<![CDATA[Newsroom University of Manchester]]> /about/news/ en Wed, 05 Feb 2025 18:49:17 +0100 Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:40:51 +0100 <![CDATA[Newsroom University of Manchester]]> https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1369.jpg /about/news/ 144 University champions disability inclusion with book launch for inspiring academic /about/news/book-launch-for-inspiring-academic/ /about/news/book-launch-for-inspiring-academic/686956As part of its efforts to promote disability inclusion and empowerment within the academic community, The University of Manchester is set to host the launch of Beyond the Chair, a compelling memoir by disabled scholar Dr Paul Doyle.

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As part of its efforts to promote disability inclusion and empowerment within the academic community, The University of Manchester is set to host the launch of Beyond the Chair, a compelling memoir by disabled scholar Dr Paul Doyle.

Despite the profound impact of Cerebral Palsy on his motor functions and speech, Dr Doyle has completed a PhD in disability studies as well as writing this insightful book to share his experiences and inspire others.

Dr Doyle chose to launch his book at The University of Manchester in recognition of the institution's significant efforts to increase disability inclusion in recent years. The University's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment was recently acknowledged with the prestigious Disability Confident Leader status, reflecting its dedication to supporting disabled staff and students. 

The connection between Dr Doyle and the University was facilitated by Dr Hamied Haroon, a distinguished biomedical researcher based at Manchester who has overcome his own challenges with a disability, and is also renowned for his leadership in advocating for the rights and opportunities of disabled individuals in academia.

Dr Haroon introduced Dr Doyle to the university's Disabled Staff Network, the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures (SALC), and the Faculty of Humanities. These bodies have collectively agreed to fund and host the book launch, underscoring the university's commitment to inclusivity and support for disabled scholars.

The event will include a reading by Dr Doyle and his personal assistant, followed by a Q&A session hosted by the University青瓜视频檚 Academic Lead for Disability EDI Professor Jackie Carter, a Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 lister who is celebrated for her dedication to equality, diversity and inclusion within the academic community. 

After the Q&A, attendees will be able to engage with Dr Doyle and other attendees at a book signing and networking event, where they will be able to discuss his journey, and explore the themes of resilience and determination detailed in his book. Refreshments will be available. 

It will take place on Friday 21 February from 4pm in Ellen Wilkinson Building Room C1.18, before moving to the Atrium. All are welcome to attend.

青瓜视频淢y book is based on my PhD, and the fieldwork for my degree took place at a special school,青瓜视频 said Dr Doyle. 青瓜视频淭he young people and I formed advocacy groups in which we talked about leaving school. As I have very severe Cerebral Palsy, I was able to talk about my own experiences of leaving special school with no qualifications at all, and transitioning to a mainstream college. I have had to convince people that I am able to achieve a high educational status.青瓜视频

青瓜视频淚青瓜视频檇 like to thank The University of Manchester - I feel honoured to have my book launch there. I feel that the subject and the message of my book needs to be distributed around the world, and the University is part of my journey.青瓜视频

青瓜视频淧aul青瓜视频檚 book offers a profound insight into his experiences, challenges and triumphs, serving as a beacon of inspiration for people facing similar obstacles 青瓜视频 we are proud he chose The University of Manchester to be the place where he launches his book,青瓜视频 said Professor Jackie Carter.

青瓜视频淚 run the Disabled Staff Network and Disabled PGR group, and it is amazing how far the University has progressed in the past two years in its mission to promote disability inclusion and empowerment,青瓜视频 said Laura Howard. 青瓜视频淲hat people like Jackie Carter, Kathy Bradley and Melissa Westwood have achieved in that time is mind-blowing - they've managed to raise the profile of disability so much that we now get departments coming to us to seek feedback on ways they can improve.青瓜视频

For more information about The University of Manchester's initiatives in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, visit the .

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University awarded Disability Confident Leader status /about/news/university-awarded-disability-confident-leader-status/ /about/news/university-awarded-disability-confident-leader-status/618884University of Manchester is one of 13 UK universities to be awarded Disability Confident Leader status.

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The University of Manchester has been awarded Disability Confident Leader status following a Disability Confident submission and its validation by the .  The University is one of only three in the Russell Group and 13 UK universities to be awarded this status. 

The Disability Confident scheme, accredited by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), helps employers recruit, retain and train great people. Disability Confident organisations play a leading role in changing attitudes about, and increasing understanding of, disability. There are three levels of the scheme with Leader being the highest.  

The University's Disability Confident Leader submission focused on the people we employ including staff, PGRs, apprentices, and those undertaking work experience and work placements. It also highlighted how data is reported and includes an ongoing commitment to annually report the Disability Pay Gap. 

The successful Disability Confident Leader application was based on evidence generated through conversations with colleagues in the Disabled Staff Network and across the University about their lived experiences and professional practice.  The reporting captured both positive and negative experiences and reflected these honestly in the submission.  

The application focuses on all three pillars of the :  

  • Inclusive Environments and Cultures; 
  • Diversity and Equity in our community; 
  • Inclusive Practice. 

The University was able to demonstrate how it strives to be disability-inclusive and endeavour to ensure that disabled colleagues feel they belong, and that the University is a great place to work, whilst recognising that there is work to be done in achieving this. 

