Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

1. Purpose To ensure that all CPD/ECPD learning materials—courses, modules, assessments and related resources—are designed and delivered in a way that is accessible, unbiased and inclusive of the full diversity of our learner population.

2. Scope Applies to all educational content created, commissioned or revised by Mecourse Lifelong Learning for regulated-profession CPD/ECPD programmes.

3. Definitions

• Accessibility: Designing content so it can be perceived, understood, navigated and interacted with by learners of all abilities (including those with sensory, cognitive or motor impairments).
• Inclusive Language: Use of words and phrasing that avoid stereotypes, do not exclude or demean any group, and promote respect for all individuals.
• Diverse Representation: Incorporating examples, case studies, imagery and scenarios that reflect a broad spectrum of genders, ethnicities, ages, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds and professional roles.
• Bias: Unconscious or conscious slant in content that privileges one viewpoint or group over others without evidence or justification.

4. Guiding Principles

1. Universal Design

   • All learning materials shall conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards (e.g. alt text for images, sufficient contrast, keyboard navigation).

2. Equity of Access

   • Provide multiple means of engagement and expression (e.g. transcripts, captions, adjustable text sizes, downloadable PDFs).

3. Cultural Sensitivity

   • Avoid idioms, metaphors or examples that may not translate across cultures or professions.

4. Evidence-Based Representation

   • Ensure statistical or demographic claims are supported by reputable sources, and attribute them clearly.

5. Content Development & Review Process

1. Initial Drafting

   • Inclusive Checklist: Authors complete a checklist confirming use of gender-neutral language, avoidance of ableist or ageist terminology, and presence of diverse examples.
   • Accessibility Audit: Technical authoring tools (e.g. HTML/CSS editors, LMS templates) enforce semantic markup, ARIA labels and colour-contrast checks.

2. Peer & Expert Review

   • DEI Reviewer: A designated reviewer from the QA Team checks for bias, stereotyping and representation gaps.
   • Subject-Matter Expert: Confirms that inclusive language and examples do not compromise technical accuracy.

3. Pilot Testing

   • Include a diverse sample of pilot learners (varying backgrounds and accessibility needs) whose feedback on clarity, tone and usability is logged and acted upon.

6. Assessment & Evaluation Items

• All quiz questions, case studies and interactive exercises shall be:

  • Free from culturally specific references unless contextually justified.
  • Presented with alternative formats (e.g. text descriptions for image-based questions).
  • Reviewed for possible stereotypes in names, roles or scenarios.

7. Imagery & Multimedia

• Visual Diversity: Stock photos or illustrations must represent multiple ethnicities, ages, genders and ability levels.
• Captioning & Transcripts: All video and audio content shall include captions, transcripts and audio descriptions as needed.

8. Training & Resources

• Author Guidelines: A living document with examples of inclusive phrasing and “anti-bias” strategies is maintained on the QA intranet.
• Workshops: Quarterly DEI-in-content workshops led by the QA Team and external accessibility experts.

9. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Quarterly Audits: Sample 10 % of active courses for accessibility compliance, inclusive language and representation.
• Learner Feedback: DEI-specific questions included in end-of-module surveys; findings reported monthly to the QA Committee.
• Correction of Non-Conformities: Logged in the Quality Management System with root-cause analysis and tracked to closure.

10. Roles & Responsibilities

• QA Team (led by Professor Perryer): Maintain policy, conduct audits, and provide guidance.
• Content Authors: Apply inclusive and accessible design principles at drafting stage.
• DEI Reviewer: Specialist within QA who performs bias and representation checks.
• LMS Administrators: Ensure technical platform settings (e.g. caption support) remain enabled and up to date.

11. Document Control & Review

• Published on the QA intranet with version history.
• Reviewed at least annually or whenever WCAG guidelines or relevant PSRB DEI requirements are updated.