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In Spring 2022, we launched our first University-wide disability equality strategy and action plan which aims to improve the experiences of our disabled staff and students.
We are committed to progressing equality, diversity and inclusion. We want our staff and students to feel supported and empowered to challenge the inequalities they may face or see and to help us achieve our ambitions for diversity and inclusion as set out in the University Vision.
The views and experiences of staff and students form an essential part of our disability equality strategy and action plan. Input was sought via various consultations, including a University-wide survey in 2021, where staff and students were invited to tell us what new actions the University should take to continue to progress disability equality.
This helped inform the action plan developed by the Disability Equality Steering Group, which included staff and students from the Disabled Students Committee and the Disability Staff Network alongside other key stakeholders.
The strategy aims to bring about transformational change by addressing the challenges experienced by disabled students and staff, and ensuring their needs are met within an inclusive and understanding culture where environmental, attitudinal and organisational barriers have been reduced or removed.
Our ambitious plan sets out to improve the representation, progression, retention, experience and success of disabled students and staff at the University, transforming the University of Sheffield into an institution of choice for disabled people.
Comprising five overarching objectives, and many separate actions assigned to key stakeholders from across the institution, the action plan is a live document that is regularly reviewed by the Disability Equality Delivery Group. The last major review took place in December 2023 with actions being amended and added as a consequence, and leading to this second iteration of the plan. Progress is monitored against agreed timeframes and is reported to the University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
We will continue to welcome constructive and critical engagement and challenge from our community in order to advance our strategy.