Disability History Month 2023
Disability History Month is taking place between 16 November and 16 December 2023. This year, we are focusing on how to lead the change to tackle discrimination and support disabled people working across the health and care sector.
This is an exciting opportunity to recognise and celebrate the 1 in 5 NHS people who bring personal lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions to their careers, teams, leadership and patient care.
According to the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES) 2022 one third of disabled staff reported having experienced bullying, harassment or abuse from patients, service users or the public. Around a fifth stated experiencing this from managers and one quarter from colleagues. This is notably higher than that experienced by non-disabled staff and demonstrates the work we need to do to create workplaces that are open, inclusive and a place where everyone feels like they belong.
Disability Summit 2023: Lead the Change
Our key event for Disability History Month 2023 is our virtual Disability Summit taking place on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 November 2023.
The Summit features a diverse range of speakers from both within and outside of healthcare, including Jamie Shields, Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson DBE, Dr Navina Evans CBE, Libby Clegg MBE and Steve Brine MP.
It will focus on three main themes:
- Data and objectives - creating an evidence base for change.
- Inclusive recruitment and careers.
- Making the health and social care sector a safe and welcoming place to work for disabled people.
We encourage senior leaders, managers, occupational health colleagues, trade unions, HR and equality practitioners, disabled staff/students and disabled staff network chairs and anyone else with in an interest in disability to attend the event.