East Midlands Weekend School

The group had already heard from speakers talking about the Disability Discrimination Act, the European perspective and the role of the learning rep. This was a good background to launch into a presentation of the project and a demonstration of the website.

Following a questions and answers session the group split into two workshops; one looking at their thoughts about the role of a Disability Champion, the other looking at things they would like to see included in a model disability policy.

Here are the bullet points of the workshop feedback.

What could a disability champion do?

• Let the workers know they are a Champion
• Special help to make sure everyone is equal
• Find information on adjustments
• Negotiate adjustments
• Ensure adjustments actually work
• Monitor degenerative conditions
• Health & Safety issues - access & egress
• Help people to retire when they want to and are not forced out of work
• Recognise each person as an individual
• Consider workers who are carers for disabled people in their families etc. (adjustments to work arrangements

What would you like to see in a disability policy?

• Access to job applications, internal and external
• Suitable insurance cover
• Employees in non unionised companies need support
• Anti discrimination
• Fire proofing - emergency egress
• Conduct a safety audit
• Adapting facilities - access and egress
• Quality Assurance - written procedures