About us

The establishment of a support and advisory group for deaf and disabled colleagues was a key part of the implementation of the NSPCC equalities and diversity strategy which was introduced in January 2008. The group is one of three advisory and support groups overseen by the National Equality and Diversity Group.

What makes us different?

From the outset, our journey has been challenging. Deafness and disability are not aspects of our identity that have historically received positive reinforcement or celebration; instead they have typically been hidden away or regarded as obstacles that need to be overcome.

Coming together as a group has enabled us to take stock of the whole range of additional factors, both practical and emotional, that make the work of the group more complex. Collectively, we share common experiences of discrimination, feelings of denial and self-compromise which can come to the surface every time we meet. During our first year we have taken the time to work through these issues.

We have a core group of committed members and have yet to determine if the barriers that have deterred others from joining the group are linked to anxieties about being identified as a person with a disability or can be attributed to other factors.

If you are a deaf or disabled colleague we hope that you will feel able to join us. If you are not deaf or disabled we hope you will take every opportunity to actively support and promote the work that we are doing.

How we came to be DDRAG - Deaf and Disabled Rights Action Group

Our aim is to become an integral part of the NSPCC and its development, ensuring that our role is not time limited or tokenistic in anyway.

Key to this was finding a name for the group that accurately reflects our experiences. Double DD stands for deaf and disabled. Deaf people have experienced being made to feel invisible when disability issues are explored or groups developed. We agreed not to allow this to happen. We also felt it important for the name to reflect how it feels to be a deaf and disabled NSPCC employee. The name DDRAG sums up our position at the moment. We hope this will change over time. The name also incorporates ‘R’ for ‘rights’ and ‘A’ for ‘taking action’ to make changes.

Examples of discrimination in the workplace

As individuals we have all experienced subtle examples of discrimination which have occurred usually through omission. For example:

• Booking taxis for disabled colleagues to attend a meeting but not to travel home afterwards;
• Circulating reports whilst discussion takes place at a meeting making it difficult for a deaf colleague relying on interpretation or a dyslexic colleague who takes longer to read a document to take part or contribute in the meeting.

Such experiences leave colleagues feeling inadequate and incompetent in areas where they should be enabled to perform.

Getting it right

Getting things right for NSPCC employees is just the first step. DDRAG’s aim is to ensure NSPCC services, campaigns and activities are inclusive, accessible and enabling for deaf and disabled children, young people, their families and the wider community.

Our achievements so far

DDRAG is now an established group in which members are able to offer sensitive and constructive support to each other.

Despite numerous challenges, the group has made significant progress. Some of our achievements include:

• Writing our terms of reference.
• Establishing links with HR and the NSPCC trade union Community. Ruth Webster, Head of Leadership and People Development, will be attending our next meeting where issues around training on the topic of deafness and disability will be explored.
• Forming a strong relationship with Internal Communications who we are working with to raise the group’s profile.
• Our chair and another member have represented the group at the National Diversity meeting and we were represented at a national union meeting.
• We have access to a number of key external agencies that provide specialist advice for colleagues.
• The group has worked with HR on a new policy for colleagues experiencing domestic violence.
• DDRAG has provided input to a paper outlining the appropriate use of language in relation to deafness and disability. This will include ideas about reclaiming the language of disability.
• Providing support and advice to NSPCC colleagues on disability issues.

DDRAG Meetings

We meet on a monthly basis at different NSPCC locations across the UK. Our meetings have both a business and support element.

In July, we held a two-day development meeting at which we agreed the priorities for the next 12 months.

How can you get involved with or support the work of DDRAG

We hope that you’ve now gained an insight into the development of DDRAG and that you’ll be encouraged to take an interest in the work we’re doing.

If you are a deaf or disabled colleague we hope that you will feel able to join us. If you are not deaf or disabled thank you for taking an interest in our work - we hope you will take every opportunity to actively support and promote the work DDRAG are doing. Upholding the rights, integration and inclusion of deaf and disabled people is everybody’s responsibility.

DDRAG Contacts

If you want to find out more about DDRAG or you want advice or support on disability issues please feel free to contact us either by email or phone or via the disability discussion site on FirstStop.

Gerry Anderson ganderson@nspcc.org.uk 01217703000

Sharon Griffin sgriffin@nspcc.org.uk 01217703000

Jeanette Fyfe jfyfe@nspcc.org.uk 0161 743 4640

Jacqui Jackson jacquelinejackson@nspcc.org.uk 0161 743 4680

Further information and useful websites

Disability Discrimination Act

Disability Rights Commission