By Ross Davies, Diversity Manager and member of EMBRACE, the Assembly’s disability’s network
International Day of Disabled People (IDDP) takes place every year to promote disability equality, to help break down barriers and to support the dignity, rights and well-being of disabled people. At the Assembly, we are proud to be an accessible employer and service provider. We value the input of our disabled staff and recognise the benefits of engaging with disabled people across Wales during our work. As an employer, we fully support the needs of our disabled staff by providing workplace adjustments such as various options for flexible working, specific equipment to meet their needs or adjusting their sickness absence triggers. We also have supportive staff policies such as a mental health policy, access to an onsite Occupational Health Nurse, an active disability workplace network named EMBRACE and access to a counselling and advice service. Here are some quotes from some of our disabled staff outlining the support that they receive:- “I do not feel disabled when I come to work, as I am treated with respect and my skills are appreciated.”
- "The willingness with which the Assembly engages with our disability staff network really makes me feel that it values my opinions and experiences. I feel that I am helping to make a real difference to the organisation and its staff."
- "The continued support of the Health and Safety Team has made it easier for me to come to work."
- named a Disability Confident employer,
- awarded the Action on Hearing Loss Louder than Words Charter Mark, and received one of their Excellence Wales awards, and
- accredited by the National Autistic Society as an Autism Friendly organisation.
We are delighted to have recently received our latest Autism Friendly certificate which will be displayed in our reception area. Joyce Watson AM, the Assembly Member responsible for equality within the Assembly Commission, stated:
"We are delighted to once again be recognised as an organisation that takes the issue of equality of access very seriously. We are here to represent all of the people of Wales and have a duty to ensure that our facilities, services and information are accessible to all.”
The Assembly Commission is the body which provides property, staff and services to support the Assembly Members.
Ann Jones AM, Deputy Presiding Officer said,
“Working together with Embrace and our external partners is vitally important as it helps us keep pace with best practice in relation to removing barriers to access and inclusion. This helps us as an organisation to ensure we make sustainable and meaningful improvements for our staff and the people of Wales.”
If you would like to know more about the Assembly, you can look at our website, or follow us on Twitter or facebook. Information about working at the Assembly is also available on our website. Information for visitors with an autistic spectrum condition is available on our dedicated pages.
If you would like to contact the Diversity Team you can contact us by email at Diversity@Assembly.Wales or by telephone on 0300 200 7455. We welcome calls via text relay and can provide information in alternative formats upon request.