York St John University recognised as a Disability Confident Leader

By building a more inclusive and accessible workplace, the University becomes one of only 7% of UK employers with level 3 accreditation. 

The Disability Confident campaign is a government scheme aimed at supporting more disabled people to work and giving them a better experience in the workplace. It is the only scheme focused entirely on employers, accrediting companies based on how supportive they are of workers with disabilities.  
 
York St John University has achieved Disability Confident Leader status by embedding inclusion into every stage of the employee experience, from recruitment to career development. Actions taken include strengthening recruitment processes to ensure disabled applicants can access opportunities fairly, offering reasonable adjustments, skills-based assessments, and guaranteed interviews for those who meet the minimum criteria.  

A longstanding partnership with the Blueberry Academy continues to create meaningful supported internships, several of which have led to permanent employment within the University. Suppliers are also expected to uphold the same high standards of equality and inclusion, ensuring that accessibility is championed across all areas of work. 

To achieve the level 3 ‘leader’ stage, employers must submit evidence of their inclusiveness for peer review and are audited by another Level 3 employer. York St John’s submission was audited by the Business Disability Forum (BDF), which works with businesses and government to remove barriers and achieve lasting inclusion.  

Chantel Emery, Acting Advice Service Manager at Business Disability Forum congratulated the University, saying: 

“We were particularly impressed in the steps York St John University have taken to embed and encourage inclusivity throughout their submission. They have taken multiple steps ensure barrier free recruitment and onboarding whilst actively promoting a culture of being Disability Confident. We commend senior leadership engagement and the evidence provided of a research project exploring how best to create a campus that supports and ensures belonging amongst the students and staff who are self-identifying as neurodivergent.   

It was clear to see from their submission that York St John University have worked hard and shown exemplary dedication to inclusivity, building strong relationships across multiple areas for disabled staff and students 

We look forward to working with York St John University to continually improve their inclusivity in the years to come.” 

Kathryn Kendon, York St John University Secretary and Registrar, leads on the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework. She recognised the importance of continued commitment to the needs of disabled staff:   

“We are proud of our level 3 status, but not complacent about our ongoing responsibility to recruit, retain and develop disabled colleagues. In consultation with colleagues, we are reviewing our supporting disabled staff policy, which includes guidance on access to work support. Insights from our Staff Survey and workstreams in our People and Culture Plan will help us to maintain focus on meaningful improvements to be more inclusive and accessible.”   

York St John has introduced initiatives such as the Health Passport, Wellness Action Plans, and annual stress risk assessments aim to help staff manage disabilities or long‑term conditions with confidence and continuity. Research driven projects like the Inclusive Neurodiverse Campus (INC) are shaping a culture where neurodivergent staff and students feel seen and supported, while senior leaders openly sharing their own experiences helps reduce stigma and normalise conversations about disability and mental health.  

The University’s membership of the Business Disability Forum aims to empower line managers to provide the best experience possible for all members of the University community with a disability.  Together, these actions reflect the ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can belong, contribute, and succeed.