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We need to interview people with experience of using the labs of the Eastern Academic Research Consortium Imaging Platform Alliance
We need to interview people with experience of using the labs of the Eastern Academic Research Consortium Imaging Platform Alliance (University of East Anglia (UEA), University of Essex, University of Kent, and University of Sussex) or UEA’s New Science or Productivity East labs, who have an interest in disability access. We want to know how these facilities work for disabled people and for staff supporting disabled people using these labs.
For those with experience of using New Science and/or Productivity East, these labs were designed to be highly accessible. We want to check that the design advice was correct, comprehensive, and useful. We want to know how these facilities work for disabled people and for staff supporting disabled people using these labs.
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Important information
Semi-Structured Interview Outline
We will provide all interviewees with this interview outline in advance of the interview taking place. This aims to enhance the quality of the answers (interviewees can bring notes, look up specific numerical data etc) and reduce access barriers (less cognitive load, reduced anxiety etc). All interviewees will be asked if they need to take breaks and/or wish to complete an interview at another date. NB If the interview is being undertaken face-to-face it is likely we would have to offer an online interview to complete an interview at another time.
We will use relevant questions from the suggestions below using discretion as to relevancy to the experience of disability access being discussed. We may also ask interviewees to provide further details, clarify, and expand on initial answers.
Ask interviewees to complete the interview demographics survey. (This will be sent in advance of the interview).
Ensure interviewees have read and understood the information sheet and signed the consent form. Answer any queries they may have.
Ask interviewees for their name.
Ask interviewees in what context they have experience of disability access in laboratory environments. Which facility (facilities), what was their role.
Describe their experience of disability access in detail. Can be personal experience, or specific knowledge of cases. (NB cannot be “hearsay”, i.e. they have to know the names of the people involved – but do not have to state them in the interview).
Case studies of disability access, good or bad. What specific impairment(s) needed accommodation. Did it have any safety implications? How was it solved? Did it require any reporting processes to be followed? Did anything change subsequently?
Experiences of using structures and equipment. What does or does not work? What is never used? What could be adapted / better designed in the future?
Experiences of disability access information. Either providing it or using it. How easy to find? Usability? Sufficient or too much detail? Clear guidance on who to contact and how to ask for disability accommodations.
Experiences of disability access protocol creation or adaptation.
Experiences of working practices created or adapted for disability accommodations e.g. provision of hybrid access to teaching, flexible working, attitudes, bullying, discrimination etc.
Experiences or requests for disability access/ EDI training.
For interviewees being asked about their experiences of the highly accessible New Science or Productivity East.
What response have they had from disabled staff/students/visitors who have used these facilities – any impact on recruitment or retention, or ease of working.
What response have they had for the other people using these facilities. Any impact on space, working protocols, “wash-over benefits” (e.g. powered doors are helpful for anyone pushing a trolley).
Any improvements or variations that could further enhance New Science/ Productivity East’s accessibility or vary its accessibility for differing needs.
How robust is the accessibility – has it needed adaptation, repair, or updating.
Usefulness – what lab protocols does it/ can it address, how easy is it to use day-to-day; compatibility with usual supplies; cleaning and decontamination; how much space does it take up; how often is it used; how often does it have to be calibrated/ set up in the accessible format?
Costs – remember to ask about staff training, protocol adaptation and validation, updates for software etc. Also remember to ask about cost savings e.g. saves time, allows for 24/7 working etc.
Training needs – for the disabled scientist using it, for the technician team, for other scientists working in the same lab. NB can include personnel training e.g. disability awareness, communication training etc.
Do they know of anyone else we should be speaking to?
Provide interviewees with Consent to Contact form – talk them through the options – and get agreement (and signature) to us keeping their email address where appropriate.