Senedd lit up purple[/caption]
As an employer, we fully support the needs of our disabled staff by providing workplace adjustments such as various options for flexible working, specific equipment to meet their needs or adjusting their sickness absence triggers. We also have supportive staff policies such as a mental health policy, access to an onsite Occupational Health Nurse, an active disability workplace network named EMBRACE and access to a counselling and advice service.
Throughout the year we celebrate and promote disability equality including Disabled Access Day and Mental Health Awareness. We recently launched our Mental Health Network to help us promote mental health and wellbeing within our organisation.
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Photo of Karen, Co Chair of the Assemblys Mindful network, with Alex and Dora the therapy dog.[/caption]
Here are some quotes from some of our disabled staff outlining the support that they receive:
• “I do not feel disabled when I come to work, as I am treated with respect and my skills are appreciated.” • “The willingness with which the Assembly engages with our disability staff network really makes me feel that it values my opinions and experiences. I feel that I am helping to make a real difference to the organisation and its staff.” • “The continued support of the Health and Safety Team has made it easier for me to come to work.”
Our commitment to disability equality and inclusion has been recognised by a number of external bodies. We have been:
• named a Disability Confident employer, • awarded the Action on Hearing Loss Louder than Words Charter Mark, and received one of their Excellence Wales awards, and • accredited by the National Autistic Society as an Autism Friendly organisation.
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Senedd and Autism Friendly logo image[/caption]
We recently retained our accreditation as an Autism Friendly organisation. Joyce Watson AM, the Assembly Member responsible for equality within the Assembly Commission, stated:
“We are delighted to once again be recognised as an organisation that takes the issue of equality of access very seriously. We are here to represent all of the people of Wales and have a duty to ensure that our facilities, services and information are accessible to all.”
The Assembly Commission is the body which provides property, staff and services to support the Assembly Members.
Ann Jones AM, Deputy Presiding Officer said,
“Working together with Embrace and our external partners is vitally important as it helps us keep pace with best practice in relation to removing barriers to access and inclusion. This helps us as an organisation to ensure we make sustainable and meaningful improvements for our staff and the people of Wales.”
If you would like to know more about the Assembly, you can look at our website, or follow us on Twitter or facebook. Information about working at the Assembly is also available on our website. Information for visitors with an autistic spectrum condition is available on our dedicated pages.
If you would like to contact the Diversity Team you can contact us by email at Diversity@Assembly.Wales or by telephone on 0300 200 7455. We welcome calls via text relay and can provide information in alternative formats upon request.