Diversity and Ability

🚨The deadline to register to vote is tomorrow (18/06) at 23:59!

Feeling overwhelmed?

We've broken down UK elections for you in a new resource. It's time to read up and get registered so you can make your voice count this 4th of July.

Read the election guide now at https://loom.ly/57s_rlQ

Ever heard of an eggcorn?

Eggcorns are words or phrases that result from people mishearing an original word or phrase. For instance, children often refer to Acorns as Eggcorns! Some common eggcorns include:

'Biting one's time' instead of 'Biding one's time'
'Doggy dog world' instead of 'Dog eat dog world'
'Pre-madonna' instead of 'Primadonna'.

Eggcorns teach us a few things about language and inclusion:

- The language we use isn't always clear and that means it's not always inclusive! Make sure you're not accidentally gatekeeping spaces or communities due to unclear language.

- People's understanding of idioms is not guaranteed, because idioms can be very specific to geographical location.

- If you struggle with speech or auditory processing or are learning a new language, don't be afraid of getting things wrong!

Language is fluid! Often, over time, these misheard versions can become the standard. For example, "another thing coming" is more common now than the original phrase: "another think coming".

What is your favourite eggcorn? Let us know in the comments!

If you've been paying attention you know the D&A community is majority Disabled/Deaf and Neurodiverse.

But did you know the D&A employee team is majority LGBTQIA+?

Celebrating our LGBTQIA+ team and community every month, but amplifying their achievements, struggles and history this month especially.

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In hardcore crunch time before the end of term? Make sure you use all your DSA support!

If you have hours of support left to claim, you may as well take them. Your funding stops after your final hand-in! Sessions can be a nice refresher before any exams and final submissions, helping to troubleshoot specific problems as you revise, and even starting you thinking about how to manage career planning!

Check out why these students found their support helpful right up until the end of the term!

This Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), test your digital accessibility knowledge with our pop quiz 🤓

Got the answers wrong? Don't worry, we've got some tips!

✅Accessible text always uses sans serif fonts, not calligraphy style.

✅Text should be at least size 12 or at least size 18 for headings and presentations.

✅Avoid italics and underlining as they make it harder to read text.

✅For hashtags, use camel case. This is where you capitalise the beginning of each word. This makes it easier for everyone, especially those using screenreaders.

[Image 1 Description: Text reads '16th May 2024, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, D&A's Pop Quiz!' The graphic has a pop art theme and a cartoon globe. ]

[Image 2 Description: Text reads ' Which of these examples is accessible?' Above there are 5 variations of the word 'access' the first is very small, the second is in italics, the third is a sans serif font, the fourth is underlined and the fifth is in a calligraphy font. In the corner, there is . ]

[Image 3 Description: Text reads ' Which of these examples is accessible?' Above there are 5 variations of the word 'access' the first is very small, the second is in italics, the third is a sans serif font, the fourth is underlined and the fifth is in a calligraphy font. There is a tick next to the sans-serif font. In the corner, there is .]

[Image 4 Description: Text reads Text reads 'Which of these examples is accessible?' . There are two options, the first is and the second is . In the top corner text reads ' '. There is a cartoon camel making a peace sign.]

[Image 5 Description: Text reads 'Which of these examples is accessible?'. There are two options, the first is and the second is . There is a tick next to the second option. In the top corner text reads ' '. There is a cartoon camel making a peace sign.]

Inclusive Communication Training

No one wants to be reasonably adjusted, they want to be welcomed.

If you've been in the audience at an event Atif spoke at, you might have heard him drop this gem. That's why this series of Labels and Legacies is all about reasonable adjustments.

For our first episode, Atif will be joined by the incomparable Professor Amanda Kirkby. They'll kick off the series by providing a broad overview of what it means to be reasonably adjusted, touching on some of the themes we'll draw out in the next episodes.

Don't miss out, previous episodes of Labels and Legacies were fully booked quickly so get your spot today at https://loom.ly/7TGwXFI

What does it mean to be reasonably adjusted? Labels and Legacies Diversity and Ability CEO, Atif Choudhury talks with special guests about how we can move from reasonable adjustments to celebration.

In a recent poll, you told us that you didn't know what one-to-one support through the Disabled Students' Allowance was.

We don't blame you. The government calls it 'non-medical helper allowance', but what the hell is a non-medical helper? Let us break it down for you...

