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Website Rationale and Aims

This website has been set up by Dr. Andy Tyerman, a retired consultant clinical neuropsychologist as a response to the WHO call for urgent action to reduce disability related health inequities in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006).   It was also prompted by many reports of disability discrimination in clinical psychology training / practice, as well as in running a brain injury vocational rehabilitation programme and NHS service management.  This reflects a lack of training in the requirement for health professionals  to raise awareness, promote and support the rights of persons with disability under the UNCRPD and UK Equality Act 2010.   


As a result many people experience disability discrimination. Currently health and other professionals are at risk of complaints, disciplinary action, legal claims and regulatory body sanction, particularly with new HCPC and other standards.  The resources (outlined below) are however not specific to health professionals , with much wider application:    The website has the following aims: 

  1. To raise awareness of disability discrimination and promote equity.  
  2. To provide basic information on disability rights and the Equality Act.   
  3. To assist practitioners in reviewing their current practice. 
  4. To signpost practitioners to guidance relevant to their practice.   


Whilst the initial focus is to highlight and reduce discriminatory practices, the resources also provide information for those who have experienced disability discrimination. As such, the recommended reading includes guidance for service-users, employees & students/trainees, as well as for practitioners, employers and course tutors.             

    

Feedback:  

Any feedback on the website and resources (see below) would be very welcome, particularly any lack of clarity or concerns about accuracy . If you find the resources helpful, please share this with your colleagues. Please contact me with any suggestions or if interested in assisting with further developments.    


NB The resources do not provide legal advice. See full disclaimer below. 

    

Website Content

1. Context and Concerns about Disability Discrimination

2. Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ)

2. Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ)

Please click on the Context tab for the following:


Summary of the concerns about disability discrimination.


Article on disability rights / discrimination: outlining WHO call for urgent action: key aspects of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the lack of enforcement of the Equality Act, professional responsibilities and examples of discrimination (Tyerman, 2023).




2. Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ)

2. Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ)

2. Disability Discrimination Awareness Questionnaire (DDAQ)

Please click on the DDAQ tab for the following:


Summary and Link to the DDAQ to review your awareness of disability rights and disability discrimination in the context of the Equality Act.  The DDAQ is designed to be completed on-line in Google Forms. On completion you will receive a copy of your submission to assist your practice, which will also serve as a record of this for your Continuing Professional Development. (CPD). 

3. Disability Discrimination Practice Checklists (DDPCs)

4. Suggested Action / Reading and 5. future Training/Example submission

4. Suggested Action / Reading and 5. future Training/Example submission

Please click on the DDPC tab for the following:


Link to DDPCs, which provide an opportunity to review practice and risk of disability discrimination.  Currently five practice checklists have been developed - for health and other professionals,  service managers, training course tutors, vocational/employment specialists and assistants.     


Again on completion you will receive a copy to assist your practice, which will also serve a record for your CPD. 

4. Suggested Action / Reading and 5. future Training/Example submission

4. Suggested Action / Reading and 5. future Training/Example submission

4. Suggested Action / Reading and 5. future Training/Example submission

Click on Action & Training/Example tabs for the following:


Suggested actions to address identified awareness needs or practice concerns including recommended  reading : general guidance; for services/service users; for employers/employees; and for courses/students/ trainees.


Planned training related to the UNCRPD, the EqA and disability discrimination are outlined. These will include illustrative examples and a proforma is in preparation to facilitate submission of examples.        

Feedback

Any feedback on the website and resources (see below) would be very welcome, particularly any lack of clarity or concerns about accuracy . 


If you find the resources helpful, please share this with your colleagues. 


Please contact me with any suggestions or if interested in assisting with further developments.    

Disclaimer

The authors of the above resources have no legal expertise and the content does not constitute legal advice. The aim is to raise awareness of disability discrimination in health and other professionals and to facilitate good practice in the context of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Equality Act.  It is not to provide legal advice. 


In the resources some key requirements of the Equality Act, as stated in guidance of the Equality and Humans Rights Commission, are highlighted.  However, in the event of any actual concerns about discrimination, you are advised to read relevant guidance and seek advice (e.g. from a manager or professional adviser) about the need for expert legal advice.  

Professional Background - Andy Tyerman

Andy has worked in neurorehabilitation since qualifying as a clinical psychologist in 1979. He worked initially in in-patient neurorehabilitation, where he completed a Ph.D. on self-concept after severe head injury and also contributed to clinical neuropsychology teaching and training In 1987 he moved to work in Aylesbury and Oxford.   


From 1992 Andy led the development of the specialist inter-disciplinary Community Head Injury Service, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. This comprised three linked programmes; core brain injury community rehabilitation; services for families and friends; and ‘Working Out’, a specialist brain injury vocational rehabilitation (VR) programme, set up for those unable to return to previous work. He has extensive related multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teaching experience. 


Andy has been involved in the development of many national standards and guidelines . This includes the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine report on Rehabilitation after Acquired Brain Injury, External Reference Group for the National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions, Inter-Agency Advisory Group on Vocational Rehabilitation after Brain Injury, Guideline Development Group on Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Long-term Neurological Conditions; NICE Head Injury Quality Standards Advisory Committee and in updating VR elements of the National Clinical Guidelines for Stroke. 


Andy was awarded the British Empire Medical for services to brain injury rehabilitation in 2024. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and received the Barbara Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award from the BPS Division of Neuropsychology in 2024 and the MB Shapiro Award from the Division of Clinical Psychology in 2023. He was previously the Patient Champion of the Year, NHS Thames Valley & Wessex Leadership Recognition Awards in 2015/16 and Practitioner of the Year for the Vocational Rehabilitation Association in 2012.  

 

In retirement , Andy retains an honorary NHS contract and is a Trustee of Headway UK. He continues to undertake research, teaching and writing on community and vocational rehabilitation after brain injury, as well as on disability discrimination.    


Contact me

Drop me an email !

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