Have your say on Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning report

The Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning, coordinated by NIACE, aims to investigate and report on current practices in the employment of disabled people in the FE, HE and lifelong learning sector in order to make recommendations that positively influence culture and practice and promote career opportunities for disabled people. UCU is represented on the Commission by Vice-President Sasha Callaghan, Paul Brown and Kate Heasman.

The Commission has published its interim report. It is keen to hear from all individuals and organisations with an interested in disability issues in the lifelong learning who can advise whether the Commission has identified the key issues affecting disabled staff and what other issues should be explored and highlighted. Whatever your role and whether you are disabled or not, the Commission would welcome your responses to our consultation questions by 7 December 2007.

The Commission is also gathering evidence about personal experiences and employment practices via questionnaires until 16 November 2007. This evidence will help shape the final report.

In particular, the Commission wants to hear more about part-time and agency staff; people with mental health difficulties; people from black and minority ethnic groups; younger disabled staff; less qualified staff; and any instances of promising practice. Your responses will help to produce recommendations to improve opportunities for all staff in lifelong learning and help organisations meet their obligations under disability discrimination legislation.

The final report  will be launched at an event in London on March 5 2008.