Transcript Document

Equality Mapping Conference
European One-Day Seminar, Madrid
22 March 2010
Case Study 6 – INTO, Ireland
Noel Ward
Deputy General Secretary/Equality
Officer
INTO
• Irish National Teachers’ Organisation
• Ireland’s Largest Teachers’ Union
• 40,000 Members
• 2 Jurisdictions On Island of Ireland
Equality Structures
• INTO Equality Committee (16 regional reps); meets 5
times per year, reports to Executive Committee
• Equality Committee 3 year term of office
• Equality Conference every 3rd year (March 5-6 2010)
• “Intouch” magazine – Equality page
• Senior Official designated as Equality Officer
INTO LGB Group
• 2004 voluntary group established, union support
• Issues of visibility, challenging homophobia
• Church schools, vulnerability of teachers
• Contact phone no., email, Equality Committee support
• Leaflets, poster (Staffroom Guidelines), Gay Pride
• Address to INTO conferences; LGB Group Conference,
October 2009
Disability
• Challenge from a former union activist
• “Disability Champions” programme
• Survey of members (confidentiality; wish to remain at
work; reasonable adjustments)
• Significant topic at March 2010 Equality Conference
(with teachers’ Occupational Health Service)
Impacts
• Greater visibility for, consciousness of, LGB and disability
issues
• More LGB teachers “coming out”
• Awareness of members and of employers (schools) re
accommodating disability
• Work ongoing
• See www.into.ie (Republic of Ireland) for “Intouch” magazine;
under “Teacher Special Interest Groups” re LGB Teachers’
Group; on “Sitemap” under “Conferences” see “Equality
Conference”.