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Equality and Diversity

The Equality and Diversity Unit provides a statement of the University's Equality Statement, namely:

The University of Glasgow is committed to promoting equality in all its activities and aims to provide a work, learning, research and teaching environment free from discrimination and unfair treatment.

This section provides links to a number of resources relating to the different diversity strands, and how these relate to learning, teaching and assessment. Information about University of Glasgow policies and action plans can be found through the Equality and Diversity Unit.

Diversity strands:

  • Disability
  • Race Equality
  • Sexual Orientation

General sources of information on equality and diversity.
Case studies of good practice.

Disability

Supporting Students with Disabilities, A guide for Academic Staff

The University is committed to providing a learning and teaching experience that is as inclusive and accessible as possible.

This short guide addresses disabled students’ study arrangements. It provides points of good practice and legal compliance for staff involved in course preparation, teaching and assessment.  Two key issues relate to the requirements a) for course organisers to know which students require adjustments (see paragraph 4.3) and b) for academic staff to provide preparatory material for lectures (see paragraph 5.5). 

Supporting Students with Disabilities (word.doc)

Making Your Teaching Inclusive:

This Open University based website is an outcome of a project designed to help academic staff understand the needs of disabled students and respond effectively to them within teaching, learning and assessment practice.

Just Ask: Integrating Technology Through Design by Shawn Lawton. TechDis says it is: "a new book that helps developers include accessibility in designing websites, software, hardware, and consumer products. It focuses on including real people with disabilities throughout the design process, to develop effective accessibility solutions efficiently."

Teachability

This website provides freely available informative publications for academic staff on how to design accessible curricula for students with disabilities.
 

The University of Glasgow's Disability Equality Scheme.

The University's Disability Equality Scheme was launched on Wednesday 24 January 2007.  The link below takes you to a 15 minute film which was shown at the launch.  The film was produced by our award winning Media Unit.  

Disability Matters short film

Scottish Disability Team

Guidelines for Creating an Accessible Environment

Contents

  • Preferred Language and Common Courtesies
  • Meeting Disabled People
  • Interviewing Disabled People
  • Guidelines for Producing Large Print Information
  • Access Guidelines For Planning an Event

TechDis

TechDis is a JISC funded service which aims to enhance provision for disabled students and staff by the use of technology.  They have produced some useful Accessibility Essentials Guides, to help staff develop more inclusive curricula.  Information about these is available online at: http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=3_20.  The guides currently available are:

Toward a Code for Good Practice in the Supervision of Dyslexic Research Students

The report of a research project in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Glasgow, investigating the issues for a dyslexic student undertaking postgraduate research.  The report provides suggestions for a code of good practice in research supervision.  The project was supported by the University of Glasgow and the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies.

Toward a Code of Good Practice

Beattie Resources for Inclusiveness in Technology and Education (BRITE)

The initiative provides information, advice and training on inclusive education, assessment and enabling technologies. The reources section includes an online guide for dyslexia as well as an online guide for supporting deaf students.

The BRITE Initiative web site

E-bulletins on Inclusive Practice from the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Psychology

They have provided a series of bulletins relating to different issues around inclusive practice.  These include: Competence standards in higher education; Inclusive teaching practices; Inclusive curriculum practice; Student engagement; Inclusive assessment and Inclusive technology.

Supporting disabled students in higher education, a seminar by Hazel Roberts and Dr Phil Gravestock on 22nd March 2008.

This seminar was attended by a number of staff from across the university. The seminar was filmed and edited highlights from this, as well as the associated powerpoint presentation are provided in the following links:

Glasgow Seminar 22 March 2008

Seminar film excerpts:

Race Equality

Race Equality Toolkit: Learning and Teaching

A brief guide to the Universities Scotland Race Equality Toolkit, written by Professor Bob Matthew.
Overview of the Race Equality Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to support academic staff to embed issues of racial equality within the learning, teaching and curriculum design. 

Sexual Orientation

LGBT Equality Toolkit for Higher and Further Education

LGBT Youth have produced 'Taking LGBT Equality Further and Higher' in partnership with Equality Forward, NUS Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council aimed at staff in colleges and universities.

Higher Education Academy's Supporting Learning Resources

This site provides links to the HEA's resources for supporting students and includes introductions to learning, teaching, and curriculum design with respect to disability and widening participation.
 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Resources

This is an American site providing resources for academic staff who wish to create an inclusive institutional environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered students and staff.
 

LGBT Youth Scotland

This website has some useful contacts for academic staff wishing to consider the LGBT aspects of their teaching, learning, and curriculum design.

General sources of information

Equality Forward

Equality Forward supports colleges and universities in Scotland in their work towards ensuring equality for all staff, students and prospective students.

http://www.equalityforwardscotland.ac.uk/

Equality Challenge Unit

This site provides resources covering all areas of equality and diversity within Higher Education including race, religion and belief, gender, sexuality and disabilities.  

American Approaches to Diversity in Higher Education

This is a compendium of campus practices and resources about diversity in Higher Education (sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities

The Higher Education Academy introduced the work of Bonnie Gray and colleagues, who described the Maricopa Community College District Diversity Infusion Program.  This programme enhances the ability of staff to create a positive learning and teaching experience that includes increased awareness, understanding, appreciation, and respect for all people. http://www.maricopa.edu/diversityinfusion/

Another interesting online publication is: Diversity in the College Classroom: A Publication of The Center for Teaching and Learning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Published 1997. http://ctl.unc.edu/tfitoc.html This provides some reflections on different aspects of inclusivity in the classroom.

Case Studies of Good Practice

Inclusive Practice in Earth Sciences