DPR News
Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network launched
We were delighted to officially launch the University College Cork Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network with President John O'Halloran. This event took place on Thursday 18th July 2024 and was attend by over fifty staff members.
What is this Network and who is it for? /en/media/support/regsa/dpr/dprnews/StaffDisVid24.mp4
This Network aims to bring together staff with disabilities and neurodivergent staff in a safe, inclusive and relaxed space and to be a source of peer support in the workplace. The Network will also raise awareness and understanding among the wider university community of disability and/or neurodivergence. The Network is open to all members of staff who consider themselves to have an impairment/disability or long-term health/medical condition, and any staff member who is or considers themselves to be neurodivergent, as well as staff with an interest in disabilities/neurodivergence.
Who was speaking?
Dr Avril Hutch, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion opened the proceedings: “This new Network for staff with disabilities and neurodivergent staff marks an important step forward for the university. We look forward to supporting and working with colleagues across UCC to support and grow this Network.”
President John O’Halloran formally launched the Network, stating: “We are delighted to welcome colleagues from across UCC to join us here today for the launch of the Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network. This new staff network will be hugely beneficial in helping us advance our commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We have witnessed the success of our other EDI staff networks and it is fantastic that we will now have four staff networks on campus – LGBT+, Race Equality, Mná and this new network. These networks bring people together, work to engage and support colleagues and progress their important and intersectional agendas across the university. I really want this university to be a place where everyone feels they belong, and these networks do huge work to help us ensure this is a reality.”
Katie Marah, one of the staff who proposed the new network, spoke about how and why the network came about: “UCC has always felt like home to me. But I want to talk to people who are like me and understand me. It is great that through this Network, we will all have an opportunity to come together in this safe space.”
The event also featured a panel discussion with UCC staff Angela Long, Siobhan O’ Neill, Eleanor McSherry, and Dr Noel O'Connell, chaired by Dr Avril Hutch on what visibility and inclusion looks like for staff with disabilities and neurodivergent staff.
Accessibility Matters
Given the nature of this event, disability and neurodivergence were obviously to the fore and with this in mind, the venue was fully accessible, wayfinding was arranged for the room location, both written and audiovisual, and ISL interpretation was provided. Additionally, stimming toys were available on all the tables and a traffic light system was in place for engagement comfort levels. A quiet space was available.
If you would like to know more or you would like to join the network itself, please email disabilityneurodivergence@ucc.ie