Calling all disabled and neurodivergent members
Equality is a trade union principle and is a priority for the FBU. A core part of that commitment is to give a voice to under-represented groups in our union.
Following discussion at conference 2023, we are beginning to better understand how we can support another group of under-represented members: those who are disabled and/or neurodivergent (D&ND).
Our union, much like the communities our members serve, includes people with minds and bodies of all kinds and functions, whether they are disabled, with visual, auditory, physical, or psychiatric impairments, or neurodivergent, with autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, or Tourette’s.
Unfortunately, D&ND workers are disproportionately likely to face discrimination and harassment at work, as well as facing additional barriers and challenges caused by workplace policies and practices that are designed by and for non-disabled people. In the worst cases, some are unfairly subject to disciplinary and capability procedures.
For this reason, it is important that we organise and build our capacity to take on employers and demand that they remove the barriers, challenges and discrimination our D&ND members face.
We are building that capacity by training reps to understand and tackle the issues with our Dyslexia and Neurodiversity in the Workplace course, but this is just the start of the journey and it is vital that our next steps are led by those who are experts in this field – you.
For this reason, we are running a Disabled and Neurodivergent Members Forum early in the new year in order to develop the union’s approach to organising D&ND members.
It is an opportunity to share your experiences, raise issues that are relevant in your workplaces, and formulate collective demands.
This is a chance to be involved in one of the first forums of this kind anywhere across the trade union movement and we need you to be a part of it to ensure that the voice of D&ND members is organised and effective.
It will be a hybrid meeting, open to all members and officials who are disabled and/or neurodivergent.
Further information on dates and location will be available soon.
