College Statement

Our declared objective is to be a College which is open to all sections of the community and in whose activities all individuals, whether staff or students, are encouraged to participate fully and equally. Our aim is to be a truly inclusive organisation where individual differences are respected, where staff and students are treated solely on their merits and where everyone has a fair opportunity to fulfil their potential. Implementing the duty will help close the gap between the expectations, experiences, education, qualifications and employment of disabled and non disabled people.

The College has a long history in promoting disability equality and the Disability Equality Scheme recognises the positive initiatives undertaken over a number of years to make our services, policies, practices and buildings as accessible as possible. It highlights our progress on disability equality to date, where there are gaps, where we can make improvements in policies and practices and our responsibility to promote disability equality.

We believe that our Disability Equality Scheme will provide the essential framework for promoting disability equality across the College, and for making a positive and lasting difference to the experiences of our disabled students and staff. We also intend to make clear the Colleges policy and requirements where functions that impact on disability equality are carried out through service agreements or partnerships with other organisations.

We welcome the new statutory duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 for Public Authorities to take a pro-active approach to the promotion of disability equality.

Mr G Van der Lely
Chair of Corporation 6th December 2006

Mr. M. Wharton
Principal 6th December 2006