Background

ART is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity.

ART will encourage its employees and members to ensure equality within ringing.

Irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, nationality, colour, parental or marital status, dependency, pregnancy, religious belief, class or social background, sexual preference or political belief, all must receive fair treatment, equal opportunities and will not be unlawfully excluded.

Approach to Assessments

ART accepts that any assessments under its schemes are an assessment of individual competence.

If a teacher or new ringer is unable to show competence in the ways recommended by the scheme we will be flexible and adapt the assessment where appropriate.

Procedure

Where a teacher believes that due to a disability a student is unable to be assessed in the required way they should email the ART Administrator giving the following information:

• Name and contact details of teacher
• Name and contact details of the ringer
• Assessment or level being considered
• Description of disability and effect on taking assessment and other general activities
• Any Health or Safety issues presented either to applicant or others through the applicant ringing or teaching
• Suggestion on how the appropriate level of competence may be demonstrated

Panel

To ensure a consistent but flexible approach and to deal with any health or safety issues a panel of three ART Members will consider the request and decide what is required for each candidate having considered the type and level of disability..

The Panel, nominated by the Management Committee, will consist of a Tutor, a member of the Management Committee, and another ART Member.

Some experience of disability issues by at least one panel member is preferable.

Panel decisions will be recorded on SmART Ringer (without identifying those involved) and made available to members to assist teachers with future applications and to develop a system of precedent to allow an element of consistency.

There will be a right of appeal to the Management Committee.

Logbooks

Learning the Ropes or other logbooks should be clearly marked referring to the panel decision.

Premises/Facilities

Premises and other facilities need to be able to accommodate those with disabilities where that is reasonable. Premises are not usually under ART’s control but care needs to be taken at all ART arranged events to ensure access and other facilities conform with requirements where appropriate.

Reporting

ART Members are to be asked to report any incidents of discrimination to the Management Committee.

Last Modified: January 2016

Last Reviewed: January 2017