Accolade for disability awareness

08/01/05

Accolade for disability awareness

The University has been recognised for its dedication to ensuring staff and students with disabilities are able to participate fully in campus life. It was named winner of the disability awareness trophy at the Seeboard Energy Local Business Awards towards the end of last year. The University’s success means it moves through to the South London final, where it will compete against winners from six other London boroughs in March.

Diversity and equality manager Jan Stow said improving access and facilities for disabled people had been a key priority during the past year. “The University has invested significantly in meeting the requirements of the latest amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act. Main sites are served by disability access ramps, while measures are being taken to widen doorways to aid wheelchair users. Considerable work has also taken place to improve learning resource facilities for staff and students who are visually impaired, hard of hearing or dyslexic,” Mrs Stow said.

A new group now gives disabled staff and students the opportunity to share their views on access around the University. Mrs Stow hopes the feedback will help shape future site developments for disabled users.