CILIP is delighted to announce the official launch of their Disability Network. This is the UK-wide professional network for the Disability community within the library, knowledge and information sector. The Network has been established to provide support and a platform for library, knowledge and information workers with experience of disability.

Working with CILIP and other partners, the Disability Network supports the advancement of disabled people in the workforce and the development of diverse library, knowledge and information services. It provides an authoritative voice on disability issues within the LIS community, with opportunities for its members with lived experience of disability to participate at events and within public discussions. The group also provides a safe and inclusive space to ask questions, share information and network.

The Committee is co-chaired by Morag Clarkson and Catherine McLaren.

Nick Poole, CEO of CILIP, stated, “The launch of the Disability Network fulfils a commitment CILIP made in our Changing Lives Position Statement to do more for people in our profession with lived experience of disability, and I am delighted that we have been able to work with Morag, Catherine and the Steering Group to bring it to fruition.

The network is an opportunity both to celebrate the enormous contribution that practitioners with experience of disability make to our profession, and to work together to overcome the barriers and lack of awareness that they continue to experience in the workplace. We will work with the Disability Network to ensure that our own work as a professional association is fully inclusive and representative of people with experience of disability in our profession.

I would like personally to thank Morag, Catherine and the team for coming forward to lead this new Network. CILIP firmly believes that the Disability Network should be run by and for people with lived experience of disability, and without their hard work and commitment this launch would not have been possible.”

The Disability Network is one of four CILIP networks known collectively as “Diversity Networks”. The other Diversity Networks are:

• The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network (June 2019)
• LGBTQ+ Network (Feb 2020)
• Women’s Network (2022)

The Disability Network is free to join and open to both existing CILIP members and non-members.

For more information about the network and how to join.

About the Disability Network

Purpose

Provide an authoritative voice on Disability issues (including neurodiversity, additional learning needs and mental health) within the LIS community, and ensure the Network has a recognised role that provides opportunities for its members to participate at events and within public discussions.

Provide guidance, and signpost to organisations and individuals with relevant knowledge, skills and information.

Enable the development of visible role models and champions for the Disability community within libraries and the information/knowledge sector. To celebrate the voices of the LIS community on Disability issues.

Provide guidance and support for carers of people with disabilities, by signposting them to relevant organisations and information.

Engage in dialogue and work with other CILIP Networks (including, but not only other Diversity Networks) to collaborate and share resources. The Disability Network will feed into the Diversity Networks forum and Communities forum.

Ensure that leading principles of intersectionality, diversity and inclusivity are followed in the Network’s activities, campaigns and governance. Engage with all LIS workers and students regardless of their stage of career, organisational position, or identity.

Engage with LIS course providers and their students to embed the Network ethos into library and information studies.

Provide an authoritative voice for development activities and best practice e.g. events such as public speaking, LIS course modules, general and specific training.

Scope

Support disabled people within the LIS community and encourage a culture where disabled people can be more open about their identity.

Provide a safe space where Network members are able to raise issues of Disability discrimination in the workplace. Signpost members to resources and organisations that can support individuals in addressing Disability issues with their employer.

Provide its members, and organisations they represent, with the skills and knowledge to develop supportive and inclusive Disability services.

Report back on and feed into CILIP's Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion work as a CILIP Network with a specific relevant community focus.

Develop authoritative resources that can be used by all within the LIS community, including individuals and organisations.

Goals

Empower individual members to put on events, book displays, and activities relevant to the Network, with the Network as support, resource and information provider.

Be aware of statistics on Disability in the workforce at all levels. Survey Network members, annually, to capture information about their identity and career/role level.

Set up a calendar of significant equalities dates and events.

Foster relationships with other groups and organisations of mutual interest outside of the LIS sector e.g., national and local Disability organisations.