Who do we want to hear from?  How do we define ‘disabled person’?

We want to hear from ‘disabled’ staff, working at all levels and in all roles in HE institutions in the UK and employed directly by them. Unfortunately, we cannot accept responses from staff employed by other agencies.

The term ‘disability’ can be complex and difficult to identify with. We recognise that whilst you may have an impairment, health condition or learning difference as defined by the Equality Act 2010, you may not think of yourself as a disabled person.  The Equality Act 2010 says someone is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This includes people with: -

We recognise impairments and conditions can fluctuate, so we would like to hear from anyone who experiences or has experienced these in the past.

This research is based upon the social model of disability. The social model of disability identifies the barriers created by society, organisations and businesses that prevent individuals from participating fully.