Training Sessions - Accessibility - The Essentials
Empowering Your Organisation with Foundational Knowledge
Our essential training sessions are designed to provide your staff with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts related to disability, accessibility, and inclusivity. These sessions are crucial for building a strong foundation of awareness and respect within your organisation.
Key Topics Covered
1. The History of Disability
- Understanding the Past: Explore the evolution of societal attitudes and policies towards disability.
- Lessons Learned: Gain insights into the historical challenges and achievements that have shaped the current landscape of disability rights and advocacy. Analytical learning from data, facts and figures for a deeper comprehension of the timeline of challenges.
- Case Studies: Example in sports and athletics - Paralympics inception compared to now. London 2012 increased the disabled sporting landscape to an astronomical height.
2. The Social Model & Justice Approach
- Social Model of Disability: Learn about the shift from viewing disability as an individual impairment to understanding it as a societal issue. Gain an appreciation of what 'disabled by society' actually means from those with lived experience.
- Justice Approach: Discover how a justice-oriented perspective emphasizes equity, fairness, and the dismantling of barriers for disabled individuals.
3. Intersectionality
- Complex Identities: Understand how various aspects of identity (race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.) intersect with disability. Coaching Coaches to enable them to see beyond the disability. For example in athletics, the Coach must adapt to the athlete and not adapt the athlete to them. Once that is done then life becomes much easier.
- Holistic Inclusion: Learn strategies for creating inclusive environments that acknowledge and address these intersecting identities. A simple example but far too often overlooked, is to hold meetings on the ground floor if you know someone has limited mobility.
4. Language and Communications
- Respectful Communication: Explore the importance of language in shaping perceptions and interactions with disabled individuals. Terminology and how it's communicated is hugely important. An example in athletics coaching is the production of booklets for Coaches clearly stating what they could and couldn’t say.
- Preferred Terminology: Learn about preferred terms and phrases that promote dignity and respect.
5. Introduction to Accessibility
- Fundamentals of Accessibility: Gain an overview of key accessibility principles and practices.
- Implementation Strategies: Learn practical steps to make physical and digital spaces accessible for all.
6. The Cultural Model of Deafness
- Understanding Deaf Culture: Delve into the cultural aspects of Deafness and the unique identity of the Deaf community.
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) Communities: Learn about the experiences, challenges, and contributions of Deaf and HoH individuals.
Why These Sessions Matter
Building a strong foundation in these essential topics is crucial for fostering an inclusive and accessible environment within your organisation. By participating in our training sessions, your staff will:
- Gain Historical Context: Understand the roots of current accessibility practices and policies.
- Adopt Inclusive Perspectives: Embrace a justice-oriented approach to disability and inclusivity.
- Communicate Respectfully: Use language that promotes dignity and respect for all individuals.
- Implement Practical Accessibility: Apply foundational principles to improve accessibility in everyday operations.
- Appreciate Deaf Culture: Recognise and value the unique cultural identity of the Deaf and HoH communities.
Join Us to Learn More
Ready to equip your team with essential knowledge and skills? Contact us to learn more about our training sessions and how we can help your organisation become a leader in accessibility and inclusivity.
