Maven provided online disability awareness training to RAWA customer service and clinical staff.
Project implemented: March to June 2020
To enable a disability confident, accessible and inclusive RAWA workplace.
This project provided employment for people with disability, whilst enabling a more inclusive mainstream service.
Participants completed a pre-training survey that was analysed by people with disability to inform the design of the training
15 interactive trainings were delivered online and facilitated by the Maven team with different types of disability.
“Thank you all for your time and effort, it has been really awesome to hear about your perspectives and to question the motivations about how, why and in what circumstances I may attempt to be of assistance professionally (and personally).”
“I found the training really thought provoking and inspiring. There was much to learn in a short time but the materials you have supplied will enable my learning to continue. Also, the way the training was managed was fantastic – it was the first time I’d participated in online training with breakaway groups – well done!!”
“We have already increased the number of resources we have in terms of referrals for people with disabilities – our Community Development Officer has been working on this for us. I’ve also given some thought to rearranging things in the centre, based on some of the discussions we had during the training.”
“I think that being on the telephone in my job at RAWA, this training has been very valuable – particularly the alternative/correct language we should use in the future. Thank you!”
“When making quick changes I need to remember to include all people, changes to intake to accommodate people and so we are aware if a person needs assistance or other information to make accessing the service better for them.”
“Disability is a complex area and I’ve found the training to be great for opening up many areas to consider and make adjustments in to make our service as accessible as possible.”
The training sessions were designed to build the disability skills, knowledge and confidence of RAWA staff through the following content:
Inspiration Porn: how the word ‘inspiration’ is used when referring to people with disability.
Disability Language: disability terminology and best practice language including explaining ‘intersectionality’ within the disability community.
Complex Communication: types of assistive and augmentative communication strategies and systems.
Abuse, Neglect and Trauma of People with Disability: different barriers faced by people with disability who experience abuse, neglect and trauma.
Social Model Barriers: physical, institutional, and attitudinal barriers that are experienced in society and provided tips on how to reduce or prevent these barriers.
Models of Disability: medical, charity, demonic and human rights / social based models of disability, with their strengths and weaknesses discussed.
Autism spectrum disorder: specific training on communicating and working effectively with someone with autism.
Ableism: specific forms of discrimination and marginalisation faced by people with disability.