Disability & Neurodiverse Network
The Disability & Neurodiverse Network is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment where individuals with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions can thrive. Our purpose is to champion accessibility, advocate for greater understanding, and celebrate the strengths and achievements of people with disabilities and neurodiverse experiences.
The goals of this network are to:
- Enhance Accessibility and Inclusivity on the BIOS Website: Review and improve website content to ensure accessibility for all users, advocating for inclusivity in digital resources and information.
- Provide Support and Resources for BIOS Members and Leadership: Offer guidance and resources to BIOS members, leadership, and teams, fostering a supportive community and promoting best practices for inclusion and accessibility.
- Raise Awareness Through Inclusive Communication Channels: Utilise diverse communication platforms to educate and inform on disability-related topics, raise awareness about challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and highlight their contributions within the orthoptic profession.
- Establish Measures to Track Impact of the Diversity Network: Establish metrics to assess the network’s impact, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability in our efforts to create an inclusive environment.
Network activities will include:
- Meetings: Hold regular meetings to bring together Disability Diversity Champions and Leads, discussing key initiatives, challenges and achievements within the diversity.
- Awareness Campaigns: Plan and execute campaigns to highlight important EDI calendar dates relevant to the Diversity Network, such as ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ and ‘Disability History Month’.
- Ideas and Initiatives: Create a safe open space for Diversity network members to discuss and coordinate new ideas/ initiatives to tackle known barriers, address current and emerging challenges, and develop practical solutions that promote greater accessibility to diversity values.
- Success Stories: Share inspiring stories of individuals within the network to motivate others, such as stories of EDI ‘best practice’ that could be replicated in other Orthoptic departments.
- Resource and Communication Management: Stay informed on relevant topics to keep communications and resources up to date, including website content, online resources, diversity calendars, social media, and email communications.
- Support: Collaborate as a group to review newly reported issues or queries shared by BIOS members through the EDI Lead to provide targeted support from within the diversity network. Serve as an advisor to BIOS on upcoming communications, event planning, and other relevant initiatives.
- Reporting: Regularly report progress on objectives to the EDI Lead.
Toolkit for Managing Diversity Meetings
- Agenda template and Action Log
- Report template
- EDI Calendar
- Faith Calendar
- Social Media examples
- BIOS templates
- Access to BIOS email address