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Disability Champions@Work

Disability Champions come from a diverse range of backgrounds and a wide range of sectors. The common thread is a desire to see genuine equality for disabled people in the world of work.

During the training Champions will establish the role within their workplace by carrying out workplace activities involving their colleagues at work, other trade union reps and their management teams. The course will help you raise awareness of disability issues and provide practical solutions to help employers affect real change in the workplace.

• Who is the course for?
• How long is the course?
• What will the course help me to do?
• Can I get time off to learn?
• Can I get time off for online courses?
• Further Information

Who is the course for?

This course is for all union reps who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills and gain tools to carry out their role more effectively.

How long is the course?

This course will take approximately 30 hours to complete delivered over ten weeks.

What will the course help me to do?

This course will help you to:

• Negotiate reasonable adjustments
• Raise awareness of disability issues
• Conduct access audits of buildings, documents etc
• Liaise with external organisations

Can I get time off to learn?

Union representatives who wish to attend TUC courses in working time should first ask their employer for time off with pay. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 give accredited union and safety representatives a legal right to reasonable time off with pay to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. Guidance towards establishing what constitutes reasonable time off can be found in the ACAS Code of Practice (http://www.acas.org.uk/publications/pdf/CP03.pdf).

Representatives who find difficulty in obtaining paid time off to attend TUC courses should seek assistance from their senior union representative or full time union officer.

Can I get time off for online courses?

Online learning should not be seen as an alternative to paid release from work. The law still applies, whether learning takes place away from work or in work, at a workstation or in a company learning centre.

How much is the course?

This course is free for all recognised union reps from TUC member unions.

Further Information

If you require any further information about this course, please contact: TUC Education Online e: tuceducationhelp@tuc.org.uk t: 020 7079 6929

Briefing document (400 words) issued 28 Sep 2009