We've supported 24,000 students receiving non-medical helper allowance with DSA funding, so we know exactly how amazing a resource it is!

The Department for Education wants to hear from people who received support from a non-medical helper through DSA whilst at university. Now's your chance to make your voice heard!

Submit your responses to the survey at https://loom.ly/2_D5iFs

Are you an independent thinker with a knack for generating income? Join us as our Business Development Lead!

📍 Location: Remote, Brighton Head Office, or Hybrid
🕒 Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (inclusive of lunch breaks)
📅 Contract: Permanent
💰 Salary: £32,000 – £42,000 per annum (pro rata for part-time, dependent on experience)

Update: the deadline for this post has been extended to 23rd May!

You'll strategically identify potential leads and convert them into sales through dynamic communication and negotiation, oversee the business development pipeline and ensure smooth transitions. Collaborating with the business development team to implement effective strategies and adapt to sector developments, you'll share ideas and work to drive positive social change.

Join our team, collaborate with like-minded individuals, access comprehensive support and training, and make a real impact!

https://loom.ly/vOuJT_g

You've been waiting for it!

Labels and Legacies series two is here. This time around we're tackling reasonable adjustments, the D&A way. Stay tuned to sign up for the first episode👀

Weeeeee'reeeee ceeeelleeebratingggg deaaaaff awarenesss weeeeekkkk!

We slowed that down for you- was that easier?

No? Of course, it wasn't. Yet so many people overly slow down or over-enunciate when communicating with Deaf people.

To avoid looking silly (or worse, offending someone), here are our top tips for communicating with D/deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

1️⃣ Find a BSL course and start to learn! Whether online or in-person, resources like BSL Courses, Signature, and iBSL can help. Always strive to have a Deaf tutor.

2️⃣ Be sure to get attention before starting a conversation, a simple wave can do the trick!

3️⃣ Everyone's different! Check with each person how they prefer to communicate.

4️⃣ Position matters! Face the person directly, ensure good lighting, and minimize background noise.

5️⃣ Keep it simple. Prioritise the most crucial points and address one at a time.

6️⃣ Gestures and visual cues can be a big help.

7️⃣ Patience is key! If things aren't clicking, consider writing it down or exploring other communication methods.

8️⃣ Tech can be a handy assistant! Apps like Otter AI, Live Transcribe, and Text Hear offer live transcription. Note Listen for Deaf, Deaf Note, and Make It Big allow for note/typing conversations. And BSL apps like SignBSL and Bright BSL can help with specific signs. You can always check out our resources page to learn more about assistive tech!

A big shoutout to a member of our community Jasper Williams for sharing these tips, read his full blog post on our website https://loom.ly/BHGBad0

Culturally and proudly Deaf: celebrating the Deaf community and the BSL Act on Deaf Awareness Week | D&A | Diversity and Ability Watch this video in BSL.   I’m proud to be profoundly Deaf and a BSL user. My sign name is ‘badger’; sign names are a specific sign decided by a Deaf person so you can identify yourself without repeatedly fingerspelling your name using the BSL alphabet. Being profoundly Deaf means…

Working in business development doesn't have to be disconnected from meaningful impact.

We're looking for a talented individual with a strategic and dynamic approach to income generation to join our team as Head of Business Development!

Location: Brighton Office or Hybrid | Employment: Full-time, Permanent | Salary: £36,000-£42,000

We're looking for someone with a proven track record in cultivating income-generating relationships, a dedication to fostering inclusive cultures, excellent financial literacy, and experience managing sales or business development teams.

You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with an incredible team, access comprehensive support and training, and truly utilise your skills to drive significant impact!

Apply at https://loom.ly/GvEJt_c

Disability Justice doesn't end at our border.

D&A stands in solidarity with Disabled people globally, including those in Palestine. In Atif's words: "In this equity, diversity and inclusion space, we must recognise our solidarity and duty of care to communities of people who don’t get to share their stories"

That's why we've partnered with Makan. They've written a blog piece on the reality of disability in Palestine that we want to share with you.

Read Makan's article with additional comments from us at https://loom.ly/XgHv3Gw

Disability, dehumanisation and solidarity with Palestine | D&A | Diversity and Ability Makan and Diversity and Ability This blog post was written by Sara Khan and Aatikah Rashid (Makan) with comments from Diversity and Ability. Content advisory: This post contains mentions of violence, torture and death, including descriptions of specific instances of violence. At Diversity and Abilit...

