Fighting fund banner

 

Disabled members' conference

31 August 2021

Annual meeting for UCU's disabled members, taking place during the annual UCU equality conference.

Email us if you would like to join UCU's network for disabled members.

The annual equality groups conference 2023 will be held at Manchester INNSiDE Hotel from Thursday 16 November - Saturday 18 November 2023

The Disabled members' conference was held on Thursday, 16 November

Disabled people have longed campaigned for the right to their own autonomy in employment, health, and education, against the backdrop of a hostile government where ableism has increased in the workplace and wider society.  Add to this the Covid pandemic, which showed a blatant disregard for the lives of Disabled people as autonomy to live, work and make own decisions were removed. 

This conference discussed disability and autonomy from an intersectional perspective with speakers addressing autonomy in education, employment, and wider society.

The conference was chaired by Pat Roche, NEC, and Chair of the Disabled Members' Standing Committee, with guest speaker, Ellen Clifford, Disabled People against the Cuts, talked about the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).  There were also contributions from members of the Disabled Members Standing Committee.


The disabled members' conference 2021 was held online via Teams will be on Friday 4 December 14:00 - 17:00

Disability, Covid and beyond

It's time to organise! The working lives of disabled people has changed dramatically since the start of the year, blighted by structural inequalities, the disproportionate impact of Covid-19, has exacerbated the failure of employers to provide reasonable adjustments and appropriate support for Disabled workers.

The annual conference looked at the issues raised by the pandemic, the emerging landscape and what the future will look like for disabled workers.  The keynote speaker was Zita Holbourne, PCS vice president, who addresses the conference on the challenges and issues for disabled workers and the fight for disability equality, as well as giving her perspective of being a black disabled woman.

 


For any questions specifically about the disabled member's conference please contact Sharon Russell.

For general event enquiries contact Sue Bajwa.

Last updated: 21 March 2024