Cardiff University is committed to developing an inclusive culture based on the values of dignity, respect and courtesy and with a commitment to equality and diversity. The University will demonstrate that it supports and values the inclusion of disabled people across the full range of University activities by:
- creating a work and study environment which is inclusive and accessible to disabled people;
- enabling disabled staff and students to reach their full potential through access to development opportunities and meeting specific access and support requirements;
- continuing to involve disabled people in the development of relevant University strategies, policies and working practices;
- promoting its values through external partnerships and working closely with our partners;
- complying with legislation prohibiting disability discrimination and promoting disability equality.
Further information about the University’s Equality Objectives is included in the Strategic Equality Plan: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/govrn/cocom/equalityanddiversity/stratequalplan/index.html
If you have any questions of comments please contact Catrin Morgan, Equality & Diversity Manager (Governance and Compliance): MorganCa5@cf.ac.uk or 029 2087 0230.
Disability – Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 aims to provide rights to disabled people and prevent disability discrimination (treating disabled people less favorably than non-disabled people) and harassment.
The Equality Act provides legal rights for disabled people in the areas of:
- access to goods, services and facilities
- buying and renting land or property
- functions of public bodies (e.g. issuing of licences)
The Equality Act also provides rights for people not to be directly discriminated against or harassed because they have an association with a disabled person for example a carer, parent or partner of a disabled person.
The protection from discrimination or harassment also applies to people perceived to be disabled even if they are not in fact disabled.
Definition of ‘Disability’
In the Act, a person has a disability if:
- they have a physical or mental impairment
- the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities
For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:
- 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial
- 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)
- 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping
Some progressive conditions e.g. HIV, cancer or multiple sclerosis are protected by the Act from the point of diagnosis.
Cardiff University has a legal requirement to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for disabled staff, students and visitors. This may mean changing the way in which employment is structured or education and services are delivered to provide arrangements or support that meet disabled people’s requirements. Reasonable adjustments may include for example: providing equipment or materials, the removal of physical barriers, changing a policy or procedure to remove disadvantage or meet the needs of disabled people.
The aim of reasonable adjustments is to remove any disadvantage to disabled people and provide the same or closest possible level of service/employment opportunities for disabled people. What is deemed ‘reasonable’ will depend on the individual circumstances of the case.
Disability and Dyslexia Service – Students
The Disability and Dyslexia Service provides advice, information and guidance for potential students, applicants and current students on issues related to disability and University studies. Information and advice is provided to University staff working with disabled applicants and students and the Service liaises with staff across the University to ensure reasonable adjustments are put in place for individual students. The Disability and Dyslexia Service is based on both the Cathays and Heath Park Campuses. For further information: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/dyslx/index.html
Reasonable adjustments for Staff
The University’s Human Resources division has produced guidelines for staff and managers on reasonable adjustments and access to work to assist with a positive and consistent approach to the provision of reasonable adjustments for staff. The guidelines are available on: http://cf.ac.uk/humrs/staffinfo/support/disabled_support.html