Disability Confident

What is the Disability Confident scheme

The Disability Confident scheme was developed by employers and disabled people's representatives to support employers make the most of the talents of disabled people. The OU is among over 18,000 organisations who are committed to change attitudes towards disabled people in the workplace for the better, through their products and services, recruitment and facilities.

You can read more here: Why you should become Disability Confident?

The OU attains Disability Confident status

In July 2020 the OU attained Disability Confident (Committed Level 1) on its first assessment.

The OU has signed up to the following 5 commitments:

•  An inclusive and accessible recruitment process
•  Clear communication and promotion of vacancies
•  Offer an interview to disabled people
•  To anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required
•  To support any existing employee who acquires disability of long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

Next Steps

Disability Confident Level 1 is just the beginning, as the University is committed to improve and implement measures that ensure we meet and exceed the needs of our disabled staff and students. For the period 2020-24, some of our disability-related objectives include:

• Reduce the attainment gap experienced by disabled students and non-disabled students
• Increase the representation of disabled staff in senior roles
• Increase the leadership potential of disabled staff