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Human Resources

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  1. Human Resources
  2. Equality
  3. Protected Characteristics
  4. Disability
  5. Staff Disability Network

Staff Disability Network

Welcome to the Queen Mary Staff Disability Network!

The Staff Disability Network provides voice, opportunity and connection for disabled staff at Queen Mary. The Network is open to any Queen Mary staff member who identifies as disabled or has a mental or physical health condition or impairment. This could include staff who have experience of:

  • physical or sensory impairments (such as hearing and visual impairments, MS, mobility challenges);
  • neurodivergence (such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia);
  • mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety);
  • other health/medical conditions (such as HIV, epilepsy, cancer).

It is important to recognise that disabled people are a very diverse group of individuals, and no experience of being disabled is the same. Not all disabilities are visible or permanent. The Network will never ask you to disclose any disability or health condition.

Aims of Network

The Staff Disability Network aims to:

  • Create a sense of community and provide a safe space where members can network, socialise, share, challenge and receive peer support in relation to disability equality.
  • Undertake activity that will create positive change and raise awareness of disability issues that members of the community face
  • Advance disability equality by identifying areas of disability equality related work that should be considered a priority
  • Act as a channel for communication and consultation between disabled staff and senior management
  • Improve the staff experience of its members at Queen Mary by working in partnership with Queen Mary’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team on all disability equality issues, including contributing to Queen Mary’s strategies and initiatives and being consulted on decisions that may impact the community
  • Take an intersectional approach to supporting disabled staff and work closely with other staff and student Networks at Queen Mary.

How to join the Staff Disability Network

The Staff Disability Network is hosted on Microsoft Teams. To join simply request to join using Microsoft Teams. 

The Microsoft Teams site is a private group and though there is some degree of visibility when you join (other members can see who you are), we request that members maintain strict confidentiality about its membership and contents.

If you do not currently feel comfortable joining the Teams site, have any questions or want to contribute in another way, you can get in touch with Eleanor McDavis or Darren Hunwicks who work in the central Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team on the Disability Inclusion portfolio.  

The group meets throughout the year for a series of social events and activities. Keep an eye on the Staff E-Bulletin and the Microsoft Teams site for further details of these.

Co-Chairs

The Co-Chairs of QMOut are Natasha Blitvic and Beatrix Andrews.

 

 

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