Disability Inclusion Framework
The Disability Inclusion Framework outlines our approach to disability equality, which includes the physical estate, e-accessibility and culture and good practice.
The Framework consists of three subgroups that oversee progress of the framework:
- Accessibility Working Group
- E-accessibility Working Group
- Culture and Good Practice Working Group
Progress is reported to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Membership
- Strategic Programme and Projects Manager, Directorate of Technology, Estates and Facilities (chair)
- Engagement Officer, Directorate of Technology, Estates and Facilities
- Access Officer, Directorate of Technology, Estates and Facilities
- Head of Estates Operations, Maintenance and Grounds
- Equality and Diversity Office
- Disability Services
- IT Services
- Space Services
- Timetabling and Room Booking
- An academic member of staff
- A staff representative (co-chairs of INCLUDE)
- A student representative (YUSU and GSA)
- A trade union representative
- Other members of the Directorate of Technology, Estates and Facilities
Purpose
- To oversee the development of the University’s inclusive campus and community agenda and objectives with regard to disability.
- To consult, engage and communicate with diverse students, staff and visitors on the preparation, development and progress of the disability objectives.
- To promote awareness in respect of estate design and management and culture across the institution.
- To consider and approve a programme of innovative beacon activities aimed at improving disability access and the wider inclusion agenda.
- To take account of relevant legislation and good practice.
- To consider possible approaches to external agencies and funders with regard to disability issues.
- To raise issues of disability equality and inclusion to relevant University groups and committee where this requires further action for example HR, IT, Estates and Campus Services.
- To receive regular updates on current good practice on accessibility issues.
Membership
- Head of Programme Design and Learning Technology (PDLT)
- Academic Support Office
- Communications
- IT Services
- Human Resources
- Disability Services
- Equality and Diversity Office
- Library and Archives
- An academic member of staff
- A staff representative (co-chairs of INCLUDE)
- A student representative (YUSU and GSA)
- A trade union representative
Purpose
- To provide guidance across the University on the approach to accessibility statements, through regular testing and reporting.
- To review, manage and recommend appropriate software requirements and licences to support e-accessibility across the University.
- To coordinate and plan training for all staff to ensure key accessibility principles are adopted when using digital systems.
- To undertake an audit and develop a system of allocation of the current provision of assistive technology and equipment available for disabled staff and students.
See more information about the E-Accessibility Working Group.
Membership
- Head of Equality and Diversity (chair)
- Human Resources
- Student Hub
- Open Door and Disability
- Occupational Health
- Equality and Diversity Office
- An academic member of staff
- A staff representative (co-chairs of INCLUDE)
- A student representative (YUSU and GSA)
- A trade union representative
Purpose
- A forum for staff and students to raise issues and concerns relating to disability that may need to be discussed and/or escalated to other groups/committees.
- To review and extend the provision of university policies and guidance to support disability inclusion.
- To provide input to help progress the University’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme (from 2023) and make recommendations to the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee as appropriate.
What have we achieved?
Ongoing since 2019
2023-24
- New international undergraduate disabled student journey
- New international postgraduate disabled student journey
2022-23
- Developed the new Reasonable Adjustment process for staff with a disability or long term health condition
- Updated the Disability Awareness online module
- Launched the new Accessibility at York webpage
2021-22
- Development of the Disability Awareness online module
- Development of guidance - recording online meetings as a reasonable adjustment for disabled staff
- Revision of the Digital Accessibility online module
- Installed Disability related signage at bus stops
- New home postgraduate disabled student journey
2020-21
Developed:
- New member of disabled staff journey
- New home undergraduate disabled student journey
- Developed guidance - How to: encouraging positive conversations around disability
- Launch of the University AccessAble Guide
The subgroup's progress reports will be provided to relevant committees, such as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee.
See the Framework in a visual structure:
, 177kb)