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What is the Accessibility Champion Network?

The Accessibility Champion Network isÌýa place to share best practice, askÌýquestions across UCL colleagues and haveÌýaccess to frequent training sessions on different aspects of accessibility.​The role of Champion is intended to provide an initial point of contact and advice for accessibility queries from staff and students to help to ensure that °ÄÃÅÀúÊ·¿ª½±¼Ç¼is meeting its accessibility obligations.Ìý

Whilst there are universal approaches that can be implemented across UCL, this role will be beneficial for identifying the challenges at a local level across departments for feedback to theÌýDigital AccessibilityÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýInclusive EnvironmentsÌýTeams. The role could easily be shared with other colleagues in a department (this is particularly encouraged in large departments).ÌýÌý
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The prerequisite skills are effective communication skills, resourcefulness, and a determination to embed accessibility awareness into all processes and procedures in your department.ÌýÌý

Benefits of being an Accessibility Champion:Ìý

• Opportunity for professional development in an area that is critical to providing good user experiences across the UK Public Sector.ÌýÌý
• This role will lead to key skills such as leadership, project management, and accessibility expertise.ÌýÌý
• Training and support will be offered to build accessible knowledge and confidence to help embed the role within the department.ÌýÌý
• The role will provide many opportunities to work with a wide network across UCL alongside other departmental Accessibility Champions, senior managers, and external stakeholders.ÌýÌý

Accessibility Champions responsibilities can include:Ìý

• Acting as a key point of liaison between their department (working alongside EDI/equity roles at a local level, e.g., Vice-Dean EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity), Faculty education teams, BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) awarding gap leads, faculty/dept EDI teams/committees) and the Digital Accessibility and Inclusive Environments Teams.ÌýÌý
• Raising awareness of the Digital Accessibility and Inclusive Environments Policies within their teams / departments to build confidence and gather feedback for the Digital Accessibility and Inclusive Environments Teams to deliver.ÌýÌý
• Flagging accessibility requirements and issues in new projects, strategies, and systems.ÌýÌý
• Flagging accessibility issues within buildings to theÌýEstates Customer HelpdeskÌýwhen they are raised by staff and students.ÌýÌý
• Ensuring all new policies and strategies have an Equality Impact Assessment.Ìý

Time CommitmentÌý

This is a difficult one to predict accurately as it may vary at various times of year and in departments with various levels of accessibility awareness. However, there will be 1 x 1 hour all network meeting once every 2 months and at least 1 x 1 hour Lunch and Learn training session per month.Ìý

How to sign up or find out moreÌý

If you would like to find out more about the role of Accessibility Champion, please contact Georgia Mann:Ìýg.mann@ucl.ac.ukÌýor use theÌý.Ìý