This year, we asked you to share your stories of how disabled people have been involved, included and helped create a kinder world in 2020.
Equality Analysis
In response to coronavirus, the university has understandably undergone significant change. As we worked to keep our community safe, the need to be proactive on EDI was not underestimated. King’s instinctive response to the pandemic was to centre staff and student wellbeing, including the challenges of individuals working while caring for dependents.
In March 2020, the Senior Management Team (SMT) formally recognised and stipulated EDI needed to be embedded into decisions and implementation responding to coronavirus. EDI worked to deepen confidence in university decisions and help avoid preventable differential impacts for staff and students.
To support King’s in understanding the EDI impacts and possibilities of decisions, we rapidly developed tailored Equality Analysis (EA) materials, including quick reference guides, an abridged Equality Analysis template, and produced a Coronavirus Disease Equality Considerations Report which brings together research on the differential impacts of the pandemic on key demographic groups, including considerations for those that have a disability and / or their carers.
This has meant that any changes in projects and polices are carrying out more effective equality analysis and therefore ensuring disability inclusion is at the forefront of these considerations.
Inclusive Badges Scheme
Our newly formed Access King’s network submitted a proposal to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team on the development of inclusive badges, to better support those who require adjustments and/or are exempt when returning to campus.
The proposal was then sent to our Return to Campus operational group who collaborated and co-created with Access King’s to roll out the badges across campus.
The badges can be collected from any campus, and those collecting do not need to provide any ‘evidence’ for their usage and will not be questioned about them when wearing – anyone can wear them.
The badges have been extremely successful, following a wide communications campaign and useful guidance / FAQ’s that were also developed by Access King’s.
This story is a particular highlight for King’s as it shows the power of our Staff Networks and real community-led driven inclusive change.
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