Lack of support for disabled teachers


More than half (52%) of disabled teachers have been discriminated against, isolated or excluded at work because of their disability, a conference organised by the NASUWT teaching union, has heard.


Delegates raised serious concerns about the lack of support for disabled teachers in the workplace, including a lack of access to reasonable adjustments and discriminatory attitudes from employers and colleagues in schools.


The results of a real-time electronic poll of delegates included:


• over half (52%) have been discriminated against, isolated or excluded at work because of their disability;


• almost three in five (58%) have experienced difficulties when requesting reasonable adjustments while working as a teacher; and


• two-thirds (65%) have considered leaving their job or the teaching profession because of how they have been treated due to their disability.


Disabled teachers said the top priority for ensuring equality for disabled teachers is the need for regulation of employer policies and practices.


Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “The assault on worker’s rights has had a profoundly damaging effect on disabled workers, who are most at risk to precarious forms of employment, discrimination and blacklisting by employers and employment agencies.


“No teacher should be forced to hide their disabilities or struggle without the reasonable adjustments they need to be able to do their jobs."


www.nasuwt.org.uk/Whatsnew/NASUWTNews/PressReleases/NASUWT_015858