23 Nov 07

The University has been commended on the way it has involved disabled staff and students in advising on how best to remove any barriers, perceived or otherwise, for disabled people.

In a recent report by the Disability Rights Commission on ‘Involvement for Real Equality’ Oxford University is one of nine featured public organisations. The report describes the lessons learnt through involving disabled people in the development and implementation of disability equality schemes in public organisations.

The Law now requires public organisations to adopt a proactive approach in involving and promoting the full participation of people with disabilities in all activities. Key to Oxford’s approach has been to bring together disabled people with senior management in a Working Party that advises on the University’s Disability Equality Scheme (DES) which contains an action plan that the University is implementing.

Marie Tidball, who studied Law at Wadham College, is one of the members of the Working Party. She has a congenital disability which affects all four limbs: an amputation to her left ankle and a digit on each arm. She was also temporarily in a wheelchair following surgery last year. She said: ‘When I arrived at Wadham everybody was extremely helpful but a lot of the provision was ad-hoc. Asking for help is stressful as it is often unclear what avenues to pursue to access help, what help is available to you and whether there is a limit to the assistance you can request. The change in the law, which requires pre-emptive measures to be taken rather than responding retrospectively to an individual’s needs, is a positive step. While I was on the Working Party I was able to help inform planners on disabled access and facilities for the refurbished Ashmolean Museum, the Old Boys School (which is now the History Faculty), Queen’s College library and a new building at St John’s.

‘During the meetings I also shared some of my experience and suggestions about examination provision for disabled students. Some people with disabilities are not physically able to sit so many exams in a short time-span. When I took my finals, my exam papers were spread out over a longer period of time but it meant that I had to be in incarceration during what was already a stressful time. I believe that colleges should pool resources in such circumstances to achieve the fairest and most efficient solution for the student. The way members of the working party and other parts of the institution responded to the suggestions shows that the University is listening and is prepared to make changes.’

Peter Quinn, Senior Disability Officer at Oxford University, said: ‘Planning ahead not only benefits disabled people but also the University and the general public. The University can make savings by not having to make costly adjustments at a later stage, and the general public also benefits, for example, by having easier access for push-chairs and improved signage to find their way round.’

Dame Fiona Caldicott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Personnel and Equal Opportunities, who was invited to speak at the launch event for the report, said: ‘The benefits of having disabled students and staff on the Steering Group has been immense, combined with their availability for consultation as we continue to improve our provision.’

Marie Tidball concluded: ‘Oxford University provided me with a fantastic opportunity and I want to give something back. I think that a world-class university like Oxford should also be providing world-class facilities that are accessible to all. Hopefully the measures it has implemented so far will give it momentum to evolve its facilities and attitude of institutional inclusiveness in the future.’

The University’s first DES was commended by the Disability Rights Commission in a letter to the University’s Vice Chancellor.