Our Disability and Equality Awareness Network (DEAN) helps raise awareness of disabilities and long-term health conditions, both visible and hidden, and encourages greater support for colleagues who experience these.
The group acts as an ally for all colleagues, providing feedback and recommendations to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) group, and helping the business become more aware about how conditions might impact individuals, so we can be as inclusive as we can.
DEAN consists of colleagues from across the organisation, most of whom are living with a disability or long-term health condition; but the group is open to anyone who would like to be an ally to those living with a disability or long-term health condition.
We chatted to Laura Keverne, one of the joint leads of DEAN, about what the group means to her.
Laura said: “I joined the group in 2020 after I was diagnosed with endometriosis, following surgery.
“I found it challenging to come to terms with knowing I would have a disability/long term health condition (for which there is no cure) for the rest of my life and wanted to find a support network with people experiencing something similar.
“I feel like the group is a positive way of turning a really difficult part of my life into something where I can look to support others, raise awareness and be a voice and advocate for those with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
“My favourite thing about the group is connecting with colleagues, as there is such a wealth of knowledge across the group. Listening to others and hearing their stories helps us all realise we are not facing our conditions alone.”
The group focuses on sharing ideas, recommending ways that LiveWest can be more inclusive, looking at how we can create positive change for colleagues and customers living with a disability or long-term health condition, and creating a safe and empowering space where people can talk about issues that matter to them.
Through DEAN, we became a Hidden Disabilities Sunflower organisation in October 2021, supporting our colleagues and customers who are living with a hidden disability. DEAN also helped create LiveWest’s own sunflower lanyards, so our colleagues with hidden disabilities don’t need to wear two lanyards.
The group were also involved in the creation of LiveWest’s own Disability Awareness month, celebrated in March. As part of the month, we change our logo across our social media channels and on our colleague communications, celebrating our colleagues and customers living with hidden disabilities or long-term health conditions. You can find out more about our Disability Awareness month in this article.
Speaking about our Disability Awareness month, Laura continues: “Changing the logo for disability month is a big one for me as it is such a visual representation of support and acknowledgement for those with hidden conditions.
“I feel lucky to work for an employer who has such recognition for EDI and actively seeks colleagues opinions on how to change and improve the EDI strategy.”
You can read our EDI strategy on our Equality, diversity and inclusion webpage.
During March, we are celebrating our very own Disability Awareness month, raising awareness of disabilities and long-term health conditions, and promoting accessibility services. Find out more in our Disability Awareness month article.