Disability Equality for all Trade Unionists

About The Course

With huge changes to equality law, practice and workplace policy and changes in Government policy, the role of equality for all disabled people is vital.

The trade union movement must be at the forefront of these changes. Utilising a social model of disability, this course is ideal for workplace reps, branch officers and those involved in trades union councils that want to take forward the importance of disability equality for all.

This is a two-day course, delivered at the Workers’ Retreat, Quorn Grange Hotel in Loughborough.

This course will be delivered by Colleen Johnson, a proud disabled woman originally from Middlesbrough. She has spent many years as a primary teacher in Birmingham and more recently Worcester. She became more active in her union after querying why disabled educators were often overlooked for promotion. Previously a school rep and equality officer and currently a committee member at Worcestershire NEU. A strong believer in the power of the Social Model of Disability. She has led community action around the planned closure to railway ticket offices. Currently chair of the NEU Disabled Members’ Organising Forum. Member and co-chair of TUCDW Committee and a TUC General Council member. Disabled Members’ Seat Holder on the NEU National Executive.  At the NEU Annual Conference in 2025, she led a demonstration against the planned changes to Welfare changes that would directly affect members.