Proposed by: Beatrix Andrews, Humaira Patel
Seconded by: Yehuda Hodges, Rosa MacGregor, Kathryn Hurley, Ellie Bartlett
What do you want?
All staff at university, in their role, engage with Disabled/SLD students, yet it is not mandatory for staff to undertake training to ensure that they cater to and understand accessibility needs. We would like QMSU to lobby the university to ensure that all university staff receive comprehensive accessibility and awareness training. It should be noted that, currently, there is an e-learning module on reasonable adjustments. However, this module is optional and can be clicked through without gaining any knowledge or understanding of reasonable adjustments or accessibility for Disabled/SLD students.
Why do you want it?
The university claims to be ‘the most inclusive university’ in the UK but continues to fail Disabled students on basic needs such as accessibility. By delivering accessibility training to all staff; it gives them the tools to evaluate and re-adjust the accessibility of their content and materials, whilst providing a greater understanding of disabilities and SLD’s.
What impact will this have?
Having a staff team educated on accessibility needs and reasonable adjustments allows Disabled/SLD students to operate on a level playing field to their peers. Furthermore, this training will provide staff with the opportunity to reflect upon unconscious bias and their contribution towards the ableist environment imposed upon Disabled/SLD students at Queen Mary’s.