This session took place as part of the 2020 Conference. The presenters were Yota Dimitriadi.

Abstract:

There is increased attention in supporting and embracing diversity and inclusion in Higher Education that may have shaped the ways that we work with a growing number of staff and students with disabilities. These approaches can be in the form of reasonable adjustments’ or ‘access to work adjustments’ but also in more inclusive approaches to teaching, learning, curriculum planning as well as flexible working practices. Do these approaches focus on the individual only or offer opportunities to consider systemic challenges and provide scope for organisational culture changes? For instance, while higher than in the past disclosure remains an issue for disabled students. Data around disclosure may also point to differences between staff and student disclosure rates. Does this indicate differences around expectations for staff and students or is it a sign of perceptions of academia as an inaccessible environment?
This talk invites you to a dialogue about the extent that our expected patterns of work and study have changed in more inclusive ways but also to consider some of the barriers that academia still has to remove to support disabled students as well as staff.

You can access the recording of this session at this link here:

Reflections on disability, inclusion & accessibility in academia (UoY Panopto log-in required)