Disabled Staff and Postgraduate Students Forum
he Forum for Disabled Staff and Postgraduate Students in Trinity College Dublin provides a voice for disability equality within the University. It offers disabled people an opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and act to inform and enhance institutional policy. The Forum has been established and is run by disabled staff and Ph.D. researchers, supported by the EDI Unit. The Forum takes a very relaxed and open approach and you do not have to disclose your disability. The Forum has a large membership from across the University.
Activities
Established in March 2020, the Forum has already had a significant impact, resulting in the appointment of a Disability Officer from the Forum membership to the Graduate Students’ Union. It has presented to the Equality Committee a range of issues affecting disabled people in the College leading to an agreement to form a Sub-Group of the Equality Committee the Staff Disability Working Group. The Forum holds a range of events throughout the year decided by its membership. Events so far have included themes such as:
- Barriers and enablers to engagement in the TCD community
- Supports available for disabled Ph.D. students
- Ableism and academia
The organisation of these events has been supported by a range of different departments and individuals from across the institution with an interest, lived experience, or expertise in disability equality.
Reports
Shifting Sands: Disability and Reasonable Accommodations in the Covid/Post Covid Higher Education Environment (October 2022)
The conference, organised by the TCD Forum for Disabled Staff and Postgraduate Students heard from keynote speaker Gareth Noble LLB on the rights of disabled people to Reasonable Accommodations (RAs), and through a panel discussion attendees learnt about the experiences of disabled staff and postgraduate students in higher education when accessing RAs. The conference came to a close after a breakout session, which gave attendees an opportunity to share their experiences and offer solutions to barriers experienced.
Read the report: Disability and Reasonable Accommodations in Covid/Post Covid HE
Ableism in Academia in Ireland (December 2021)
Launched to mark International Day for Persons with Disabilities, this report paints a picture of the under-representation of disabled people in academic employment in Ireland and underlines that those employed face a number of significant hurdles linked to ableism. The report will act as a catalyst for further discussion and action within academia and inform developments at the national level involving the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science. The report was launched at an online event where a panel of experts discussed the report and the theme for 2021 International Day for Persons with Disabilities – Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 world.
Read the report: Ableism in Academia in Ireland
You can also view an edited recording of the Ableism in Academia online seminar from 17 August 2021 organised and hosted by the Forum.
If you require these reports in formats other than a PDF please email equality@tcd.ie
Monthly Social Event
The forum also hosts a “Virtual Tea” on the first Friday of each month from 11 – 11.30 am. This is an informal get-together that allows people to get to know each other and have a chat. This is a great way to decide if this group is for you and allows you to dip in and out as you choose. You are expected to bring a cup of tea or coffee and plenty of chat!
Join our mailing list
If you would like to be kept updated about our events, please join our mailing list.
Committee
The forum was established by Vivian Rath, a Ph.D. researcher, and disabled person, having approached the Associate Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the EDI Unit.
Contact
If you would like more information about the Forum, want to join our mailing list, or become actively involved please email equality@tcd.ie.
When the Ph.D. journey gave me lemons, I made the best of lemonade- insights from Dr. Vivian Rath
A keynote address from the 2021 School of Education PGR conference by Dr. Vivian Rath, a Ph.D. graduate of the School of Education. Dr. Rath gives an insight into his Ph.D. journey as a student with a disability.
Watch here