Disabled Staff/Staff with Disabilities Network (DSN)
A forum for disabled staff to connect and engage.
The DSN is a community network comprised of disabled staff who wish to connect with other disabled staff.
Disability (and impairment) is an incredibly broad umbrella (including, but not limited to, neurodivergence, sensory and mental health, and physical health conditions), and not everyone with impairment will identify as disabled.
Some impairments are visible to others; many are invisible. Some come and go; some stick around (but often change); some are acquired, while others are life-long.
We welcome anyone who considers themselves part of the disability/whaikaha community, starting from the position that disability covers no one thing.
What we do
The DSN aims to build community, engagement and advocacy (as the famous disability rights activist slogan goes, “nothing about us without us”) within the University.
We welcome all disabled staff members to join, to connect with, and learn from, others in this community, and/or to engage in activities to help improve the experiences of disabled staff at the University.
The network is very informal – and we plan to meet several times a year for a mix of activities from policy-oriented, to educative/informative, to purely social. There is no expectation for consistent engagement, and activities in any year are often limited by capacity (an experience shared by many, but not all, disabled people).
Our Chairs
Professor Virginia Braun - Co-chair
Emma Sadera - Co-chair
Leah Tamasese - Co-Chair
The current membership process is one where you opt in – so if you're a staff
member who is interested in joining the DSN, or you simply want to find out
more, you can email staffdei@auckland.ac.nz.