International Disability Studies 4th to 6th September 2003

VICTORIA EATHORNEVICTORIA EATHORNE

Disability AdvisorDisability Advisor

RCN Learning RepresentativeRCN Learning Representative

Disability Education AdvisorDisability Education AdvisorLearning and Teaching Support NetworkLearning and Teaching Support NetworkCentre for Health Sciences and PracticeCentre for Health Sciences and Practice

The Disability Discrimination The Disability Discrimination Act 2001 and its implications Act 2001 and its implications

for Education & Trainingfor Education & Training

for Healthcare Studentsfor Healthcare Students

entering the Healthcare entering the Healthcare professionsprofessions

AIMSAIMSTo outline ….

• D.D.A. 1995

• S.E.N.D.A. 2001

• Implications for Universities/NHS Trusts

• D.R.C. -Good Practice Codes

BackgroundBackground

• Disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to have no qualifications whatsoever

• One in five pupils will be identified as having a 'special educational need' while at school

• One in twenty disabled people are at a college of further or higher education or university - compared to one in ten of the rest of the population

• More than double the number of disabled people are out of work compared to non-disabled people

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Those providing goods, facilities or services have duties:-

• Not to refuse a service

• Provide worse standards OR

• Offer service on worse terms

on grounds of a person being disabled

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Also Covered

• goods, facilities, services and premises

• Employment

• Letting & Selling property

AND

• Education

• ONLY obligation to produce an annual statement

SENDA 2001 SENDA 2001 from September 2002

(1) It is unlawful for the body responsible for an Institution to discriminate against a disabled person-

(a) in the arrangements it makes for determining admission to the Institution as a student;

(b) in the terms on which it offers to admit him to the Institution as a student; or

(c) by refusing or deliberately omitting to accept an application for his admission to the Institution as a student.

(2) It is unlawful for the body responsible for an Institution to discriminate against a disabled student in the education or associated services provided for, or offered to, students at the Institution by that body.

Main duties under SENDA 2001

1- Not to treat disabled Students members less favourably

2- To make reasonable adjustments to avoid putting the disabled participant at a substantial disadvantage

Associated services...• Policies• Clubs and activities• Assessment and exams• Trips• Homework• Sports• classroom organisation

• Access to facilities• Grouping of students• Breaks and lunchtimes• Serving of meals• The curriculum• Preparation for entry to

the Institution

Who is covered?

Disabled persons as defined by the DDA 1995

Someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities

Codes

• Schools and Post-16

• Consultation ended Oct 2001

• School nurses forum contributed to RCN response

• Code commenced in May 2002

Lectures in Continuing Education and Training

• Lecturers assist students with professional development

• Accessing education and training courses

• Pre and post registration courses

Supporting Students

• Identify disabled Students

• provide support

• link with training departments, universities, colleges, LTSN

• negotiate with employers; workshops, events, training needs

Supporting Lecturers in Continuing Education & Training

• Partnership Working between Universities and NHS Trusts

• Disability Advisors at Universities

• Disability Education Advisor at Learning and Teaching Support Network

• Network with Trade Unions Learning Representatives

Implications for Lecturers in Continuing Education and Training• Concepts - medical or social model?

• Accommodating disabled Students in learning needsAccommodating disabled Students in learning needs

• Disability Awareness training

• ‘‘Positive about disabled people’Positive about disabled people’

• ‘Reasonable adjustments’ - advocate and advise

• Advice & training e.g. medicationAdvice & training e.g. medication

• Understanding needs and behaviour related to the Students impairment

Implications for Lecturers at Universities and NHS Trusts

• Funding

• specialist support/technology

• staff development

• quality/policy issues

• examination and assessment

• identification of students

• practice risk

‘‘Education in HealthEducation in Health

• Lifelong learning

• Liberating the Talents

• Working Together; Learning Together

• National Bureau for Students with disabilities (SKILL)

• Learning & Teaching Support Network

• Learning & Skills Council

• NHSU

• Union Learning Fund

Further information

• http://www.drc-gb

• ‘Education for all’ DRC Campaign

http://www.drc-gb.org/drc/Campaigns/Page431.asp

• Schools Code- Published May 2002

(also Post-16 Code)

• Special Educational Needs and Discrimination Act 2001