Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The College has prioritised the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion and celebrates key events relating to its four key focus areas of race, sex, sexuality and disability.

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) this year, we were pleased to share inspirational stories of those living with a disability, overcoming adversity and breaking down barriers – with their insights helping us all to think about what more we can do be more inclusive in our workplaces and our lives.

Free webinar

Improving inclusion and workforce wellbeing

Speakers: Dr Onikepe Ijete, Dr Mhairi Hepburn and Emeritus Professor Tom Sensky

This webinar considered disability within the workplace and the impact that discrimination and support – or lack of – can have on individuals personally and professionally, both to thrive in their workplace and to provide the best patient care. Our speakers shared their experiences and what would have helped them have a more positive workplace experience.

Among members who made a prominent contribution was Dr Onike Ijete, who tragically died unexpectedly, shortly after she was a speaker in the webinar. A tribute to Onike will be included in the President’s December blog post.

Blog posts

For IDPWD 2023, we are sharing two blog posts that reveal what working in psychiatry is like for a neurodivergent person.

• Dr Anna Rebowska is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, she has written a thoughtful post on Life as a neurodivergent psychiatrist.
• Our second post for IDPWD is by trainee psychiatrist Dr Wamique Gajdhar. He has written about Embracing Neurodiversity: My journey from diagnosis to psychiatry trainee.

We also published a blog post from our President, Dr Lade Smith CBE - Supporting to thrive - that argues for a benefits system that supports people with severe mental illness.

IDPWD in 2022

Last year, we used the opportunity of International Day of Persons With Disabilities to share inspirational stories of those living with a disability, overcoming adversity and breaking down barriers – with a particular focus on disabilities that are not visible, in keeping with them that year. 

This included:

• a webinar discussion on Neurodiversity chaired by Dr Conor Davidson, RCPsych Autism Champion with speakers Verity Westgate talking about Autism and perinatal mental health and Dr Tahleel Javed, with insights on how to support people from a neurodivergent population (see video below)
• an interview with core trainee Anuya Bandecar (see video below)
• a blog post by Dr Elohor Ijete: The hidden world of non-visible disabilities. Elohor is undertaking training in forensic psychiatry and is also the main carer of her mother (Dr Onikepe Ijete) who is a psychiatrist and who has a physical disability.

Neurodiversity webinar chaired by Dr Conor Davidson

Our commitment to accessibility

The College is committed to taking action to ensure it creates an environment for members, staff and the public that is accessible as possible.

The recent refurbishment of the London headquarters includes enhanced accessibility and recognising of diversity. This includes hearing loops for hearing impaired who may be attending on-site events and full wheelchair access.