The Staff Disability Network is a voluntary group that aims to be an inclusive network open to all staff members, not only those with a disability, but also those with caring responsibilities, staff with restrictive and/or long-term health conditions, and/or those with an interest in disability issues (professional or otherwise).
For more information on events, email disabilitynetwork@beds.ac.uk
The overall mission of the Staff Disability Network is to provide a network of mutual support and a collective voice for staff with disabilities, restrictive health conditions and caring responsibilities, so to support the development of a positive culture for such staff at the University of Bedfordshire. It's specific objectives are as follows:
We are organising a series of disability awareness and knowledge-building event for staff starting in September 2021 when staff have returned to campus.
These events involve an internal member of this Network or invited external person talking about their disability-related experiences for 20 minutes, followed by a 20-minute live Q&A session.
The aim is for University staff to hear about these experiences, be posed some reflective questions, and ultimately to become more aware, knowledgeable and sensitive to such issues.
We would welcome expressions of interest from any staff to present in future events.
If you are interested in joining us please email: sdncommittee@beds.ac.uk
Location: UoB, Postgraduate Centre, Park Square, Luton.
Date: Wednesday April 30th 2025 Time: 09:00 - 14:30 (Lunch provided)
Join us for a day filled with discussions, workshops, and activities focused on making our town more disability-friendly. Learn about the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in our community. Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about creating a more fair and equitable environment for all.
Whether you are a person with a disability, a caregiver, an advocate, or simply interested in shaping the future, this event is for you! Together, we can work towards building a town that is welcoming and supportive for everyone.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of positive change.
We expect this event to be over-subscribed, as such please limit attendance to two from your organisation.
Thank you everyone!
Best wishes,
Laurie Kirby (She/Her)
Fairness Taskforce Project Coordinator
Luton Council
An event to celebrate Neurodiversity week 17-23 March 2025
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by organisations around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences empower every individual.
The university will be celebrating neurodiversity week by hosting an event titled: Embracing Neurodiversity - A Conversation with Our Neurodivergent Colleagues.
The one hour session will give an overview of neurodiversity as a concept, and explore the experiences of neurodivergent colleagues, which can inform discussions around how to ensure we support all colleagues and students.
This event will take place on Wednesday 19 March 2025 from 14:00 -15:00.
The location is: Room L107 (In person) and Microsoft Teams (Online)
Everyone is welcome to attend and be part of this important conversation
From 14th November to 20th December 2024
Disability History month is focusing on 'Disability Livelihood and Employment'.
'Disability has been seen for many years as synonymous with non-employment or unemployment.
This of course is not true. Disabled people have always sought a means of surviving whether in begging, employment or on welfare or charity. Recently the number of disabled people in the UK workforce has increased'.
Read more about UK Disability History Month
On Tuesday 11th and Wednesday12th July 2023, joint sessions were held between the Staff Disability Network and the Staff LGBTQ Network. The session was hosted by Alex Baird and Cathal Butler. The session focused specifically on intersectionalities between Gender and Disability.
A major focus of the session was exploring the underdiagnosis of autism in females, and the possible reasons for this. There was a specific focus on research around Masking/Social Camouflaging, which is one of the reasons cited in research for late diagnosis.
This provided for some interesting discussion about the need to conform, and the potential impact this can have on the person. There was also exploration of the term neurodiversity, and research highlighting the greater fluidity in gender identity of neurodiverse individuals.
The participants questions and experiences provided for an enriching and positive experience, and greater understanding.
The staff disability network contributed to the 2023 UoB Health and Wellbeing Week. Members of our network and committee members made several presentations at this event.
Our first speaker was Emma Gill on Tuesday 24th February from 2.00pm - 3.00pm. Emma's talk was on:
Neurodiversity in the Workplace Lived Experience: Emma Gill talks about her lived experience and challenge living a neuro diverse condition and celebrates her unique learning differences, talents and strengths. Staff are invited to hear and learn so as to create a more inclusive, supportive and understanding environment for all.
