Results of our survey of colleagues who are living with a disability or neurodiversity

As part of our on-going work to understand and improve the working lives of all our colleagues within EEAST, we recently commissioned surveys of colleagues who are living with a disability or neurodiversity.

We are now able to share these results of the disability and neurodiversity survey with you all.

We received a high response from colleagues (72%), so thank you to everyone who took part. We know that we still have much further to go in making our Trust an inclusive environment for everyone.

The key areas to improve include:

• Of our colleagues who identify as disabled, just over 40% felt that requests for reasonable adjustments and considered and accommodated.
• Only a third believe suitable career development, advancement and training opportunities are equally available to all staff in EEAST.
• With the same proportion saying that their manager has sufficient understanding about how their disability affects them and how workplace approaches and expectations might need to be adjusted.
• People feel there is a lack of awareness leading to discrimination and the use of inappropriate nicknames, terminology and language. Respondents also felt that concerns were not always dealt with effectively.
• Ensuring that we have the possible data on the numbers of colleagues who are living with a disability

We have a three-year plan to make EEAST a more inclusive place to work and have a skilled team in the strategy, culture and education directorate to drive forward this plan.

The plan includes:

• Developing guidance on acceptable language.
• A portal to report unacceptable language or behaviour.
• Reviewing our disability policies.
• All managers attending disability awareness training.
• Accessible audits of all EEAST sites.
• Including disability modules as part of induction.

We need all colleagues to play their part in this. Firstly, we are aware that we may not have a complete picture of everyone who is living with a disability – so please make sure you update this section on ESR.

Secondly, and very importantly, if you see any discriminatory behaviours, or if you have been affected by these reports, please speak out and formally report any behaviours so that these can be fully investigated and acted upon.

You can report this behaviour via:

• Caroline Nwadu, Head of Culture and Inclusivity
• Freedom Speak Up Guardian or local champion
• Your local cultural ambassador
• Your manager
• OCE EEAST

Published 5th May 2023