Did you know the Disabled Students' Allowance has been updated?

Whether you're a student applying for DSA or are a member of staff keen to make sure your students have all the right information, we've got your back.

Our DSA: Find Your Way guide breaks down every step of the process, making it easier than ever to navigate. Dive in now to stay ahead for next year's applications! Remember, the sooner you apply for DSA the better!

https://loom.ly/ZDEkTMA

If you weren't lucky enough to meet Rox at the Neurodiversity in Business Conference last week, now's the chance!

Rox (they/she) is one of our amazing Accessibility and Inclusion Specialists. Rox's lived experience, commitment, expertise and enthusiasm embody the driving force behind what sets our services apart.

Always delivering top-notch relatable stories, they are an amazing presenter and public speaker, creating a safe space for workshop participants.

Remember your organisation can benefit from our amazing team and their expertise. Get in touch to explore how our team and services can meet your people needs.

Did you know it's Fashion Revolution Week 🛍️

Fashion Revolution Week focuses on the intersection of fashion with social and environmental justice, a cause closely aligned with our mission. So it shouldn't have been a surprise that this week, by sheer coincidence, we hosted a team clothes swap at the office!

The team came to work with their pre-loved goodies and swapped them for other pre-loved goodies.

As a neurodiverse team, we know that shopping and fashion are a goldmine of dopamine, but that it is also not always good for the planet or our bank accounts. This way our clothes are saved from landfills, our bank accounts saved from ourselves and on top of all that we get dopamine not just from our lovely new items, but from seeing our old ones find new homes with colleagues.

Why don't you try hosting a clothes swap with your team, friends, or family?

Find out why the Neurodiversity in Business Conference was a highlight of our week 💼

1. We took AXS Passport on tour🚗
- We hope you downloaded and shared your AXS Passport with the NiB team, if not you can still create your passport at axs-passport.co and share it with the NiB team via the conference pp to help them continue to deliver accessible conferences.

2. Labels and Legacies Live 🛑
- Atif was joined by Reena Anand, Marcia Brisett-Bailey and with a last-minute addition of our own Roxanne Steel! What a session it was, keep your eyes peeled for how to join the next series of Labels and Legacies.

3. You're keeping the conversation going 💬
- We had a jam-packed workshop in the afternoon and we asked participants to share the quick wins they came up with in the session - "Acknowledge and use chosen identity language of colleagues e.g autistic person not person with autism", "Start using my AXS passport", "Use the social model instead of medical".

Don't keep it to yourself! What is your top priority for neurodiversity inclusion right now?

Say hi to Angela! Angela is one of our fabulous Digital Accessibility Apprentices. Alongside the T&I team, she works and learns diligently, with the goal of becoming an inclusion specialist ✨

Angela is such a joy to have around so we cherish when she can join us for our social events, travelling all the way from up north down to our Brighton office. The team is always in awe of her great taste in fashion - and even in Japanese vocal synthesisers!

Well done Angela on all you have achieved so far with us at D&A, we can't wait to see what else is in the pipeline 💫

Do you want to work alongside stellar team members like Angela? Stay updated for new job opportunities on our careers page, diversityandability.com/vacancies

We hope to see you there!

Creating a conference has been a labour of love for .

Here are the three ways that Diversity and Ability are elevating the NiB annual conference on April 16:

We are partnering with Diversity and Ability to bring their new ‘AXS Passport’ to all conference delegates. AXS passport is a technology solution which allows delegates to state their accessibility preferences, and helps organisations to understand how best to meet these needs. Find out more from their exhibition stand on the day.

Atif Choudhury will join us for a fireside chat about ‘Improving retention for neurodivergent employees’. Atif is an award-winning social entrepreneur with a background in economic justice and disability inclusion.

Roxanne Steel and Leigh Spanner will be leading a workshop at the conference, focusing on ‘Innovating through workplace and product design’.

Whilst on-site tickets are sold out, .virtual tickets are still available, and our online access supports accessibility and equal participation for everyone.

👉Book your virtual ticket now using the link in bio.

We are really looking forward to meeting you on 16 April to discuss how we can ‘collaborate for impact’ and create real change for every person.

