Pttls_2

Q: Identify issues of equality and diversity, and ways to promote inclusion. 1) Equality: Equality is the current term for ‘Equal Opportunities’. It is based on the legal obligation to comply with anti-discrimination legislation. Equality protects people from being discriminated against on the grounds of group membership i.e. sex, race disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, or age. So, Equality recognizes that: a) Inequality exists and that discrimination needs to be tackled b) Education, Employment and services should be accessible to all c) Everyone should be treated fairly d) Everyone has individual needs and the right to have those needs respected 2) Diversity: Diversity implies a wide range of conditions and characteristics. In terms of businesses and their workforces it is about valuing and reaping the benefits of a varied workforce that makes the best of people’s talents whatever their backgrounds. Diversity encompasses visible and non-visible individual differences. It can be seen in the makeup of your workforce in terms of gender, ethnic minorities, disabled people etc., about where those people are in terms of management positions, job opportunities, terms and conditions in the workplace. So, diversity recognizes that: a) It is “the mosaic of individuals and groups with varying backgrounds, Experiences, styles, perceptions, values and beliefs” b) Everybody is different – where there are two people there is diversity c) We need to understand, value, and respect those differences. Depends on individual differences and people’s differences issues of equality and diversity can be varied. Some issues that make difference between individuals or peoples are mentioned below: |Race |Politics | |Culture |Religion | |National origin |Ethnicity | |Region |Disability | |Gender |Socio-economic differences | |Sexual Orientation |Family structure | |Age |Health | |Marital Status |Values | | |And more | To some, Equality and diversity includes any issue which could result in less favorable treatment to an individual or group of individuals based on their disability, gender, race, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief etc. In addition, bullying, harassment or victimization is also regarded as equality and diversity issues. 3) Ways to Promote Inclusion: ▪ Treat all students and employees with fairness ▪ Respond to needs and interests of students or employees through reasonable measures ▪ Foster an inclusive environment for all students and employees to access opportunities, and participate fully in the learning process ▪ Equip students and staffs with the skills, concepts and values which enable them to challenge inequality and injustice in their future work ▪ Ensure that learning or any other materials do not discriminate against any individuals or groups Personally the author believes that not all students volunteer additional support needs or even know that they need them; continuous assessment will help identify these. Students should be encouraged to accept additional support in order to help overcome boundaries. Students should be made to feel welcome by creating a good first impression e.g. smiling, looking calm and being confident. Every student should be encouraged to participate in the classroom, regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age or religious belief. Every student should have the same opportunity. It is important that no student be at a disadvantage or subject to discrimination when applying to attend a course at college. Wilson (2008:28) writes “do not stereotype, courses should be available to all”. Examples of this could be by delivering a class on the ground floor in order to promote easy access for a student in a wheelchair. A well considered learning environment, along with different teaching strategies and methods help the student to feel included and accepted Reece and Walker (2000:11) argues “relate their learning to their needs and in consequence, improve their learning potential. Kindness, empathy and sincerity will always reap dividends with the adult learner”. Embracing equality and diversity brings to an organization a wide range of experience, ideas and creativity whilst giving the individual employee a feeling of being enabled to work to their full potential. 4) Bibliography: 1) Wilson L (2008) Practical Teaching, A Guide to Teaching PTLLS & CTLLS. 2) Reece I & Walker S (2000) Teacher Training and Learning 3) LLUK Professional Standards: AK3.1, AK7.2, BK1.2, BK2.2 4) http://www2.lse.ac.uk/raceEquality/faq.aspx#b 5) http://www.sfbn-equality-diversity.org.uk/meaning.html 6) ‘Equality and Diversity Policy’- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NHS); Human Resource Department; 1994 7) http://www.equalatwork.org/employers/equality-and-diversity/ 8) http://www.unionlearningfund.org.uk/prospectus/themes/equality.cfm 9) www.cardiff.ac.uk 10) www.newport.ac.uk 11) www.hants.gov.uk