Since you’ve been gone …
We have welcomed Beth and Isobel to the group. The whole group has been working on reviewing Accessibility Guides and FAQs on both the public and staff pages. We are looking for any out of date, or unclear content, so if you spot anything please let us know.
Over summer we held our first training session for library staff on Accessibility Awareness. A small but enthusiastic group attended, and gave positive feedback about the conversations shared on topics such as lived experience, language and developing empathy.
The Accessibility Group have also been working with our colleagues in Student Health and Wellbeing to deliver a 5 part series of workshops on Neurodiversity Awareness. You can sign up for the next workshop online (now on the 14th March, limited spaces left). The Group plan to cascade the training over the summer, to any staff unable to make the full series or who would like a refresher.
If you’re looking for even more training, please take the Introduction to Accessibility course on Moodle.
The writing on the wall
You may have noticed some posters on noticeboards in the staff kitchen areas at Bayes and Northampton Square, providing information and advice for best practise on different disability and accessibility topics, such as “the cane explained” and designing for screen readers. The board has been refreshed and the latest additions include dos and don’ts on designing for Dyscalculia – a specific and persistent difficulty understanding numbers, and designing for anxiety.
Next time you are waiting for the kettle to boil, or the microwave to ping, have a read and see how you can potentially make your role more inclusive.
Second hand news
Here are some things the group have been watching and reading:
Jay has solved the problem (for one night, at least) of losing your evening scrolling for something to watch! They recommend ‘Then Barbara Met Alan,’ Currently available on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
This student success story highlights the importance of universities offering accessible formats. – Recommended by Felicity
Jessica has just read Considerations of the built environment for autistic individuals: A review of the literatures. There’s lots of ideas in this paper to inform the design of spaces to make them more inclusive, in particular for neurodivergent individuals, such as reducing clutter, improving air quality, considering light, noise and visual distractions.
You’re the voice
The Accessibility Group is here to help everyone increase their confidence in creating a more inclusive environment, so if there are queries you’ve received, situations you’ve encountered where you weren’t sure of the best approach, or you are simply curious about a subject, please let us know and we will be happy to cover your suggestions in upcoming blogs, and future training. Guides and FAQs are always available, but please leave comments and questions below.