Image description: A blue graphic with the NiB logo and the text ‘2024 NiB Annual Conference, Collaborating for Impact’

Say hello to our wonderful Georgie 👋

Georgie is one of the most colourfully dressed members of the team, and her humour and wit make meetings a breeze!

She's a passionate advocate of our AXS Passport, which is good because it's her job! If you're ready to embed an anticipatory approach to inclusion and think a digital tool sounds like the way to do it, Georgie's the person to speak to.

Sign up for the next demo of the AXS Passport Portal on 18th April https://loom.ly/Y2sCMr8

Join us and Diversity and Ability on Thursday 4th April as we explore how disability and debility configure into the collective Palestinian experience, and how disability justice is at the core of Palestinian liberation.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xQ54M3UQTHmOrhjfq91aBg

This week's spotlight shines on Shenika (she/her) from the Operations team!

Shenika fields calls from students, people receiving support through Access to Work, and clients all over. She, along with the rest of the operations team, is the glue that keeps all of D&A's support running smoothly.

When Shenika lets out a laugh from her corner desk, you know you've landed a good one.

Sure, generosity and kindness aren't technically in our D&A job descriptions, but with so many members of the team like Shenika, you might think they were!

Seeking a role with real purpose? Join D&A as Head of Account Management - from strategy to client relationships, it's all about making an impact!

📍 Location: Brighton Head Office or Hybrid
🕙 Hours: 40 hours a week full-time, flexibility can be discussed.
📑 Contract: Permanent
💵Salary: £38 000 – £42 000 per annum

✨ Benefits:
Generous holiday allowance & perks
Comprehensive training & support
Inclusive work environment
Enhanced leave pay & social activities

📝 Apply by 31st March 11pm. Don't miss this chance to make a difference!

Ready to revolutionise your marketing game? Explore the world of intersectional audience engagement with us!

In today's digital world, reaching diverse audiences isn't just about casting a wide net. It's about understanding intersectionality and embracing it fully.

Check out our latest article 'Marketing to an Intersectional Audience: Communications Strategies for Inclusion' to discover why it's crucial for modern campaigns, social media, and internal communications.

Level up your communications and read the blog at https://loom.ly/s0seKhU

Marketing to an Intersectional Audience | D&A | Diversity and Ability Communications Strategies for Inclusion In today's digital age, reaching a diverse audience is about more than just casting a wide net. Understanding the intricacies of audience demographics and recognizing the importance of intersectionality is key. But what exactly does that mean? We’ve previous...

Craving a role with meaning? Become D&A's new Executive Assistant helping CEO Atif Choudhury drive positive change!

📅 Location: Brighton/Hybrid
⏰ Hours: 40/week, flexible
💰 Salary: £26-£34k/annum depending on experience
🚀 Impact: Drive positive social change

✅ Responsibilities:

Manage senior leader's social media
Meeting coordination and calendar management
Communication support to the CEO, especially email management
Admin assistance with expenses, travel and accurate records.

📝 Apply by March 31st!

Welcome back to our "Meet the Team" series! Today, let's get better acquainted with Brigit (she/her), one of our Operations Leads! 👋

Brigit brings her amazing hair and warm smiles to our Brighton office, often beating many of us there and working diligently from 9 am sharp!

She supports our fantastic associates in delivering our one-to-one support, ensuring their experience is as holistic, personalised and supportive as the learners.

Thank you so much, Brigit!

Dive into the latest article by our CEO, Atif Choudhury, featured in Higher Education Digest !

This insightful piece explores the crucial role of intersectionality in shaping the future of higher education. 💡

Discover how our current education system often overlooks the intricate interplay of diverse identities and how this impacts students.

Read the full article at https://loom.ly/_NuxLXE

Navigating Intersectionality: Bridging the Digital Divide in Higher Education - Higher Education Digest Named on the Shaw Trust’s 2023 Disability Power 100, Atif Choudhury is a social entrepreneur with a background in economic justice and disability inclusion. Focusing on the inclusion of marginalised communities, Atif has worked on high-profile social development projects across the world, and spok...

Happy International Women's Day!

Take today to reflect and celebrate women and their achievements. But don't forget we've still got a lot of work to do.

Make sure your feminism is still relevant by ensuring you're being intersectional.

Not sure how? Catch up on our blog. https://loom.ly/QpOlEsI