It is important for supervisors to champion inclusive working practices. An inclusive working environment should embrace the richness of diversity of backgrounds, culture, gender and perspectives of staff and students.
Every member of Imperial staff has a responsibility to:
- eliminate discrimination
- anticipate need
- make reasonable adjustments
Imperial has a range of resources available which provide support, guidance and information for all staff about equality, diversity and disability needs. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre (EDIC) can provide specialist advice and training.
To support students with disabilities you need to contact the Disability Advisory Service.
More than 1,000 current Imperial students have declared a disability, a figure which is increasing each academic year. It’s also worth noting that 65% of impairments are unseen.
Imperial ascribes to the Social Model of Disability. Unlike the medical model, the Social Model is not solely concerned with what the body can or cannot do but focuses on the barriers that prevent disabled people from participating equally in society. The problem is not disabled people themselves, but the environmental, institutional and attitudinal barriers they face.
You can help students by:
- keeping alert to signs of disability;
- discussing with students the benefits of disclosure, so that they might be better supported;
- asking individual students about support and reasonable adjustments that could be made to support their programme of research;
- referring students to the departmental disability officer or to the Imperial’s Disability Advisory Service for specialist advice and support.
Research students with physical or mental impairments, specific learning difficulties or who have other specific needs may be entitled to additional arrangements and/or reasonable adjustments, so you are advised to get in touch with your Departmental Disability Officer (DDO) for further information on supporting your student, as they are the first point of contact within your department. If you have any queries or concerns about your student, please talk to that individual or you can get in touch with the DAS.
The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) works with individual students, no matter what their disability or level of study, to ensure that they have the support they need. Disability Advisors are committed to providing the best possible support for all students at Imperial College. The DAS can also help students who may have an unrecognised issue or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. DAS is also here to support students who may have a temporary or short-term disability.
Some of the sorts of things the Disability Advisors can help with are:
- checking that the evidence of disability is appropriate and up-to-date
- arranging a diagnostic assessment for specific learning difficulties
- making recommendations for additional support for example for the viva or other milestone assessments
- arranging extra Library support and access to the Assistive Technology Suite
Your student can book an appointment by dropping in to the office, phoning or sending an email
The Disability Advisory Service is located in Room 508, Level 5, Sherfield Building, 020 759 49755, disability@imperial.ac.uk