Disability
Our survey on inclusion and diversity identified disability as the biggest barrier to working in pharmacy and the area where more could be done to support pharmacists.
We want to ensure there are opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential in pharmacy. But there’s still a long way to go.
Redefining disability
“Disability is an experience –we’re not disabled by our disabilities and impairments, it’s the physical barriers, and bias, prejudice and negative attitudes that are disabling.”
– Shani Dhanda, disability activist
Identifying the problems
We’re supporting our employees who identify as disabled and improving our recruitment processes so they are inclusive and accessible.
- We publish our disability pay gap and our action plan to improve this.
- We’re supporting our employees who identify as disabled and improving our recruitment processes, so they are inclusive and accessible; we’re part of the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme, which aims to make the most of the talents of disabled people.
- Read our Advocacy asks page for more on what we’re doing to support those who identify as disabled.
Breaking the barriers
Read about the achievements and experiences of others:
- Charlotte Milburn explains what it’s like to live and practise with dyslexia.
- Farzana Haq shares her experience of learning to live and work with Lupus.
- Aamer Safdar tells how the experience of living with the hidden disability of hearing loss has shaped him.
What you can do
Together, we can tackle discrimination against people with disabilities in our pharmacy workplaces.
As a pharmacist, here are some actions you can take, and some resources to help you understand issues around disability.
Microaggressions
Disability microaggressions are the everyday, subtle, intentional — and unintentional — interactions or behaviours that communicate bias based on disability.
Tackling microaggressions can make a real difference to workplace culture. Volunteers from our ABCD group have developed resources on microaggressions for you.
- Find out more about microaggressions, discover what ableism is and how to take positive micro-affirmative actions to be disability inclusive in our pioneering guide to disability microaggressions in pharmacy.
Download our free posters on disability-related microaggressions for your workplace.
Watch our webinars
Meeting learning disabilities
We are joined by the Learning Disability and Autism team from NHS England, who share real-life patient experiences of living with learning disabilities and autism.
Exploring Neurodiversity and Intersectionality
Amandeep Doll presents an overview of neurodiversity and intersectionality and how to support people from BAME and neurodivergent backgrounds.
What we’re doing
Our disability campaign challenges barriers to working in pharmacy for all pharmacists.
We want to ensure pharmacy can attract and retain talented individuals with disabilities.
Informed by volunteers with visible and non-visible disabilities from our Action in Belonging, Culture and Diversity group (ABCD), our campaign is:
- Challenging barriers to entry to the profession.
- Calling for more accessible working environments.
- Encouraging employers to collect data on disability in the workplace.
Inclusion and diversity blogs
Many RCPharm members have written about their experiences in promoting and fighting for Inclusion and Diversity in pharmacy.
To discover their stories and learn about how their experiences, background and culture have shaped who they are today, browse through our collection below.
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Flexible working – why is it so hard to arrange?
Flexible working is a barrier for many pharmacists, especially those with long‑term conditions. Amandeep Doll looks at how supportive, equitable flexibility is essential for inclusion.
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Living with hearing loss: a hidden disability
What does a person with disabilities look like? Aamer Safdar reflects on his diagnosis of hearing loss.