27/11/2025
BCHC's first UK Disability History Month event was being held today, with a wide range of information about the range of support available to colleagues, and updates on progress made thanks to the support of our disability and neurodiversity staff network.
Talks and resources were also provided by Autism West Midlands, the British Dyslexia Association and Birmingham Disability Resource Centre.
Opening the day, Richard Kirby said: "The disability and neurodiversity staff network plays a really important role. The much used phrase 'critical friend' is the right one; and we have had some tough conversations - but sometimes that's what friends need to do.
"Some of the work we have been able to do together has come from that engagement and I appreciate the network's job in holding us to account and helping us get this right. But while I want to celebrate our achievements, I don't want that to be mistaken as a sign that we think there isn't much more to do.
"As a trust that has made a big commitment to some very big values, including being inclusive, caring and respectful; as a trust that is committed to being a great place to work, and that cares for people with a wide range of needs, if we didn't continually work to get better at supporting people with disability and neurodiversity, then we would be failing to live up to those ambitions.
"So these occasions and events really matter, not only because of the work we can do while we're together, but also because of the wider signal that is sent beyond the room. So, a really big 'thank you' to the network for organising it and for the work that they do."
https://ukdhm.org/
