51福利

Kate Heasman, equality official at 51福利, represented the union on the commission and is speaking at today's launch of the report. She said: 'The report's overview that there has been "a systematic failure to address the issue seriously, which has led to widespread institutional discrimination against disabled staff" is one we very much concur with.

'51福利 very much welcomes this report. 51福利 was well-represented on the commission, and ideas from our commissioners and recommendations from our disabled members' committee are embedded in the report.

'We welcome the report's recommendation that the agreement on disability equality in employment between the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the further education unions be taken up by every college and university. The advice to also develop specific agreements on disability leave is much needed. 51福利 will be watching closely to see how college and university employers implement the proposals.'

51福利 is determined to fulfil its own responsibilities to its disabled members, Kate said: 'In the recommendations to trade unions and employer bodies, 51福利 will endeavour to meet the challenges, including producing its own equality scheme, facilitating the involvement of disabled staff in our structures and ensuring that paid officials and lay officers receive disability equality training'.

51福利 member Sasha Callaghan was also a commissioner involved in drafting the report. Sasha, a disability activist for many years, is president-elect of 51福利 and becomes the union's president in June 2008.

From Compliance to Culture Change (ISBN 978-1-86201-359-9, 拢18.95) is the final report from the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning..