Diversity

ARA Statement on Diversity

The Archives & Records Association (UK & Ireland) seeks to ensure that its membership, the holdings that archives acquire and manage, and the users whom we serve reflect the diversity of our society.

The Archives & Records Association (UK & Ireland) recognizes that this commitment must be reflected in its working practice at all levels of the organization and is enshrined within its published Equal Opportunities Policy. In addition it has created a Diversity Working Group to support the delivery of targeted activity in support of this statement. The working party will promote existing best practice in terms of audience development, volunteering and collecting from diverse groups. However a key objective is to consider how to move on from this to attracting diverse groups to paid employment within the archives, records management and conservation professions.

In order to be effective the focus is on disability in the first instance. The working party will then go on to develop resources to promote other groups listed in the Equality Act.

In the Equality Act 2010, a person has a disability if:

• they have a physical or mental impairment
• the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities

• A diversity action plan will be published here shortly.

Equal Opportunities Policy

The Association is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all within the world of archives, records management and archive conservation, regardless of race, colour, religious beliefs or practices, ethnic or national origin, disabilities, gender, sexuality, marital status and age. In particular the Association is committed to encouraging equal access to education and training, employment and advancement within the profession.

The ARA Code of Conduct can be found here.

• Equality Monitoring Form - Please consider filling in the form below.

 ARA Equality Monitoring Form

• Below are the results from our 2012 Equality Monitoring Survey 2012.

 ARA Equality Monitoring Information 2012 Results

ARA Equality Survey Consultancy Brief

A survey to benchmark the numbers of people who consider themselves to have a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) within the archives and records sector.

 Archives and Records Association Equality Survey Brief - March 2013      

• Diversity Education Bursary (The National Archives)

Following last year's success, The National Archives is offering two bursaries in 2013 to individuals who are passionate about embarking on a career in the archives sector. The bursaries will support candidates in gaining a qualification by providing financial support and helping to address the socio-economic barrier that exists for some who are considering entering into the archives sector. We would therefore particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic (BAME) and disabled applicants.

The scheme will provide financial support for a one year full-time professional preparation qualification (up to £10,000). This could be an MA or equivalent, including archives, records management, information management or humanities computing courses.

If you would like to apply for one of the bursaries, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• You have been accepted onto a relevant one year full-time course in order to progress a career in the archives sector

• You have a demonstrable interest and/or experience in archives and records management

• You are a UK/EU resident student

• You require financial support to fund the cost of your course

• You meet the access criteria for an archives, records management, information management or humanities computing course and can supply proof of acceptance

To apply for a bursary, please submit a personal statement detailing how you meet the criteria, and demonstrating what you can bring to the sector. Applicants are required to have been accepted onto a course as a prerequisite.

Please send your CV and personal statement by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 30 April 2013.

Interviews will take place the week commencing Monday 13 May 2013.

Case Studies         

We are developing a collection of case studies relating to current practice in the employment of people with disabilities within the archives, conservation and records management sectors. Some of these will be used anonymously in a Best Practice Guide or we may use them on our website with your permission. We are collecting this information to gauge current practice within the whole archives profession in the employment of people with disabilities. Please answer as fully as possible. Any case studies used on our website will be edited and available for your comment and agreement prior to uploading.

 Case Studies Form

 Case Studies Form

Diversity Working Group Objectives.

What do we want this group to achieve?

1) Increase membership of the Archives and Records Association by working in partnership with recognised disability charities/organisations: 1,2

2) Identify, challenge, overcome or reduce barriers discouraging archives and records organisations from employing people with disabilities 3, 4,

3) Help ensure that careers in archives and records are accessible, attractive and rewarding for people with disabilities 5, 6

4) Tie activity into overarching strategy for workforce development and ensure sustainability of activity by engaging long term partners, 7, 8

How will we achieve this?

1) Establish benchmark data by reintroducing anonymous membership equalities monitoring to evidence the impact of the group

2) Ensure the ARA website is fully accessible and compliant with DDA requirements

3) Establish a Disability webpage to bring together ARA's Diversity position statement, resources including updated Journal article and links relevant to meeting the aims of the group

4) Promote best practice within the profession by developing disability training roadshows and other methods

5) Survey members and non-members of ARA to discover statistical representation of people with disabilities within the archives and records workforce. Use this survey to: gauge interest in diversity; discover organisations members already work with; uncover existing best practice; identify mentors; test demand for a disability network; establish new research themes as suggested by participants.

6) Establish evaluation templates for volunteer and work experience placements targeted at people with disabilities to enable accurate and aggregated reporting at a national level from local activities

7) To engage the membership by promoting the activity of the group through ARA Today, ARC and at conference

8) To engage funders and partners to develop and support ARA's strategy for workforce development

Disability Placement Providers

One way of increasing disability representation in your workforce is to offer voluntary placements to candidates with disabilities. Many charities exist to help marginalised people find work and they look to work in partnership with employment / work experience providers. If you would like to offer a placement to someone with a disability the following organisations would be pleased to help:

• Turn to page 2 for Information Resources and Disability Portfolio downloads

Last Updated (Tuesday, 02 April 2013 13:49) Friday, 08 June 2012 13:02