EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY

This policy has been developed in adherence with guidelines set out by the Equal Opportunity Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (https://equalopportunity.gov.tt/).

Definitions

Discrimination

The treatment or making a distinction in favour of or against a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs.

Unlawful discrimination is any practice which is designated as unlawful by state legislation. It has the purpose or effect of disadvantaging individuals on the basis of their status or beliefs or on the basis of characteristics generally attributed to that status or belief.

There are two forms of discrimination:

Direct discrimination occurs when people are treated less favorably because they belong to a particular group or category of people, for example, people with a disability or people of a particular ethnicity. It also includes treating someone unfairly because of a stereotype about a particular group or category of people to which they belong.

Indirect (or systemic) discrimination exists when there is a requirement (a rule, policy, practice or procedure) that is the same for everyone, but which has an unequal or disproportionate effect or result on a particular group or groups. Unless this type of requirement is reasonable in all the circumstances it is likely to be indirect discrimination.

Harassment

Unlawful harassment means any form of behavior that takes place in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all circumstances, should have anticipated that the person, or group of people, who is or are subject to the harassment would be offended, humiliated or intimidated. The behavior in question must be perceived to relate to one or more of the grounds of discrimination.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is any unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited behavior of a sexual nature that makes a person feel humiliated, intimidated or offended.

Victimization

Victimization means treating someone unfairly because they have acted on the rights given them by this Policy, or because they have supported someone else who acted upon those rights.

Bullying

Bullying defines persistent or ongoing behaviors directed towards an individual or group that a reasonable person, having regard to the circumstances, would find offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening and that potentially or actually affects health and wellbeing.

Differently–abled

Differently-abled is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including but not limited to: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, walking, standing, speaking, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating or working.

Policy Statement

EDUWEB College is committed to achieving equality of opportunity in education and employment as well as promoting an environment where students and staff are able to study and work effectively without fear of unlawful discrimination, harassment or bullying.

We recognise that all students are of equal worth regardless of cultural/ ethnic background, religion, social circumstances, gender, ability or disability. We believe that equal opportunities should be provided for all and that we should adopt policies and procedures that remove discrimination and harassment in relation to all facets of student and staff participation at EDUWEB College.

This policy is supported by the following aims:

to develop and implement policies and procedures that promote equal opportunity for the diversity of students, human resources and the faculty
to ensure that students have equal access to opportunities offered
to ensure that students have equal access to an environment where assessment, support services and resources are available
not to allow harassment, bullying and discrimination
to ensure that staff has full understanding of the policy and how to apply it in practice
to set up effective systems to ensure equality of opportunity and diversity
to observe all equality principles when providing services.

Responsibilities

All Members of the EDUWEB College Community

All members of the EDUWEB College community have a responsibility to work individually and collectively to achieve a work and study environment in which equality of opportunity is fostered. This will assist the College to achieve equal opportunity in employment and education.

The Equal Opportunity Principles

The broad principles of equal opportunity are "social justice" and "diversity". Social justice has four elements - equity, access, participation and basic rights. Diversity has three elements - social, cultural and linguistic diversity.

The broad principles are identified under five main headings as follows:

that action is taken to redress disadvantage caused by unequal access to education and employment (equity)
that access to conditions and benefits of employment for staff, and access to education for students is fair and equitable (access)
that staff and students (individuals and/or groups) are directly involved in decisions affecting their work and study (participation)
that the basic rights of equal access to jobs, education, and freedom from discrimination are protected. This includes receiving information about these rights and providing complaint mechanisms for redressing grievances (basic rights), and
that the social, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the College community is recognized, valued and respected (diversity).

EDUWEB College recognizes that equal opportunity does not mean treating everyone the same. The commitment to equal opportunity provides the stimulus for the College to establish policies, programmes and other mechanisms designed to ensure that equal opportunity is provided to all staff and students and that members of disadvantaged groups can gain equal access to opportunities for education and employment.

Admission

Our Admissions policy seeks to ensure that access to education for students is fair and equitable. See our online admissions policy document.

Differently-abled Students

Our Student’s Handbook indicates that all students can access our online courses at their pace and convenience. The handbook also indicates that if a differently-abled student experiences difficulty accessing our instructor-led classes, they should contact us to discuss their issue and possible remedies.

Teaching and Resources Delivery

Lecturers of EDUWEB College shall endeavor to use sensitivity in the distribution of academic resources, case studies and assignments as well as when communicating to individuals or a particular group of students. All staff members should ensure the delivery of resources is conducted in such a manner that reflect the diversity of the student population and are not stereotypical.

Monitoring and Review

This policy underpins all other policy documents and is subject to regular review. We will monitor the effectiveness of our policies by regularly reviewing our progress on the wider social and personal issues involved and to ensure that they do not disadvantage particular sections of the community.