Make a Difference
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Transcript of Make a Difference
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Staffroom> Staff networks
with theDSN
@lccdsn
Disabled Staff Network
Make a difference
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Staffroom> Staff networks
I am proud to be the champion for the Disabled Staff Network.The network is crucial to support you in your work and to ensure that all staff are valued and enabled no matter what their individual circumstances. As someone who has recently been through cancer I understand how the right support is essential to enabling people across the organisation to enjoy productive fulfilling working lives whilst dealing with other issues that may impact on them.
ForewordSue Rumbold
Chief officer, Partnership Development and Business Support
Continues on page 3
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Staffroom> Staff networks
In an organisation that values its staff, treats people fairly with dignity and respect and values individual differences, it is important to enable people to challenge where this is not happening in the way that is intended. The Disabled Staff Network is a forum for you to share your experiences and get support from people who have been through similar things as well as giving you a voice and a focus for challenge. The DSN has already made a significant impact in raising the issue of reasonable adjustment and highlighting the challenges of changing to Windows 7 for colleagues with specific needs.I want to acknowledge the work that Laura Stimpson and Maqsood Sheikh have done to progress the network and I’m sure with your support it will continue to go from strength to strength.I look forward to being your champion and raising awareness of the work of the DSN across the council. Sue Rumbold
Foreword continued from page 2
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Staffroom> Staff networks
The Disabled Staff Network is a vital part of the council. Yet its efforts don’t necessarily get the exposure it merits.This special supplement looks to change that.It gives a snapshot of the DSN – telling you what the network does, who they are and where you can find them. Members’ first hand accounts, labelled ‘Our View’ throughout the supplement, illustrate vividly why the DSN’s work matters.It would be great if this supplement helped swell supporter numbers.Disabled employees are sought as DSN champions.For all the latest news, anyone can sign up to the group’s mail-outs.What are you waiting for? Drop the DSN a line at [email protected].
Hello“Our view
Through the network, sharing and learning information on other disabled employees’ successful reasonable
adjustments has improved the support I now get, gives me strength in asking for changes I need, and has
made my working environment and my work management so much better
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Staffroom> Staff networks
The Disabled Staff Network represents all council employees with physical and sensory impairments, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and long-term illness. It has many objectives. Most importantly we are a supportive and inclusive arena where disabled employees can meet to discuss important issues.The network is also an advisory forum for the council – covering equality issues, policies and legislation.Positive promotion of disabled staff city-wide is another target, alongside helping other disabled groups and reviewing the network’s annual terms of reference.
What is the DSN?
What does it do?
I’ve only recently come across the Disabled Staff Network due to the current debate on reasonable
adjustments, which is of interest for me due to the workforce changes. The network is providing information which I am grateful for and which
hopefully allows a voice for disabled members“Our view
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Staffroom> Staff networks
The network wants to improve the working environment for disabled colleagues.It is also committed to supporting the aims and ambitions of the council.The DSN Work Plan sets out how the network achieves these two aims.
In particular:Making the council disability confidentImproving the implementation of reasonable adjustmentsSupporting and championing disabled employeesMaking sure disability is on the council’s agendaGetting people to talk about disabilityEmbedding disability perspectives within employee engagementWorking closely with HR, managers, individuals and colleagues Promoting the DSN and its work council-wide
Work plan
I find it really useful to know what is happening in terms of changes that will affect us – like those
involving access to work, reasonable adjustments and the Changing the Workplace programme.
These things directly affect me, so I am glad of updates and try to contribute where I can“Our
view
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Staffroom> Staff networks
The DSN meets every six to eight weeks at the Civic Hall.You can find dates and times of future meetings on our intranet page.If you can’t make these dates, you can still get involved.While anyone can sign up to the network’s mailing list, disabled employees can contribute towards agenda items – you don’t need to attend meetings to share information, invite feedback and give your views on a range of subjects.We also have three project groups – for communications, support, data and IT – which members are involved in.There is also the monthly newsletter The DSN News, which gives regular updates on network activities and what’s happening in the meetings.
Get involvedWhere do I go? How do I?..
I benefit from receiving information by email. The newsletters and other
communications are very informative, mostly relevant and also help to break my feeling of
isolation to some degree“Our view
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Staffroom> Staff networks
We need to talk about
We asked network members ‘If you could pick one thing to share about
disability what would it be? They said…My message to LCC staff would be to ‘shut up
and listen’. Part of restorative practice involves listening to people and not just
enforcing things on people without consultation. Staff that I work with assume a
lot of things and could do well to just take the time to listen to people.
Please remember that not all disability can be seen and remember you too
or your family could become disabled.Please acknowledge me when I come
back to work after being off sick. Don’t judge people by their disability, judge
people by their skills and personality. My disability is one aspect of me, it
does need to be taken into account BUT it does not define me, I still have
the same strengths, personality etc.
Disability
The DSN want to get people talking about disability. It seems that people are so scared to offend, use the wrong language or just don’t know what to say that they avoid the topic completely. This leaves disabled staff feeling isolated and without the right support.After meeting with Laura Stimpson and Maqsood Sheikh, Tom Riordan said in his blog: “The DSN’s advice, or wish, is for all of us not to be scared to talk about disability. A good quote from a member of the network is ‘My disability is part of me, but it does not define me.’ Having met the team, and listened to them, I agree that we need people to feel comfortable talking about disability in general and talking to disabled staff about their own individual needs, and making reasonable adjustments to support them. If we can get people talking this will be a massive part of the battle.”
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Staffroom> Staff networks
How do I join?
Any disabled employee can sign up. Simply email [email protected] network has a lot more information on its intranet page.
This is your network, so please do get involved if you want to contribute towards making a difference for disabled staff
The DSN seems to have its finger on all the appropriate pulses and I am impressed at how
well organised it is considering the people who run it also do their ‘day jobs’. The meetings are very open and welcoming and there is genuine
interest in members’ views at all times“Our view
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Staffroom> Staff networks
24% of the adult population are disabled
20% of those are of working ageOnly 17% of disabled people
were born with their disabilityThe majority of
impairments are not visibleLess than 8% of disabled people
are wheelchair users – only 28% of wheelchair users are of working age
Did you know?
The DSN is a vital group who work to ensure the views of disabled staff are heard and ultimately disabled staff are treated fairly.
I get a lot out of the meetings and information circulated by the network. The network really does work to make sure the things that matter most
are addressed and are persistent no matter how big the hurdles. It’s great to work with a group of likeminded, positive people for such a good cause
They meet every 6 weeks out of work. Contact us for more details
The DSN has its very own
mental health support group
“Our view
