A new interactive Equality and Diversity eLearning programme (LEAD) will allow staff in the university sector to consider their role in building an inclusive environment. The LEAD programme was launched by Minister Fergus O’Dowd (Wednesday March 21) at a joint Irish Universities Association (IUA) Equality Network and Equality Authority event supported by the Workplace Diversity Initiative led by the Department of Justice and Equality.

Developed by six of the Irish Universities Equality Network member institutions, TCD, DCU, NUIG, UCC, UCD and UL, in conjunction with Aurion Learning, the aim of the LEAD project is to introduce a tailored eLearning programme covering all nine grounds of discrimination under Irish Equality Legislation as part of a blended approach to generating mainstream staff engagement with equality and diversity issues in the workplace.

Delivered online, one of the key elements of the LEAD programme is the development of tailored content that addresses issues unique to the third level sector. The eLearning programme can reach a wider audience of approximately 16,000 staff in the Universities and has the potential to be rolled out to other institutions in the higher education sector. The LEAD programme was part funded by the Equality Authority Equality Mainstreaming Unit and by each of the six participating Universities. Recently LEAD was awarded Outstanding Achievement in the category of Most Innovative Use of Technology at the IITD National Training Awards.

Start the LEAD Programme

Press release

Equality Authority launches mental health and equality guides

The Equality Authority launched two Equality and Mental Health guides on 2 February 2012:

Equality and mental health – how the law can help you
This guide provides practical information for people with experience of mental health difficulties on their equality rights in employment and access to services.
Download guide
Equality and mental health – what the law means for your workplace
This guide provides information for employers on their responsibilitietowards employees and potential employees with experience of mental health issues. The guide explains the legal requirement for employers to provide reasonable accommodation for employees and potential employees with experience of mental health difficulties.
Download guide

For more information contact Deirdre Twomey in the Equality Authority dmtoomey@equality.ie

Equality Fund 2011-2012 Projects Announced

January 2012

The Equality Committee has selected 9 staff and student projects for funding in 2011-2012:

Pathways transition assessment and planning tool
Student Parents: challenges and strategies
Siren (magazine for International Women’s Day)
The Confessional
Communication project
Your 5 a day for Mental Health
Creating a more Inclusive Campus
Respecting diversity in the campus community of the future
Launching the Parlour: peer-led mental health and wellbeing space

More information about the College Equality Fund

Selected projects

New web resource for students with Asperger's Syndrome launched by Minister

November 2011

A Support Service Website for Students with Asperger’s Syndrome featuring seven videos of students discussing their experiences of university life with Asperger’s Syndrome and also Trinity College Dublin’s first i-book entitled the ‘The A-Z of AS’ by the late Dr Zehanne Kenny was launched today (Thursday, November 3rd, 11am) by the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly at Trinity College Dublin.

This resource was developed by the Unilink Service and Disability Service with the support of the College Equality Fund.

Press release

Website

Trinity College wins Award for Equality

Oct 27, 2011

Trinity College Dublin was joint winner of the 2011 JICS TechDis OASES Award for Institutional Progress on Equality using Technology. The award, which is open to all universities, colleges and other learning providers, recognises the numerous strategies currently in place at Trinity College Dublin that work to enhance accessibility and inclusion within the academic environment. These strategies ensure equality of access to teaching and learning for all students.

Speaking about the award, Inclusive Curriculum Development Officer Michelle Garvey said: “We are continuously striving to enhance accessibility and inclusion within the academic environment. The implementation of both the Accessible Information Policy and the Trinity Inclusive Curriculum Project has made great strides in mainstreaming inclusion across campus.”

Some of the initiatives that Trinity College Dublin has developed to promote inclusion include: a resource website (www.tcd.ie/capsl/tic) containing guidelines and resources to help staff enhance their inclusivity; an online self-evaluation tool (www.tictool.ie) to promote reflection on current teaching and assessment practices, and to offer suggestions to enhance good practice; training and awareness raising activities, often in collaboration with CAPSL, the Centre for Academic Practice and eLearning; the embedding of considerations of good inclusive practice within quality enhancement procedures and the provost teaching award; and collaboration with the library, working towards an inclusive library environment.

The shortlisted candidates included two higher education institutions, two further education colleges, a specialist college and an adult community organisation. All six organisations were honoured at the award event for demonstrating an exemplary approach to embedding accessibility into institutional policy.

