Home > News > May 2007 > 11 May 2007

Commission for disabled staff launched

A Commission examining the recruitment, training, deployment and career progression of disabled staff in lifelong learning in England and Wales was launched this week.

The Commission of Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning is led by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) and is chaired by Leisha Fullick, pro director at the Institute of Education, University of London.

The Commission has members from a range of organisations in the lifelong learning sector, including the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), unions and other representatives from higher, further and adult education.

Evidence will also be collected from disabled staff, senior managers and HR departments, training providers, professional and advocacy organisations and government. The evidence will be reviewed to help identify improvements needed, acknowledge the impacts disabled staff have and the achievements of learners as a result of disabled staff, and examine the position of disabled staff in the wider policy context.

Recommendations will be made to policy makers, funders, employers and training providers. Guides on recruitment, retention and achievements of disabled staff will also be produced.

Leisha Fullick said: "I am delighted to have been invited by NIACE to chair this Commission. The importance that the government is currently according to adult skills means that staffing issues for the lifelong learning sector is going to have an increasingly high profile.

"It is very important that teaching and support staff in this sector reflect the communities they serve and that a sector that is so closely involved in promoting equality of opportunity for students is seen to promote equality of opportunity for its disabled staff."

Lee Probert, head of equality and diversity at the LSC, said: "I am delighted to have been invited to be a Commissioner for this important investigation into the employment of disabled people in the lifelong learning area.

"We know that issues around employment of disabled people are complex and I look forward to hearing the findings of the Commission and being able to use them not only in improving opportunities in the lifelong learning workforce, but also to inform our strategies for employability more widely.

"We know from our experience of the Commission for Black staff in Further Education that investigations like this can make a real difference, and I am confident the impact of this Commission will be comparable."

Christine Nightingale, development officer for the Health and Disability Equality Team at NIACE, said: "We are extremely pleased to have launched this Commission. The focus of activity on disability issues has primarily been on learners and students over the last few years. And this must continue. However Disability Discrimination legislation and duties apply to disabled staff too. Unfortunately evidence has shown that disabled staff continue to face discrimination and harassment in their working lives. Many staff are too afraid to disclose their disabilities for fear of being disadvantaged. We want the Commission to uncover the successes and challenges for disabled staff in lifelong learning. All learners need to see disabled people working positively as good role models."

Further information can be found on the NIACE website

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