A presentation on diversity and equality as part of the Unit 3 CANLearn course

1. Supporting an inclusive
learning environment
Sarah Knight

2. Outline of the issue
 Employability skills students were not using the student
common room
 A large number of these students had learning disabilities
 There were tensions when these students used the pool
table
 The students were not made to feel welcome in the room

3. Key equality and diversity issues raised
 Students need to be encouraged to be more inclusive and
tolerant of others with differing needs and abilities
 Students with learning disabilities need to feel they are
able to raise issues if they are made to feel unwelcome or
experience harassment
 There needs to be more consideration given to the
environment and physical spaces students have access to –
spaces should be inclusive to all

4. Resolution of the issue
 Awareness raising of respect of others and recognising that all students are
different, with differing needs and requirements
 Buddying system introduced to pair up an employment skills student with a
student from another course so there can be a better understanding of each
others needs
 Introduce a second pool table into the common room or consult with the
employment skills students to see what facilities they would like to see in the
room
 Introduce a code of conduct of respect, co-operation and willingness to
understand others needs and ensure that all students have an understanding
of equality and diversity

5. Key lessons learnt
 Ensure there are effective and open channels for all students to feedback any
issues or concerns
 Consult on a regular basis with students over their usage of physical spaces on
campus – what they like, what they don’t like, how can we make things
better
 Look at ways in which we can foster a shared appreciation and understanding
of equality and diversity issues across all staff and students