3 December 2013, was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. To mark the day, a small invited group of staff and learners met to launch two new workforce equality resources designed to break barriers and open doors for disabled staff to make our sector inclusive for all:

1. Effective Inclusive Practice - ‘Top tips for supporting Deaf and disabled staff in education and training organisations’: Ideas for HR staff and line managers on how best to support and empower disabled staff. The content was developed by disabled staff, as part of the Inclusion Challenge - positive action and professional development for disabled staff in the learning and skills sector. The inclusive video fomat  (with audio, subtitles, BSL and images) was the Heart of Deafness social enterprise's very first first commission to produce video. (If you joined us at the EDI 4^definition dissemination event at Capel Manor College on 10 July 2013 you may remember some of the Deaf learners involved in Heart of Deafness. If you missed them - check out this YouTube link: http://youtu.be/jaL9gjSKzqI )

2. Improving Course Tutor Files: A case study describing how mind-mapping software is providing an alternative method of developing a course file for a dyslexic tutor who found existing paperwork requirements for tutors challenging.

We'd love to get your feedback on both these resources - just login to the website to be able to post comments or questions to this news story. 

For background information and other related information and resources check out the entries for these resources in our virtual library