heriot-watt university disability equality scheme 2006 -2009

4. Information Gathering and
Challenges
4.1 The success of this DES is dependent on an acceptance across the
University of the need to work in a way that gives full consideration to
issues relating to disabled students, staff and external users. In order
to demonstrate the impact of the DES it will be essential to collect and
share information in order to monitor change as well as to recognise
and overcome challenges.
i. Collecting and sharing data, keeping users
informed
4.2 In order to demonstrate progress, it is key that we gather information
about student, staff and external users of our services. Heriot-Watt
University is developing systems for gathering information across the
University as part of a wider approach to equalities. This will look at
collecting information on a wide range of equality strands so that
baseline data is available on a year-on-year basis for comparison.
4.3 Processes for gathering information, building on current systems and
the data already held by the University are to be the first step in
understanding who is using our services and the impact of our policies
and procedures on usage and access.
4.4 Information sharing protocols between departments and Schools are to
be established to remove artificial barriers from information sharing.
This is to be developed separately from this DES as it will form the
basis on ongoing wider equalities activity, as part of Heriot-Watt
University’s holistic approach to equalities.
4.5 As part of the process of gathering information it will be important to
demonstrate that the information will be used to lever change, so that
individuals feel that by sharing information they are contributing toward
the overall aim of promoting equality. It is important to continue to
develop ways of keeping students, staff and external users up-to-date
on the changes we have been making and also for us to widely
publicise our good practice.
4.6 The participation of individuals has enabled this DES to be produced
and we are keen to continue to pursue open dialogue that informs how
we take forward our work.
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