For more details on the TIC strategy and the Accessible Information policy go to www.tcd.ie/capsl/tic or contact the TIC development officer, Michelle Garvey, at include@tcd.ie.

Trinity College Dublin Wins Institutional Award for Equality press release

Equality Fund 2011-2012 Call for Applications

05 October 2011 - 2 November 2011

the Equality Fund 2011-2012 is now accepting applications for innovative and creative projects promoting equality and diversity in College. The deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday 2 November at 5pm.

The Equality Fund will provide funding to staff and students on a competitive basis for a variety of equality projects.

The themes selected for this year are:

Too young or too old? Combating stereotypes
Facing the challenges: supporting creative solutions
Listen, speak and be heard
The campus community of the future
Spotlight on religious diversity and College life
Play your part: dignity and respect in College

Applications can be made with the above themes focussing on any of the 9 protected equality grounds or for other relevant groups.

For more information about the Equality Fund and to download the application form:

Equality Fund

or contact equality@tcd.ie

Equality News

September 2011

The latest Equality News is now available to download here. Find out about staff and student equality projects and upcoming events.

Equality News (PDF)

The newsletter is available in paper copy and alternative formats, to request contact equality@tcd.ie

Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2010-2011 now available

June 2011

The Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2010-2011 has been approved by the Equality Committee and is now available to download here. The report contains statistics relating to the diversity profile of staff and students.

Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2010-2011 (pdf)(this document is available in alternative formats upon request)

Other Equality Reports

College Equality Policy launch

April 2011

Trinity College Dublin launches its new Equality Policy approved by Board.The College aims to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality and values diversity.

The Equality Policy is a composite policy comprising staff, student and service user equality issues within the framework provided by the Employment Equality Acts, Equal Status Acts and Disability Act.

The purpose of the Equality policy is to outline Trinity College Dublin’s commitment to promoting equality in all aspects of the College’s activity: employment, education and service provision; and to detail how these commitments will be implemented.

The policy is relevant to all staff, students, service users and members of the College community and details roles and responsibilities in its implementation. Particular attention is drawn to the additional commitments included in this policy to ensure inclusive and non-discriminatory service provision.

The Employment Equality Acts 1998-2010 and Equal Status Acts 2000-2010 prohibit direct and indirect discrimination, sexual harassment, harassment and victimisation in relation to nine equality grounds: gender, family status, civil status, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, ethnicity and membership of the Traveller community.

The Equality policy has been developed under the direction of the College Equality Committee following consultation with a range of College student services and administrative areas, senior management and student representatives. The Equality Policy replaces the Access and Equality Policy, the Equal Opportunity Policy and the Equal Employment Opportunity and the Selection of Staff guidelines.

Find out more Equality Policy

International Women's Week 2011

A Century Celebration, 7th-11 March

The Equality Officer in Trinity College Dublin has announced the programme of events for International Women's Week 2011 which will run Monday 7th to Friday 11th March. IWW 2011 marks a Century’s global celebration of International Women’s Day.

Events including talks, debates, poetry readings, music and fitness activities are organized and supported by staff and students in Trinity College Dublin: The Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies, Dublin University Gender Equality Society, The Irish Language Office, the Graduate Students’ Union and Students’ Union, the School of Religions and Theology and the Sports Centre.

All staff and students are welcome to participate.

Gallery

See the full Programme

Civil Partnership Act comes into force

January 2011

The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations Act 2010 was signed into law by the President in July 2010 and has come into force on 1 January 2011. The Civil Partnership Act provides the first legal recognition for same-sex couples in Ireland. The Act’s provisions are significant and extensive, including provisions for unmarried cohabiting couples (same-sex and opposite sex). The broad effect of the Act is to provide comparable rights for registered same-sex civil partners and opposite-sex married couples.

The Act makes provisions for two separate schemes: Civil Partnership Scheme – a registration scheme for same-sex couples only; and Cohabitation Scheme – a ‘presumptive’ scheme for unregistered and unmarried couples, same-sex and opposite sex (excluding close relatives).

The Act regulates eligibility, registration of a civil partnership, recognition of foreign marriages/civil partnerships, shared home protections, maintenance and earnings, domestic violence protections, succession rights, and dissolution of a civil partnership. The Act does not recognize the relationship of civil partners regarding children.

The first requests for registration of civil partnerships are now being filed and the first civil partnerships will take place from April 2011. The Act provides for automatic recognition of civil partnerships from a list of 27 approved countries published by the Minister: these partnerships now have legal recognition from 1 January 2011.

Further information:

Citizens Information
Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010
Gay, Lesbian, Equality Network (GLEN), Civil Partnership: Your Questions Answered

Further resources in TCD

Equality Fund 2010-2011 Projects Announced

The College Equality Fund 2010-2011 has selected 16 staff and student projects for funding in 2010-2011.

Selected Projects

NIID VDP Collaboration
Transition Me to Trinity
Being a student with Asperger's Syndrome in university
Multi Sport Family Fun Day
Accessible Campus
Trinity's R.A.C.E. for Mental Health
Improving equal participation in Nursing programmes
An Accident - a Play
The Ghost in the Library
Role of women in Irish Society - publication
Removing Pain - a performance by Beth Moyses
Between the lines: Trinity College reaches the margins
Scholars at Risk Speaker Series
Suas/JRS Refugee Football Programme
Santa's Grotto
Whip it up! Parents' Cookery courses

More information

Equality Newsletter

September 2010

The new Equality Newsletter is now available to download here. Find out about the Equality Fund projects and upcoming events.

Equality News (PDF)

The newsletter is available in paper copy and alternative formats, to request contact equality@tcd.ie

Dignity and Respect Mini-Movies

See some examples of how students and staff view dignity and respect in their everyday life in College. A series of Mini-Movie workshops were undertaken in order to promote awareness about dignity and respect across the TCD community. Three workshops were organized with undergraduate students, postgraduate students and staff, and each group developed its own dignity and respect mini-movie based on the workshop discussion. The Mini-Movie series was funded by the College Equality fund, which aims to raise awareness on equality issues and promote diversity in college.

View mini-movies

More information on the Equality Fund

Civil Partnership Bill passed by Dáil

02 July 2010

The Dáil last night completed its work on the Civil Partnership Bill, which is expected to be signed into law in the autumn. Same-sex couples will now be able to avail of legally binding civil partnerships from the beginning of next year.

Under the Civil Partnership Bill same-sex couples who register their civil partnership will have many of the same entitlements and will be subject to many of the same legally enforceable duties and obligations as parties to a civil marriage. These include protections and obligations across areas such as protection of the couple's shared home, domestic violence, residential tenancies, succession, refugee law, pensions, taxation, social welfare and immigration. The Bill does not deal with the issue of support and recognition of the many children being parented by same-sex couples.

Full news item in the Irish Times

GLEN (Gay and Lesbian Equality Network)

Equality Monitoring Report 2009-2010 now available

The Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2009-2010 is submitted to the Equality Committee, Board and Council. This report is prepared by the Equality Officer and the Monitoring Advisory Group and contains baseline statistics on staff and students in relation to different equality grounds.

The report is available to download from the reports section and can be requested in alternative formats.

Right Let's Speak Up for Ourselves! Report Launched

June 2010

An accessible report was launched on 1st June 2010 in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, recounting participants’ stories of a human rights day held in Trinity College Dublin in September 2009. These stories were prepared and presented by people with intellectual disabilities and for many of the presenters this was their first opportunity to engage in such an activity. The process for making the report was an inclusive one and the presenters chose their own media for telling their stories. The report, which was supported by a grant from the TCD Equality Fund, was launched in both on-line and printed format and is available for download on www.idrights.ie.
Contact for further information:

Dr. Fintan Sheerin, Lecturer in Intellectual Disabilities, School of Nursing & Midwifery sheerinf@tcd.ie

02 Ability Awards - Trinity Selected as Ability Company

12 May 2010

Trinity has been selected as an Ability Company in all six categories of the 02 Ability Awards 2010: Leadership, Customer Service, Environmental Accessibility, Learning Development and Progression, Retention and Well Being.

Being selected as an Ability Company is an achievement that highlights College's commitment to increasing accessibility and the value it places on the contribution made by all members of the College community.

If you would like to find out more about Trinity's participation in the Ability Awards you can see the RTE documentary programme featuring Trinity and other finalists on RTE player.

The 02 Ability Awards 2010 took place on 12 May in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The 02 Ability Awards recognise best practice in the inclusion of people with disabilities, both as customers and as employees. The Awards are a Kanchi initiative, to find out more about the Awards and Kanchi please visit http://theabilityawards.com/

02 Awards Provost's reception see Gallery

IUA Equality Network Report: Exploring the Function of Staff Networks in Supporting Equality Outcomes in the University Sector

November 2009

The IUA Equality Network has published the report prepared by Dr Jane Pillinger outlining the main learning from a series of workshops that took place in 2009 exploring the function of staff networks in supporting LGBT staff and other equality groups. This project was supported by the DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the European Commission (PROGRESS programme).

Download report (pdf)

Download report (text version) (other formats available on request)

Further information on the IUA Equality Network

For further information on staff networks currently in College please contact the Equality Officer equality@tcd.ie

Equality Tribunal Celebrating 10 Years - Case Law

November 2009

The Equality Tribunal has launched a case-law database celebrating its first ten years in operation (1999-2009). The database is available in CD format or searchable on the Equality Tribunal website.

Equality Authority Annual Report 2008

24 September 2009

The Equality Authority has launched its Annual Report 2008; now available to download on the Equality Authority's website www.equality.ie.

The Equality Authority reported over 10,000 queries on equality and familiy leave legislation and dealt with 736 casefiles. The largest number of case files under employment equality legislation came under the age ground, and the largest number of Equal Status cases came under the disability ground.

Further information

'A Diverse Society: Tackling Discrimination across Europe' film

EU For Diversity. Against Discrimination campaign

The film explores equality and diversity under EU law and tells the stories of several people from across Europe who have experienced discrimination because of their age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or sexual orientation.

You can now watch the film online on the 'For Diversity.Against Discrimination' campaign website http://www.stop-discrimination.info/5685.0.html

Staff Disability Census 2008

August 2009

The Equality Officer has communicated to staff the results of the Staff Census 2008.

The staff census was carried out in order to report on the number of staff with disabilities employed in 2008 in compliance with the Disability Act 2005. Under the Act, public service bodies have a duty to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities, and to ensure that at least 3% of their employees are people with disabilities.

Staff Census 2008 Report

More about the Staff Census

Gender and Promotions Report

June 2009

The Equality Officer has submitted the Gender and Promotions Report to the Equality Committee. This report was prepared at the Provost's request to examine the low proportiono of women applying for promotion in certain grades. The report provides an update on previous reports carried out in College on the subject of women's career progression, includes consultation with staff and a good practice review.

Gender and Promotions Report

Other reports

Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2008

June 2009

The Equality Officer has submitted the Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2008 to the Equality Committee. This report is prepared with the assistance of the Monitoring Advisory Group and includes baseline statistics on staff and students in relation to different equality grounds.

Monitoring in College

Annual Equality Monitoring Report 2008

Challenging Stereotypes Trinity finalists announced

15 April 2009

The winners of this year’s Trinity College Dublin Challenging Stereotypes Creative Competition were Rosaleen McDonagh in first place in the student category for her text entry ‘Consanguinity’ and in the staff category, Helen Fisher won first place for her text entry entitled ‘Bernadette’ and Florence Dowling was a runner up for the photograph ‘Sweet Diversity’.

The Challenging Stereotypes Creative competition is held locally in each university and the finalists proceed to the intervarsity judging. This year participants were asked to submit a text or visual entry, challenging stereotypes in relation to the nine equality grounds: gender, age, religion, ethnicity, disability, marital status, family status, sexual orientation and membership of the Traveller community. The aim of the competition is to challenge stereotypes and foster a positive approach to diversity within College and in the University sector as a whole. The overall intervarsity winners were announced at the Equality Authority on April 30th last.

“It was heartening to see the very considerable increase in participation from across College and the panel was impressed at the range of themes that were represented in the competition,” stated Chair of the Trinity Equality Committee and competition judge, Dr Sinead Ryan of the School of Mathematics. “The diversity and quality of the entries stimulated discussion amongst the panel and made for a challenging but rewarding judging process. The winning entries attracted the panel's attention with unexpected observations, eye-catching graphics and thoughtful prose that went to the heart of the Challenging Stereotypes competition. It was a pleasure to be involved”.
Trinity College’s Equality Officer, Karen Campus said: “There is a link between stereotyping and the inequalities experienced by groups in terms of how they are treated by society. Through images and perpetuating myths stereotyping shapes our assumptions and expectations of certain groups can be used to justify social inequalities or even lead to discrimination. This competition provides an opportunity to challenge our perceptions and expectations focussing on the nine equality grounds. It is an opportunity to raise a positive awareness of the diversity of staff and students in College and foster a collegiate environment.”

The TCD judging panel, Chair of the Equality Committee, Dr Sinead Ryan, Student Union Welfare Officer, Orlaith Foley and Professor of English, Stephen Matterson, considered staff and student entries, and welcomed the increased participation in this second creative competition sponsored by the Equality Authority and the IUA Equality and Diversity Group.

The IUA Equality and Diversity Group, constituted in 2007, is comprised of Equality Officers from the universities in the Republic of Ireland and meets regularly to share good practice and develop joint initiatives, including this competition. The Equality Authority is the coordinator of the European Year of Equal Opportunities For All Legacy Funding, which has enabled this initiative.

See Photo Gallery

See entries

See Challenging Stereotypes Creative Competition details

Equality Fund

Funding Recipients Announced March 2008

The Equality Committee's Panel awarded the following applications from staff and students funding in the first round of awards for 2008 (Total funding €6,000). There will be a second round of funding applications held later in 2008, date to be announced. Equality Fund Projects

The following projects have been awarded funding from the Equality Fund:

• ‘Please Talk’ awareness campaign (SU Welfare) €700
• Israel-Palestine Comedy Tour and Workshop (Amnesty International, Trinity branch) €1,000
• Islamic Awareness Week Inter-Faith Dinner (Muslim Student Association) €350
• Developing Inclusive Practice workshop (Day Nursery) €310
• Mental Health Policy training programme (Counselling Service) € 700
• College grounds signage and audiotape in accessible formats (buildings, flora and fauna information) (Facilities Management) €1,000
• International Women’s Day (Dublin University Gender Equality Society) €770
• Work Life Balance information morning (Housekeeping Department) €1,170

News Items Archive

Equality Authority Annual Report 2007

The Equality Authority launched its Annual Report 24 July 08

The Equality Authority's Annual Report 2007 was launched yesterday in Dublin by John Moloney, Minister for State for Equality, Disability and Mental Health. This Report outlines the important body of casework carried by the Equality Authority over the past year in relation to the nine grounds of discrimination. The Authority received over 11,000 queries and had over 700 casefiles under the Employment Equality Act and Equal Status Act. The most common ground for complaints related to age and disability. The Report includes details of the research carried out by the Authority on the business case for diversity, gender-inequalities in time-use and a CSO study on the experience of discrimination, amongst others; and outlines the activities for the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007.

For furthe details please see the Equality Authority.

Disability Review

College is currently carrying out a review of its policies and practices to promote the recruitment and continued employment of staff with disabilities.This review furthers College’s commitment to creating a positive work environment that is disability friendly and increasingly accessible.

The Code of Practice Applying to the Employment of People with Disabilities has recently been revised after extensive consultation with staff and other stakeholders.

For further details see Disability Review or contact the Equality Officer.

International Women's Day 2008

7-8 March 2008

The Equality Officer and the Centre for Gender & Women’s Studies organized a lunchtime event celebrating International Women’s Day 2008 with the theme Shaping Progress and the collaboration of DUGES (Dublin University Gender Equality Society) and DUWGA (Dublin University Women Graduates Association).

There were two guest speakers at the event, presented by Professor Mary Coffey.

Yvonne Campbell, an outstanding student and Scholar of Trinity College, had participated in the TAP access programme and won several debating competitions before going on to complete an MSc in the London School of Economics, and finally returning to train as a secondary school teacher. Yvonne deliverd an exciting speach drawing from her own personal experience and highlighted the importance of education and support systems to ensure progress and equal opportunity for all human beings: women, men and especially children.

Olive Braiden, Chair of the Arts Council, described her varied life journey, both abroad and in Ireland, outlining her involvement with the Rape Crisis Centre and up until her present-day role as Chair and member of several public bodies. Olive highlighted the importance of women getting involved in politics, decision-making and particularly funding decisions, as the key to ensuring progress and the full participation of women in society.

At the event there was a poster display illustrating the situation of men and women in Ireland sponsored by WiSER (Centre for Women in Science and Engineering) – which were also displayed across campus. DUWGA hosted an information table advertising their activities and the re-issuing A Danger to the Men? A History of Women in Trinity College Dublin 1904-2004 due to popular demand. There was an interactive panel about the role and influence of women and a charity flower sale in benefit of the Rape Crisis Centre run by DUGES.

The event was well attended by members the College community including academic and administrative staff, researchers and students.

A series of other events ran that week in College, for further details see here.