Understanding disability
Explore experiences of work, the social model of disability and how organisational design shapes participation and opportunity.
Open online programmes · 2027
Invest in disabled leadership.
Strengthen your organisation.
Leadership and career development for disabled and neurodivergent employees in universities, NHS organisations and other public institutions.
Developed and delivered by Dr Ossie Stuart.
Established at Imperial College London in 2012.
DR OSSIE STUART · CALIBRE FOUNDER & PROGRAMME LEADER
4 programmesChoose your 2027 intake
Live onlineFour sessions + individual mentoring
£1,200 + VATPer participant
16 participantsMaximum per programme
A different understanding of disability
Develop talent.
Broaden perspectives.
Create opportunities.
Disabled employees bring knowledge, experience and perspectives that can strengthen organisational leadership. Calibre helps institutions develop that talent and creates opportunities for participants to shape their careers and influence working practices.
Drawing on the social model of disability, Calibre explores how organisational structures, expectations and design shape opportunity. Participants gain the language and leadership tools to question assumptions, communicate effectively and negotiate constructive change.
For your organisation
- Strengthen leadership capability among disabled employees.
- Gain fresh perspectives on organisational design, inclusion and working practices.
- Support career development and talent development.
- Learn from participants’ knowledge and experience.
For participants
- Develop a stronger understanding of disability and organisational life.
- Build confidence and the capacity to exercise influence.
- Apply leadership ideas to career development and workplace practice.
- Establish clearer goals and practical next steps.
The learning experience
Four sessions.
New perspectives. Practical application.
Leadership and disability
Examine leadership theory and develop practical approaches to career development, influence and negotiating change.
Disability and the law
Develop an understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and how disabled employees can contribute to better organisational practice.
Confidence and future action
Bring the learning together, hear from a previous participant and develop ideas for a Personal Project and future action.
Plan your participation
Choose your
2027 programme.
Four live, interactive online sessions.
Wednesdays · 10.00 am–1.00 pm, UK time
Delivered via Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
| Programme | Session 1 | Session 2 | Session 3 | Session 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January–MarchFirst programme of 2027 | 27 January | 10 February | 24 February | 10 March |
| May–July | 26 May | 16 June | 30 June | 14 July |
| September–October | 15 September | 29 September | 13 October | 27 October |
| November–December | 10 November | 24 November | 1 December | 15 December |
Participants attend all four sessions within their chosen programme and the individual follow-up mentoring session. Institutions may book up to four places per programme, subject to availability.
Discuss your preferred programme ↗Your investment
Space to learn.
Support to act.
£1,200
per participant, excluding VAT
Places are confirmed by advance payment,
subject to availability.
Included in every programme
- Four interactive three-hour online sessions
- Supporting materials, session notes and recordings
- One individual online mentoring session
- Pre- and post-programme evaluation
- A certificate of completion
The required individual mentoring session takes place within six weeks of completing the taught programme. It gives participants space to reflect, identify leadership opportunities and plan practical next steps.
BSL interpretation can be arranged on request. Please discuss accessibility requirements when enquiring.
Optional extended mentoring
Up to six months of additional mentoring: £500 per participant, excluding VAT.
Who is Calibre for?
Recognise potential.
Make room for it.
Calibre is intended primarily for disabled and neurodivergent employees, including colleagues with long-term physical or mental health conditions, in universities, NHS organisations and other public institutions.
It is especially suited to degree-level or comparable professional roles, including senior positions, recruited through standard organisational recruitment processes.
Download the full programme brochure (Word) for the complete participation and booking arrangements.
Interested in attending? Share this page with your manager, EDI team or organisational development team to discuss institutional funding.
Participation and practical arrangements
Disclosure and attendance
Participants must have disclosed their disability to their employing institution and be able to commit to all four taught sessions and the follow-up mentoring session. Attendance across different programmes is considered only where there is a compelling reason and agreement in advance.
Supported-employment schemes
Calibre is primarily designed for disabled employees recruited through standard organisational recruitment processes. Employees recruited through specialised supported-employment schemes may have access to different development pathways. However, this does not automatically exclude them from Calibre. Applications will be considered individually, taking account of the programme’s objectives and the potential benefits to the applicant.
Formal employment disputes
Participation in an ongoing formal complaint, grievance or employment dispute does not automatically exclude an employee from Calibre. Where relevant, individual circumstances will be considered to establish whether participation is appropriate and whether any agreed safeguards are necessary. Such considerations should not prejudice the employee’s rights, the impartiality of any ongoing proceedings or their prospects of a fair resolution.
Accessibility and confidential discussions
Organisations should discuss individual eligibility or any proposed safeguards with Dr Stuart before confirming places. Any such discussion should respect confidentiality and should not require disclosure of the substance of an employment complaint. Accessibility requirements can be discussed separately. BSL interpretation can be arranged on request.
Internal promotion and taster sessions
Dr Stuart can work with EDI, staff networks, organisational development and communications teams to publicise Calibre. Optional online lunchtime taster sessions can introduce the programme to prospective participants, managers and senior leaders.
Meet the programme leader
Developed and delivered
by Dr Ossie Stuart.
Dr Ossie Stuart is a disabled academic, consultant and trainer. He established Calibre at Imperial College London in 2012 and has since delivered the programme across universities, NHS organisations, local government and other public institutions.
Calibre brings together his academic experience, understanding of disability and extensive work with employees and organisational leaders.
Take the next step
Make disability leadership part of your organisation’s development plans.
Discuss your preferred programme, suitable participants, accessibility arrangements and availability.
Arrange a lunchtime taster session or discuss how Calibre could support your institution’s leadership development priorities.
sandalls@mac.com ↗Please use an agreed secure method to share participant details. You do not need to provide individual health or disability information in this enquiry.