Resources and Support

Here you can find further information, resources and support relating to disability, available at Queen Mary and externally.

Note, you should also read our other pages on disability, reasonable adjustments and Access to Work.

Queen Mary resources and support for disabled staff

• Building Access: for full access and route guides to all Queen Mary campuses visit: AccessAble.
• Employee Assistance Programme: free, confidential and independent service which provides information, resources, referrals and counselling on any issue that matters to you.
• Mental health support:
• Mental Health First Aiders: you can speak to a Mental Health First Aider here.
• If you are experiencing mental health difficulties at work, Remploy’s Workplace Mental Health Support Service is free and complements any existing occupational health service. 
• Togetherall (previously Big White Wall): free online support
• Wellbeing pages: information and resources about supporting your and your colleagues’ wellbeing.
• Pre-employment screening: Occupational Health provide a confidential pre-employment health screening service, which is fully compliant with the Equality Act 2010. This will ensure that, with your consent, your manager is aware of and advised on any health issues that may be affected by work (or that may affect your ability to work) and recommend any reasonable adjustments that may need to be put into place. For further details visit: Pre-employment screening.
• Emergency evacuation of disabled people: Health and Safety formulate evacuation plans for disabled people to assist them in evacuating the College building safely in an emergency situation. If you have declared a disability/health condition, you may need a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP). Your manager should work with you to establish and agree a PEEP. You contact the Health and Safety Directorate for support with this process.
• Dignity at Work: find out more about how we deal with harassment and bullying.
• Support for disabled students: These pages only cover support for disabled staff at Queen Mary. The Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) offers support for all students with disabilities, specific learning differences and mental health issues at Queen Mary. You can find out more about the DDS and how it can support students on their website here.
• Any other questions? Contact your HR Adviser.

If you have any feedback or comments on these pages or anything else relating to support for disabled staff at Queen Mary, please get in touch with Daisy Crowfoot (d.crowfoot@qmul.ac.uk), who works in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team.

Guidance on running inclusive and accessible meetings and events 

• How to Run Accessible Online Meetings for disabled people working and studying from home: a webinar with a recording and slides available
• NHS Guidance on Making Meetings Accessible
• Inclusive Conference Guide from Kings College London: a practical guide for event organisers to help create inclusive and accessible conferences
• Alexwlchan’s ideas for inclusive/accessible events: there is a short and long version of this incredibly useful guide for inclusive and accessible events

Other information and resources relating to disability

• The Social Model of Disability (explained by Scope): a way of viewing the world, developed by disabled people.
• EDI Books and Podcasts: a list of some recommended books and podcasts relating to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, including disability.
• Information on reasonable adjustments:
• Citizens Advice: Asking your employer for changes to help you if you’re disabled
• Equality Human Rights Commission: In employment: Workplace adjustments
• UK: Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions
• Time to Change at Queen Mary
• Time to Talk at Queen Mary 

External organisations and support

• Action on Hearing Loss – a charity supporting deaf people and those with hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Anxiety UK – provides a helpline and online information about a wide range of anxiety conditions and disorders.
• Business Disability Forum - a not-for-profit member organisation that makes it easier and more rewarding to do business with and employ disabled people
• Disability Rights UK - campaign organisation led by people with diverse experiences of disability and health conditions, from different communities
• Heads Together – changing the conversation and tackling the stigma around mental health. Resources and support can be accessed through Heads Together.
• Learning Disability England – works to make life better for and within people with learning disabilities and their families 
• Mental Health Foundation – a charity, whose mission is "to help people to thrive through understanding, protecting, and sustaining their mental health."
• Mind – a mental health charity which campaigns for support and respect for mental health
• MindOut – a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people with experience of mental health issues.
• National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN) – a super-network that connects and represents disabled staff networks
• National Autistic Society – the UK’s largest provider of specialist autism services.
• OCD UK - provide evidence-based information, advice and support to those affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
• People First - an organisation run by and for people with learning difficulties.
• RNIB – a leading sight loss charity and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people.
• Samaritans – whatever you’re going through, you can call at any time, from any phone for free.
• SANEline – out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
• Scope – the disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed, and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society.

If you have any additional resources or organisations you think we should be signposting to, please tell us at hr-equality@qmul.ac.uk.