Transforming your organisation through equality for disabled staff: What progress and what next?

[Background] [This conference aims to] [This event will be of particular interest to] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions] [Application Form]

Background

In March 2008 the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning published its final and summary reports. ‘From compliance to culture change: disabled staff working in lifelong learning’ found systemic neglect of disabled employees’ needs and requirements amounting to institutional discrimination. But it also found that addressing the disability equality agenda and achieving its recommendations have the potential to transform organisations in the learning and skills sector for the benefit of everyone, not just disabled staff.

The then Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) gave an unequivocal welcome to the reports and set out what it would do and what it expected of the sector. The work of the Commission was taken over by the Disability Equality Implementation Group (DEIG) sponsored and supported by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), the Sector Skills Council responsible for the lifelong learning workforce.

Almost two years later, this DEIG/LLUK/NIACE joint conference explores what progress has been made, what has been achieved and what direction future strategy and activity should take. Delegates who attend the conference will be able to share their experiences, take back practical ideas and frameworks for progress to change their organisations, and shape the DEIG’s role.

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This conference aims to

• update delegates on progress to disability equality for employees in the learning and skills sector
• explore what has already been achieved
• equip delegates with guidelines and framework to effect disability equality progress and change within their organisations
• involve delegates in shaping DEIG’s future strategic direction, priorities and activities

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The event will be of particular interest to

• Disabled employees working at any level throughout the learning and skills sector
• Trade union representatives
• HR managers and directors
• Equality and diversity managers and coordinators
• Senior managers and directors with strategic leadership responsibility for equality and diversity
• Corporation members, trustees and those responsible for governance in the learning and skills sector

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Programme

09:45 Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available)

10:15 Welcome and introduction to the day
Chair: Sasha Callaghan, Chair, Disability Equality Implementation Group

10:25 Keynote address
Tim Cooper, Director of the Office for Disability Issues, HMG

11:00 Round table discussions with DEIG facilitators
Progress on disability equality in the lifelong learning sector - the big issues

11:30 Plenary feedback – main points recorded to inform afternoon consultation session

11:45 Tea/coffee break

12:00 Knowledge café (Please indicate your choices on the application form)

1. Attracting disabled employees to the learning and skills sector
   David Ewens, Programme Director - Equality and Diversity, NIACE
2. Effective disclosure of impairment
   Paul Brown, Independent Trainer & Consultant
3. Retaining and developing disabled employees
   Nathan Lucas, Employment Policy Manager, Association of Colleges
4. Guidelines/framework for action to effect change in learning and skills sector organisations
5. LLUK supporting DEIG
   Min Rodriguez, Equality and Diversity Manager at Lifelong Learning UK

13:15 Lunch, networking and displays

14:15 Involving delegates on DEIG’s strategic direction, priorities and activities

Format of activity

• 8 groups, 10 people per group, including DEIG facilitator
• Workplan distributed beforehand with action plan
• Group discussion on action plan template
• Refreshments available throughout the activity

15.15 Summary of key actions
Sasha Callaghan and David Ewens

15:30 Close of conference (tea/coffee available)

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Event Information

Arrival and registration is at 9:45am for a 10:15am start. The event will end at 3:30pm

Event Fee per person: £99 (includes lunch, tea/coffee) NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference and course fees

Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed application forms

Completed and signed application forms must be faxed or posted to NIACE by the closing date. Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted

Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed one week before the event

Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions

If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact:

Gurjit Kaur
Tel: 0116 204 2833
Fax: 0116 254 8368
Minicom: 0116 255 6049
E-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions

Event: Friday 5 February 2010
Closing Date: Thursday 22 January 2010

Bursary places are offered on this event. A supporting letter accompanying the Application Form is required

Cancellations are non-refundable

The full fee is payable prior to the event

Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event

A 10 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille

NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list

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Application Form