What is EFD NI? A not-for-profit organisation Formed, managed and funded by employers Member employers commit to good disability practice Almost 80 members.

What is EFD NI?

• A not-for-profit organisation• Formed, managed and funded by employers• Member employers commit to good disability

practice• Almost 80 members from the public, private and

voluntary sectors • Covers approximately 20% of the workforce

How is EFD NI managed?

• President - John West, Head of Business Improvement, Ulster Bank Group

• Board of Directors meet quarterly• Chaired by Alan McCully, Personnel Manager,

Translink• Board develops action plans, reviews progress

and responds to member employers’ needs• Takes advice from disability organisations,

business groups and legal profession

EFD NI Services

• A tailored one-to-one service for member employers and employees, e.g.

• Member has employee with dyslexia• EFD NI:

• liaised with British Dyslexia Association• contacted employers with similar

experience• identified appropriate professional for

assessment• provided details of DEL programmes

EFD NI Services

• On-line Jobs Bulletin Board• Disability Mediation Service• Member-only area of our website

• training materials• on-line disability awareness briefing• fact sheets

• Monthly Disability Discrimination Act case law update

• Member Network Meetings

EFD NI Services

• Disability awareness training materials for members, e.g.

• “Enabled” video and guide• Presentation Material• DDA Case Studies

• Disability awareness training sessions for members, e.g.

• CCMS training for all Head Teachers and Boards of Governors Chairs

• NI Policing Board Briefings for volunteers

EFD NI Services

• Partnership initiatives, e.g.

• DDA Case Law Seminar• Sensory Impairment Awareness Training• Recruitment and Retention Seminar• RNID research with employers• World of Work Event, e.g. Belfast Health and

Social Care Trust and Mencap• Action Mental Health Seminar

EFD NI Services

• Keeps members up-to-date on disability policies and services

• Sign-posts to disability services providers• Facilitates partnership working between

members• Facilitates sharing of information and resources

amongst members• Obtains discounts for members on publications

and services

Member Examples:Recruitment Good Practice

• Ballymena Borough Council - linked with schools, colleges and disability training providers to offer meaningful, relevant work placements to suit a wide range of interests and abilities

• BBC - annual programme for disabled people to give experience in media industry

• Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards – ring fenced Clerical Officer Post, contacted The Cedar Foundation, explored placement of a suitably qualified person, facilitated disability awareness training, at end of placement permanent post offered

Member Examples:Retention Good Practice

• DETI - surveyed staff to invite requests for adjustments, obtain feedback from disabled employees, invite suggestions for good disability practice, identify barriers

• Translink - employee developed hearing impairment, Health and Safety guidelines excluded him from job on railway tracks, liaised with employee and agreed transfer to ticket kiosk job

• CCMS - due to disability secondary school teacher allowed to start work at 10.30 a.m., substitute teacher employed to teach earlier classes 

Member Examples:Staff Disability Awareness

NI Policing Board - provided disability awareness

training to all employees:• Senior Personnel - In-depth Legislative Obligations and

Case Law• General Staff and Volunteers - Legislative Briefing and

Disability Awareness Training

DETI - series of factsheets, e.g. Mental Health and

employment

Member Examples:Involving Staff with Disabilities

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development - Disabled Employee Network to facilitate:

• Discussion of disability issues• Undertaking initiatives• Supported by DARD• Managed by staff with disabilities