We’re determined to attract and retain disabled staff, and we positively strive to ensure that our disabled students and staff are fully supported to flourish and meet their full potential. 

Disability Confident Scheme

To help us attract and retain talented disabled staff we have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme.

The Disability Confident scheme, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, challenges organisations to:

  • identify and remove barriers disabled people may experience whilst looking for employment
  • create a positive working environment for disabled staff
  • promote positive disability awareness amongst all staff and partners.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure reasonable adjustments are made so that disabled job applicants can fully and fairly participate in the recruitment and selection process. Reasonable adjustments may include: allowing more time for a test, providing information in large print, and ensuring the interview room is accessible.

Disabled job applicants can also participate in our ‘Interview Guarantee Scheme’. This guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who can show they meet the essential criteria of a role.

Retaining talented employees and encouraging them to be successful in their role is also a priority. We ensure that reasonable adjustments are made for employees. Find out more about the University’s Disabled Staff Network, which welcomes disabled staff and staff with an interest in disability issues. 

Supporting students: disability and mental health

Our Student Disability Service and Mental Wellbeing Team helps students with mental and physical disabilities to reach their full potential.

Our specialist Student Disability team supports and advises students who are facing (or potentially facing) disabling barriers to studying independently at university.

The team can also help with Disabled Student Allowances (DSA), Learning and Placement Support Plans, Dyslexia Support, and reasonable adjustments for assessments.

Digital Accessibility

We want to make sure digital content is accessible to everyone.

Our People Culture Inclusion team has produced e-learning about Understanding Web Accessibility. Our IT team holds sessions on creating accessible documents, and our Learning and Teaching Enhancement team provides training on Accessibility and Blackboard Ally.

In 2019, we launched our new Digital Learning Capture service called ReCap. Lectures can be recorded, and ReCap also allows staff to record additional content outside the classroom environment, as the need arises. View our Accessibility Statements to find out more about the accessibility of our content and systems.

We also provide interactive online maps  with information about accessible routes from one building to another. The map also provides an idea of the accessibility equipment on offer - for example, hearing loops, lifts, and accessible toilets.

Makaton friendly university

Makaton is a sign and symbol language programme for children and adults with speech, language, and communication difficulties.

The signs (hand gestures) are derived from the language of the local deaf community (British Sign Language in the UK). Each sign has an associated symbol, which is a carefully designed black and white line drawing.

Canterbury Christ Church University was the first Makaton friendly University in 2018, and we organise Makaton workshops for all staff and students at the University.

Learn about Makaton, and find out more about the Makaton Friendly Initiative.

Disability networks

The Disabled Staff Network is open to all members of staff at Canterbury Christ Church University. The network is inclusive of a range of disabilities, long term / chronic health conditions, learning differences, mental health issues, and to members of staff who have a specific interest in this area of work. 

The network aims to raise disability awareness, share support and information, and promote culture change at the University.

CCCU Disabled Students Community is open to all CCCU students. The community aims to bring employability and disability together by offering a safe space to share experiences, skills, and opportunities. 

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