Awareness raising
Students using sign language
Employees who are disabled will sometimes require managers and colleagues, along with other relevant staff, to be aware of how to interact with them, so that a good professional working relationship is developed and maintained. This needs to be discussed with the individual concerned to establish how they would want their colleagues to be informed and what they want people to know.
For example, an employee with a hearing impairment may use hearing aids and need to lip read in order to communicate effectively. Colleagues and managers will therefore need to be aware of the following essential guidelines:
- Always face the person
- Ensure you speak to the person and not their interpreter (if they use one)
- Always ensure that there are no obstructions in front of your face i.e. hands hiding lips or facial expressions
- Ensure that lighting is sufficient for your face to be seen clearly
- Don't stand or sit in front of a window as your face will be silhouetted and not clearly seen
- Speak clearly
Awareness training sessions are available on the Equality and Diversity training and development page on UDo
If a particular training or development need is identified in a Faculty, Department or a Team please contact the Equality and Diversity Team and we will try to accommodate this.
Next - Reporting accessibility issues relating to the University's Estate
