ATL

Disability equality

From parking in disabled bays to repeatedly being overlooked for promotions, many education staff with disabilities are still getting a raw deal in schools and colleges. Words by Alex Tomlin

Be it unwitting or deliberate, education staff are still suffering discrimination in the workplace due to physical disabilities or long-term mental health problems, according to a survey of ATL members. The poll reveals 55% of disabled staff think there is considerable or a lot of prejudice against people with disabilities in the UK, while more than three-quarters of all those asked said they had received no training at school on disability issues.

A lack of consideration for those with physical disabilities is evident in some schools and colleges. Helen Taylor, a music teacher from Rochdale, says: "People frequently park in the clearly designated parking spaces, meaning I have further to walk into school."

A teacher at a secondary community school in England describes the plight of a colleague with multiple sclerosis: "[She] is treated like a second-class citizen, forced to stay downstairs in the learning support unit as none of the lifts in the school are big enough to accommodate her scooter... not that they are always operational anyway."

In some cases, staff are actually being punished for their disability. One teacher from a secondary school in London said: "I have not been given any disability leave. Instead I was given a warning due to being off for an operation that was linked to my disability."

A secondary teacher suffering from cancer explains: "There are fears and misunderstanding around my condition, which lead to actions that, although not intentional, can lead to discrimination."

A sixth-form teacher says of a colleague with eyesight problems: "She faces comments from line managers as to whether or not she is still up to doing the job. This is despite consistent inspection grades of outstanding or good."

"Education is key to changing attitudes, so the persistence of discriminatory attitudes towards disabled education staff is particularly alarming," comments ATL's policy adviser on equalities, Daniela Wachsening.

Those with mental health conditions fare no better, as one respondent notes: "I suffer from depression and have always striven to be in school. However, I feel I am given no credit for this, whereas a physical disability or illness would be more sympathetically received."

Another recalls: "In a previous school, I had a period of time off for depression and then had responsibilities taken away from me without any consultation."

"We are extremely concerned about the invisibility of disabled staff, particularly hidden disabilities such as mental health difficulties. There is a widespread perception that disabilities are about physical impairments," adds Daniela, who cites a recent report by the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning that shows the responsibility for gaining support often lies with the individual rather than the organisation. This is particularly the case with regard to mental health difficulties.

Opportunities for career advancement seem to be limited for both physically disabled staff and those with long-term mental health conditions. One secondary school teacher explains: "I am sure that one of the reasons I was not promoted a few years ago was due to the fact that I had had four and a half months off with depression previously."

A secondary supply teacher adds: "When I went for promotion, I was questioned as to what impact my epilepsy would have. I did not get promotion twice, so I left for another school, where I immediately got it."

It is no surprise then that there is a fear of discrimination, as 20% of disabled staff didn't disclose their disability at interview, while 41% of all staff would not inform a new employer about having a disability.

"Disability equality is not just about complying with legislation," Daniela concludes. "It seeks to remove the barriers to the full participation of disabled people in all aspects of life. It is time to start seeing disabled people as an asset, rather than a cost."

If you feel you are being discriminated against on the grounds of a disability, you should first contact the ATL rep in your school or college. Your local ATL branch is also available to help with queries, or you can contact ATL's member advisors.

For more information on disability discrimination, see the disability discrimination page of the health and safety section of this website.