Disabled Staff Network

Representatives:

Know your disabled staff network representatives Megan and Julian.

 

Image of Jim Davis Disabled Staff Network representative 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.J.Gwinnett@wlv.ac.uk 

I have experience of a physical disability, sensory impairment, and a long-term medical condition – all of which contribute towards my health and wellbeing. Yet the ‘disability’ which causes me the most consternation, the thing above all others by which I am ‘othered’, is something I don’t consider to be a disability – far from it! Neurodivergence has been described as ‘a beautiful curse’ something that resonates strongly with my own experience. As it’s a hard to comprehend why what, in your mind, makes you unique is the same thing that impedes your relationships with others. Leading to an increased sense of isolation and marginalisation form the rest of the world. 

I never imagined that something I had no control over (how my brain is wired), would be such a dominant feature of how I’m perceived and valued by society at large. Or equally how challenging misassumptions about neurodivergence would define my own life to the extent that it has. This, in turn, has imbued a passion for fairness and justice borne of witnessing the manifold injustices metered out to others whose voice has so often been denied them. 

Consequently, I would like to contribute, in whatever way possible, towards creating an environment for university staff whereby they feel confident to disclose their disability without fear of suiciding their careers. Moreover, I feel that we need to foster a culture of inclusivity – more so than ever – within our own institution. One where we can see beyond a person’s ‘disability’ and see both their potential (that is often overlooked) and the value of their experience, as a disabled person, in challenging the many misconceptions and prejudices that foreshadow disability awareness. As well as creating a workplace environment in which everybody feels valued.

Megan Lawton Disabled Staff Network Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.J.Lawton@wlv.ac.uk

I am Professor of Learning and Teaching in Academic Practice in the College of Learning and Teaching. I am dyslexic and have always struggled with a traditional education system that created barriers for me. However, this made me who I am today, giving me a passion to challenge traditional approaches to learning and teaching making me curious about how things could be done differently.  I have a varied background including setting up the Communication Support Unit for D/deaf students, the BA (Hons) Deaf Studies and Interpreting British Sign language/English degree programmes.  Key themes of inclusivity, innovation and creativity and technology supported learning emerge throughout my career. I have published on visual research methodology, flipped learning, patchwork assessment, developmental mentoring and transnational education (TNE).  I am a National Teaching Fellow and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  I have experience of working across the university in all sorts of committees and I am not shy about speaking out. As co-chair of the disabled staff network I hate the question “do you consider yourself disabled’, as I personally do not but acknowledge that I can be disadvantaged by a society that excludes me or does not recognise my abilities.

 

 

Network Purpose

  • To promote improved working conditions for disabled staff at the University.
  • To share good practice in recruiting and supporting disabled staff.
  • To act as an engagement and consultation forum.

Who can take part?

If you are a member of University of Wolverhampton staff you are welcome to get involved in this group if you identify with any of the following;

  • you consider yourself to be disabled or D/deaf;
  • you have an unseen medical condition such as epilepsy, HIV or multiple sclerosis;
  • you have a physical or sensory impairment / medical condition;
  • you have specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia;
  • you have mental health difficulties such as depression;
  • you have a temporary injury;
  • you have or had an illness that may reoccur such as cancer;
  • you have a cognitive impairment such as autistic spectrum disorders;
  • you have more than one medical condition and/or a condition that fluctuates.

For an informal discussion or to be added to our confidential e-mail distribution list, please contact Professor Megan Lawton M.J.Lawton@wlv.ac.uk.

Action Framework for Disability Equality 

The Disabled Staff Network has been working on developing a new framework for investigating how disability impacts the work experience at the University. Inspired by Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, the Action Framework for Disability Equality, sets out an eighteen month plan to discover what barriers our disabled staff face and put in place actions to remove them. We are looking for eight staff members to sit on the new self-assessment team, which will begin meeting on a regular basis in the new academic year. 

For more information about the Action Framework for Disability Equality please read the action framework for disability equality (Word doc 35k)

Guide for Disabled Staff 

The Disabled Staff Network has recently work with Human Resources to develop a guide for disabled staff about how they can access support at different stages of the employment lifecycle.

I have been offered a job at the University of Wolverhampton and I am due to start in the next couple of months

I work at the University and I have recently been diagnosed with a disability.

My work role has changed and I now find that my disability needs are different

I am a member of staff, I have a temporary disability that impacts on my work and I am likely to have increased medical appointments

I am an existing member of staff with an existing disability, however my disability related reasonable adjustments have changed.

Appendix A: Access to Work Support for Staff

Alternatively, you can also read the full guide as a PDF by clicking Guide for Disabled Staff.