About us

Draft Terms of Reference (to be approved at our Upcoming AGM)

Aim

The aim of the Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network is two-fold: to provide staff members with safe and inclusive spaces within the UCC context to gain support, build camaraderie, and network with like-minded peers; and to work in collaboration with the wider university community to enable greater understanding of disability and/or neurodivergence through advocacy, information sharing, and liasing with student groups. The Network is open to all members of staff who consider themselves to have an impairment/disability or long-term health/medical condition, and any staff member who is, or considers themselves to be, neurodivergent, and their allies.

Objectives

To enable the creation of safe, inclusive, and neuro-affirmative spaces for disabled/neurodivergent staff members, alongside allies, to gain support, meet like-minded peers and build camaraderie.
To enable wider understanding of disability/neurodivergence through the creation of information sharing events (seminars, coffee mornings, guest speakers).
To promote disability/neurodivergence equality through active involvement and consultation on the University's plans, strategies, policies, and guidance.
To provide a forum for support and advocacy for disabled/neurodivergent staff members when encountering difficulties.
To work with the EDI and People and Culture to develop effective solutions to any problems encountered.
To form rapport with similar groups, including the Neurodiversity Society in UCC, to enable best practice and greater understanding within the UCC context.
To signpost staff to appropriate resources, in relation to disability and neurodivergence support, and equality.
To progress issues relating to disability and neurodivergence within UCC.

Committee

Use the cards below to find out more about the people coordinating the activities of the Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network

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History of the network

Background

Katie Marah, a PhD Candidate in the School of Applied Social Studies established an informal network for neurodivergent staff. This network held regular meetings to enable staff, including PhD students, a safe space to connect with like-minded people. In parallel, Siobhán O'Neill, was working towards setting up a network for disabled staff. At this point, Kirsten Hurley connected the two and in January 2024 they started working towards creating the Staff Disability and Neurodivergence Network with the EDI.

Network Launch

The Network was launched on Thursday July 18th, 2024 in the Creative Zone in Boole Library. The Network was introduced by Dr Avril Hutch, EDI Director, and the proceedings were opened by Prof John O'Halloran, President. Katie Marah spoke about the Network, why it was created, who will benefit, and what the Network hopes to achieve. This was followed by a panel discussion between UCC staff Angela Long, Siobhán O'Neill, Eleanor McSherry, and Dr Noel O'Connell on what visibility and inclusion looks like for staff with disabilities and neurodivergent staff. This panel was chaired by Dr Hutch.