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It is only the beginning of the University's leadership journey comments provided by the Business Disability Forum will be used to co-create a robust action plan.   

Actions will be assigned to individuals to track progress and ensure accountability. Everyone has a role to play in eliminating discrimination and advancing disability equality. 

More information 

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Manchester professor makes disability power list /about/news/manchester-professor-makes-disability-power-list/ /about/news/manchester-professor-makes-disability-power-list/522872A Professor of Social Work from The University of Manchester has been recognised as one of the UK青瓜视频檚 most influential disabled people.

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A Professor of Social Work from The University of Manchester has been recognised as one of the UK青瓜视频檚 most influential disabled people.

Professor Alys Young, who is also s deputy lead for the Outcomes programme in the Hearing Health theme for says she青瓜视频檚 delighted to have made  the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 .

She follows in the footsteps of Jess Boland, Senior Lecturer in Functional Materials and co-chair of The University青瓜视频檚 disabled staff network, who was on the list last year.

Professor Young is a co-leader of the Social Research with Deaf People research group which works in British Sign Language focussing on inequalities in health and social care affecting d/Deaf people.

She said: 青瓜视频淗aving lived with a serious debilitating condition most of my adult life, a great deal of my research work and academic teaching and student support is driven by a commitment to social justice, in all its forms.

青瓜视频淎nything I am able to do to unlock the latent potential and talents of others is a key motivator in redressing the consequences of structural and interpersonal inequalities.青瓜视频

A former Academic Lead for Disability Equality at the university of Manchester, she is also a distinguished visiting professor at the Centre for Deaf Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

She was conferred a fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2016 in recognition of her contribution to the field of social research with d/Deaf people, and to social work.

In 2016, she won the Times Higher Award for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year and is also a Senior Fellow of NIHR SSCR.

She currently leads the national longitudinal study of deaf youth in transition to and the first study of the impact of interpreter mediated Mental Health Act

The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 aims to showcase the capabilities and strengths of Disabled People and the prejudice they often encounter.

Nationally and internationally recognized, it celebrates the most influential disabled people in the UK, nominated by the public and judged by an independent panel.

More than 20% of people have an impairment and too often society sees disability before capability, unintentionally excluding Disabled People, muting their impact and limiting inclusion.

Disabled people navigate an inaccessible world, equipping them with unique perspectives, expertise and experience that is often overlooked.

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Poorer health in disabled linked to lack of home adaptations /about/news/poorer-health-in-disabled-linked-to-lack-of-home-adaptations/ /about/news/poorer-health-in-disabled-linked-to-lack-of-home-adaptations/503784Older people with mobility problems living without home adaptations have poorer health and higher levels of pain, according to researchers at The Universities of Manchester and Hong Kong.

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Older people with mobility problems living without home adaptations have poorer health and higher levels of pain, according to researchers at The Universities of Manchester and Hong Kong.

The study of English data, published today in Lancet Regional Health Europe (05/05/22) also links the lack of adaptations to not being able to participate in social activities and having to move home within two years.

The  analysis, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, followed over 10,000 adults aged 60 and over living at home in England for an average of 11 years using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

The team compared older adults with and without mobility impairments living in homes that had been accommodated to their disability or that had remained unadjusted.

Among those with severe mobility impairments, home adaptions reduced the probability of falls by 3%, pain by 6%, and poor health by 4% compared to disabled adults coping without help.

Modifications for external access also increased the chances that people could go out of their home and participate in social life by 6% and enabled them to remain in their home for at least the next two years by 4%.

The adaptions they studied include widened doorways, access ramps, automatic doors, accessible parking, handrails and bathroom or kitchen modifications.

Lead author Honorary Professor Tarani Chandola from The University of Manchester said: 青瓜视频淢obility impairment is the most prevalent form of disability facing older adults today and includes difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, and getting up after sitting.

青瓜视频淏ut most of the housing stock in the UK is poorly designed for a rapidly ageing population, with only 7% of homes in England in 2014 meeting the minimum standard of accessibility.

青瓜视频淥ver 70% of older adults with a mobility impairment in England live in a home without an accommodation for their disability.青瓜视频

Participants in the survey were asked if their homes had external modifications such as widened doorways, ramps, automatic doors, parking and a lift and internal modifications such as rails, bathroom/kitchen modifications and a chair lift.

Mobility impairment was measured through reported difficulties in 10 activities including walking, climbing, getting up, reaching and lifting.

Five disability outcomes were analysed: falls in the previous two years, pain, poor self-rated health, no social activities, and moving home within next two years.

Until now, medical researchers often bundled up housing modifications with clinical or non-clinical interventions such as advice from a physiotherapist or exercise therapy, making it hard to separate the specific effect of home adaptations.

But thanks to the study, the team has been able to make a compelling case for additional investment in such home adaptations by policy makers.

He added: 青瓜视频淥ur study highlights how this topic has received little attention in debates about health and social care services.

青瓜视频淲e now have strong and consistent evidence that housing adaptations can prevent a deterioration in the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of disabled older adults.

青瓜视频淭hat is why improving the quality of our housing is essential for achieving healthy ageing in the community.青瓜视频

The paper is available here:

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