Disability

Second UAB Disability and Inclusion Action Plan 2018-2023 

The Second UAB Disability and Inclusion Action Plan for 2018-2023 (II PAD) restates the UAB’s commitment to guaranteeing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. Following the UAB Equal Opportunities for Persons with a Disability Action Plan (I PAD) 2011-2015, approved in November of 2010, this second Plan is a key tool to develop the university’s disability inclusion and care policies. Beyond legal requirements, the UAB opts for political will, action mainstreaming and the involvement of the whole university community to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities. 

How is a disability and inclusion action plan (PAD) developed? 

The II PAD was developed by the UAB’s Equality and Diversity Service, formerly the Observatory for Equality. This service was in charge of the initial diagnostics, measure proposals, accompaniment when discussing the measures and the writing final draft of the plan. The development process is based on: 

• Assessing the implementation level of the first Plan (I PAD, 2011-2015). 
• Collecting the current regulations regarding disability and university. 
• Updating the data on the situation of people with disabilities at the UAB. 
• Appraisal by the Disabled community of the hardships and obstacles. 

This process had a panel made up of experts (PDI, PAS and students) that agreed on the proposal for lines of action and measures developed by the Equality and Diversity Service. 

What is the II PAD’s structure? 

The action plan includes 32 measures, distributed in four lines of action, with a six-year time frame. The measures include pending actions from the first Plan, permanent actions adapted to the current situation and new actions in response to problems detected in the diagnostics and current regulatory changes. 

Lines of action 

1. Awareness and visibility: Actions to inform about the rights and situation of people with disabilities, advertise the UAB’s policies and actions and promote the full cooperation of this community. 
2. Accessibility and mobility: Measures to ensure physical and virtual accessibility and mobility. 
3. Activity engagement: study, work and promotion: Environment accommodating actions to ensure the engagement in daily activities without difficulties, responding to the specific needs of each individual. 
4. University policies and organisational framework: Actions related to university rules and the management and organisation model. 

For each measure, the following are specified: the responsible entities, the instruments, the goals to accomplish and the implementation schedule. 

What were the results of the last II PAD diagnostics? 

The diagnostics have allowed us to identify aspects to improve, shortcomings, challenges and where we need to dedicate more effort and resources. Some prominent results are: 

• Accessibility and mobility: Need to correct slopes, stairs, ramps, to improve lighting and pathways and to control the use of parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities. 
• Activity engagement: Lack of knowledge and support by the teaching and other personnel, emphasizing the need of training and raising awareness on disability. 
• Equality policies: Need to advertise the equality policies on disability and promoting the implementation of this topic in research and teaching. 

Policy Commitment 

The design of the II PAD’s measures is also based on the disability regulatory frameworks at state, European and international levels. The plan is governed by: 

• Recognition of the right of people with disabilities to education and work. 
• Prohibition of disability discrimination in education or work environments.
• Compulsory implementation of inclusive measures to ensure equal opportunities.