Our second speaker was Paul Haysom on Thursday 26th January 2.00pm - 3.00pm. Paul's talk was on:
Visual Impairment at Work: living with multiple eye conditions and gradual sight loss and the challenges visually-impaired staff have in the workplace.
Our third and fourth speakers were Kathryn Scott and Gayle Darlington on Thursday 26th January from 3:00pm - 4pm.
Kathryn's talk was on:
Learning from lived Experiences: Life with disability, Kathryn's experiences and the challenges with coping with an autistic son alongside working.
Gayle's talk was on:
Learning from lived Experiences: Life with disability, Gayle's experience of working with a physical disability.
This was the first in a series of staff disability awareness and knowledge events
Gayle Darlington delivered her presentation on 22nd September 2021.
If you have 20 mins to spare - please watch Gayle's very powerful and moving presentation
Our speaker for our second in the series of Staff Awareness and Knowledge Building events was Charmaine Brady. Charmaine’s talk titled ‘Hidden disabilities’, was delivered as a blended event on Friday 29 October at 11am.
Charmaine presented for approx. 20 minutes and welcomed many audience questions.
Please take 20 mins out of your busy day to watch Charmaine's inspiring and honest talk
Our speaker for our third in the series of Staff Awareness and Knowledge Building events was Dr Gareth Farmer. Gareth’s talk titled ‘'Neurodivergence' - What is it and why should universities care? An Autistic Academic's Perspective’, was delivered as a virtual event on Wednesday 23rd February 2022 at 12:45.
Gareth presented for approx. 20 minutes and he welcomed questions from the audience.
Please take 20 mins out of your busy day to watch Gareth's inspiring talk
Our speaker for our fourth in the series of Staff Awareness and Knowledge Building was Emma. Emma's talk was on Wednesday 4th May 2022, and titled ‘The intersections of different disabilities: opening up about my experiences as a working professional with chronic physical illnesses'.
Emma presented for approx. 20 minutes and welcomed many questions from the audience of nearly 30.
If you would like to join the Staff Disability Network then please simply email: sdncommittee@beds.ac.uk.
As a member you will be added to our email distribution list and have access to our private Teams channel (where members support each other by posting about their experiences, concerns, ideas etc.)
Committee meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis. If you would like to get involved and join the committee, please contact Kirstie Allen at Kirstie Allen@beds.ac.uk or Gayle Darlington-Shaw at gayle.darlington-shaw@beds.ac.uk@beds.ac.uk
The Staff Disability Network is pleased to announce the commencement of new monthly coffee catch-ups. The coffee catch- up is a safe space for staff to share their experiences, concerns, views and feelings about any disability related issues (work related or not) to an understanding, friendly and supportive group.
The coffee catch-up will occur on a regular basis. It is open to all staff members, not only those with a disability, but also those with caring responsibilities, staff with restrictive and/or long-term health conditions, and/or those with an interest in disability issues.
Booking is not needed, just turn up!
This is open to all staff members, not only those with a disability, but also those with caring responsibilities, staff with restrictive and/or long-term health conditions, and/or those with an interest in disability issues.
No need to book you can just turn up! We look forward to see you :)
Our Coffee Catch-Up Schedule is:
Link: Join the Coffee Catch-up
Join our monthly catch-up for all things disability related.
Whether it is to lend a sympathetic ear, ask a question or just sound off about something. All will be welcome to join us - even if it is just for a few minutes.
The Staff Disability Network has obtained a supply of sunflower lanyards for staff with a disability.
This may be particularly useful if you have a disability (especially a hidden disability) and/or if you cannot cope with the University's current one-way system, perhaps because of mobility issues or raised levels of anxiety.
If you wish to register for a lanyard, please contact Karen Chessum at karen.chessum@beds.ac.uk who can arrange for you to obtain one.