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.
IDPWD in 2024
Blurred: Disability Inclusion in Medicine
Free online webinar, 4-5pm on Tuesday, 3 December
In keeping with this year’s IDPWD theme of "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future", RCPsych is hosting a dynamic and thought-provoking ‘in-conversation’ online session with Dr Sharad Philip, Associate Professor in Psychiatry at AIIMS Guwahati, India and Dr Shevonne Matheiken, Specialty Registrar (ST6) in the East of England.
This session is not your typical webinar. Combining professional insights as psychiatrists with their lived experiences of disability, Dr Matheiken and Dr Philip will explore how these transcultural perspectives can shape disability inclusion, patient care and mental health of health care professionals.
IDPWD in 2023
Last 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.
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.
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 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.