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The Launch of NADSN
NADSN officially launched on 6 June 2014 at a national conference hosted by the University of Manchester’s Disabled Staff Network titled “What Are We Hiding?”
The conference, chaired by Co-Chair of the University of Manchester Disabled Staff Network, Melanie Sharpe, brought together more than 100 participants from across the UK to explore the experiences of disabled staff with unseen and invisible disabilities in higher education.
During a session on disabled staff networks co-led by Hamied Haroon and Anna Charles-Jones, Hamied presented the idea for a national association that could connect and support disabled staff networks across institutions.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. That moment marked the beginning of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN).
Shortly after the conference, the disability community lost Deb Viney, a passionate advocate. In recognition of her influence and support, Hamied dedicated the launch of NADSN to her memory.
Across 2014–15, with committed leadership of 31 leaders from universities across the United Kingdom, an NADSN Founding Steering Group (FSG) was formed and set out to realise Hamied’s vision.
Key steps were taken by the Founding Steering Group (FSG) in setting out the strategic direction for NADSN and developing NADSN aims and objectives, work led by Jacquie Nicholson and Mona Patel.
The FSG evolved into the NADSN Steering Committee; its membership has included the wonderful Katie Lucking, Kay Ashton MBE, Shaukat Ali, Angela Getty, Lykara Ryder, Gill Cockburn, Cath Rose, Sarah Shemilt, Mary Laurenson, Linda Robson, Stuart Moore, Fiona Kumari Campbell, and Ashok Jashapara.
The Steering Committee was formalised, and NADSN created a network of regional leadership across the UK and, more recently, internationally to support NADSN's aims and objectives and our Disabled Staff Network members.
Collaboration and Early Support
Several key figures played an important role in shaping the early vision for NADSN.
Jane Cordell introduced Hamied to her colleague Kate Nash OBE, whose work on disabled employee networks provided valuable inspiration. Patrick Johnson encouraged Hamied to connect with Chris Brill at ECU, who was highly supportive and suggested that the proposal be formally developed.
Chris Brill then connected Hamied with Nicki Martin and the late Deb Viney, founding Directors of the National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP).