City, University of London awarded Disability Confident Leader status

City, University of London has been awarded Disability Confident Leader status. The University is one of only 15 UK universities to be awarded the status.

Disability Confident is a government scheme, accredited by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), that helps organisations recruit, retain and train great employees. Disability Confident organisations lead in changing attitudes towards disability. There are three levels of the scheme with Leader being the highest.

Commenting on the award, Tim Longden, Director of Marketing & External Relations and the University’s Senior Disability Ambassador, said:

“The award recognises our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment which values the diversity of our wonderful community. As a Disability Confident Leader, we will continue to enhance our reputation as an organisation that leads by example in the higher education sector.”

The University of Bath validated the award. Across City, there are activities and initiatives in place to improve accessibility and inclusivity. Inclusive recruitment practices have been implemented including a guaranteed interview scheme, reasonable adjustments and tailored workshops.

The University’s Wellbeing, Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Disability (WAND) Network plays a vital role in advocating for disabled staff, influencing policy development and ensuring a supportive community.

This year, a storytelling initiative was launched to promote inclusivity and challenge stigma. Visible Voices aims to deepen understanding of disability, neurodiversity and mental health, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusivity.

Events hosted across the University focussing on the lived experiences of disabled people have included an EDI event at the School of Health & Psychological Sciences (SHPS). The event explored people’s experiences of living with disabilities, as well as how the University can improve disabled experiences for staff and students.

The disabled population is estimated at 20% in the UK– at City, 12.4 per cent of students and 7.3 per cent of staff disclose a disability – the ‘(Un)Reasonable Adjustments: A student and staff discussion on disability access’ event highlighted this pertinent issue.  In the UK, 80 per cent of the disabled population includes people with hidden disabilities such as mental health conditions, neurological conditions and chronic illnesses.

Through Disability Confident Employer initiatives, inclusive recruitment practices, support for existing employees, awareness training, and staff networks, the University continues to strive towards improving accessibility and inclusivity for all members of its community.

Find out more about the University’s staff networks.

Find out more about City’s vision and strategy 2030 which sets out a framework of priorities including creating a a diverse and vibrant community of learning.