{"id":55,"date":"2026-04-08T13:34:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2026-04-08T13:44:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T12:44:50","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/","title":{"rendered":"Disabled Employee Network (DEN)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-50px\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1520px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:50px;padding-bottom:50px;min-height:700px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92{background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniforms.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:50% 15%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.54;background:linear-gradient(24deg, #400000 34%, #ffffff 52%);mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px), only screen and (min-device-width: 1024px) and (max-device-width: 1366px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2) and (hover: none){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92{background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniforms.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:50% 4%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.55;background:linear-gradient(37deg, #400000 38%, #ffffff 65%);mix-blend-mode:multiply;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;background-image:url('https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniforms.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:77% 1%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;min-height:400px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background:#cf2e2e;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_7bb88a-92 alignfull has-standard-black-background-color kt-row-has-bg fullstretch wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-gradient\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_49a07b-2b, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_49a07b-2b:not(.specificity){margin-right:0px;margin-left:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_49a07b-2b inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-97902dbe\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-816a1f5b\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-816a1f5b\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.75;background:#323031;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_3db084-b4 alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_1642ff-04 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_1642ff-04, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_1642ff-04:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_1642ff-04 inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-a3702cf4 gb-headline-text\">Disabled Employee Network (DEN)<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-8c8dedd7 gb-headline-text\">The aim of the Disabled Employee Network (DEN) is to encourage contact, support and friendship among any member of staff that self identifies as having an impairment or disability, bringing together diverse staff from across&nbsp;NHS Lothian.<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-7f5acd1d\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1150px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:30px;padding-right:50px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:50px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;overflow:clip;isolation:isolate;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;background-color:#323031;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 ,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h1,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h2,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h3,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h4,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h5,.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 h6{color:#fff;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:20px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:30px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:30px;padding-right:30px;padding-bottom:30px;padding-left:30px;min-height:0px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;opacity:0.00;background:#400000;mix-blend-mode:multiply;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id55_599e8e-08 alignfull kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle\">\n<style>.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:0px;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column55_c3b679-8e, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column55_c3b679-8e:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column55_c3b679-8e inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"height:260px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"height:300px\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 40%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><sup><sub><strong>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS<\/strong><\/sub><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading colourtextbold\">Disabled Employee Network (DEN)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment \u2013 some lesser and others higher \u2013 which can impact on their working and personal lives.&nbsp;The social model of disability sees the person first and argues that the barriers people face, in combination with their impairments, are what disables them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1024x417.png\" alt=\"Disabled Employee Network logo\" class=\"wp-image-390\" style=\"width:458px;height:185px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1024x417.png 1024w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-768x313.png 768w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1536x626.png 1536w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent-1520x619.png 1520w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/03\/DEN-logo-transparent.png 1870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Disabled Employee Network (DEN) welcomes any member of NHS Lothian staff who identifies as disabled, neurodivergent, or with a long-term health condition. You don&#8217;t need a formal diagnosis, and you don&#8217;t need to disclose your condition to your line manager or to other DEN members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org.uk\/law-and-courts\/discrimination\/check-if-youre-protected-from-discrimination\/what-counts-as-disability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What counts as disability<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The aim of DEN is to encourage contact, support and friendship among members of staff who self identify as having an impairment or disability, bringing together diverse staff from across&nbsp;NHS Lothian into an environment where issues of disability can be discussed in confidence and where advice and information can be sought.&nbsp;DEN will raise the profile of disability in NHS Lothian in a staff centred way.&nbsp;DEN will research best practice on workplace disability and will gather members&#8217; experiences to better inform NHS Lothian on how best practice can benefit organisational goals and foster good employee relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Meetings<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">All meetings take place in our <a href=\"https:\/\/teams.microsoft.com\/l\/team\/19%3AEaxYVc4JeqCB0U2dARP_7pSmVoT_-v53RUo60VYMSgU1%40thread.tacv2\/conversations?groupId=cc1cf773-8f9f-41f6-b688-5ad0b0ce0094&amp;tenantId=10efe0bd-a030-4bca-809c-b5e6745e499a\">Teams channel<\/a>.&nbsp;Contact us if you would&nbsp;like&nbsp;to receive the Teams invitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Next meeting:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our next meeting is\u00a0<strong>Thursday 23 April\u00a0<\/strong>at\u00a0<strong>6pm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Future meetings:&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thursday 14 May at 12.30pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 18 June at 6pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 23 July at 12.30pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 27 August at 6pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 17 September at 12.30pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 22 October at 6pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monday 16 November at 12.30pm (NB: we&#8217;re trying a different day of the week!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thursday 10 December at 6pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2.jpg\" alt=\"Member of NHS staff in mid-blue uniform\" class=\"wp-image-355 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/10\/uniform2-188x300.jpg 188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-accent-grey-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center colourtextbold latest\">DEN Chairs Blog<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>by Jack Hellberg, DEN co-chair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neurodiversity is a concept that has gained significant mainstream attention in the last few years, although the concept has origins in the late 90s. If I can take a stab at a definition, neurodiversity refers to the idea that there is no such thing as an \u201cabnormal\u201d brain, but rather that there is diversity in how people think and experience the world in much the same way as different humans exhibit diverse physical presentations. Under this idea, what were previously understood as isolated \u201cdisorders\u201d (e.g. ADHD, autism, dyslexia) can now be seen as clusters of traits which fall within healthy human diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, I don\u2019t think we are at a place yet where we can shed labels such as dyslexia or ADHD, nor can we pretend that everyone\u2019s experiences are roughly equivalent in the obstacles they face. People who have traits of any of these conditions encounter discrimination and inaccessibility that can severely impact their day-to-day lives. Because of this, this community has adopted the label as \u201cneurodivergent\u201d over \u201cneurodiverse\u201d, as this still acknowledges that they are neurologically <strong><em>divergent<\/em> <\/strong>from the majority of people for which society has partially been built to cater to (however, keep in mind that some estimates put the rate of neurodivergence in the general population <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/bmb\/article\/135\/1\/108\/5913187?login=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">as high as 20%<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, is neurodivergent just another word for dyspraxia, autism, dyslexia, ADHD, etc? Definitely not! Many conditions associated with being neurodivergent are undergoing rapid changes in understanding. It wasn\u2019t too long ago that ADHD was seen as a childhood condition, or autism as a narrow set of behaviours mostly seen in boys. For example, even the idea of a linear autism spectrum is out of date. Instead, many clinicians instead look for different combinations of traits across a few different domains (e.g. social differences, sensory sensitivities, strong interests). Links and overlaps between different neurodivergent conditions are becoming more apparent as well, so a diagnostic label can\u2019t reliably capture how one neurodivergent person might experience the world in comparison to another. \u201cAuDHD\u201d is a growing term for those who might fit both an autism and ADHD diagnosis, but two people who identify as AuDHD will likely still have differing traits. As it turns out, not all brains fit into neat little boxes representing distinct conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What diagnostic label someone might best fit is not a requirement for someone to be neurodivergent anyway. Neurodivergence assessment services tend to have waiting lists best measured in years, if they exist at all. Most neurodivergent people likely become aware of their neurodivergence far before they receive any kind of assessment due to the obstacles, discrimination, and\/or social exclusion they face. They might not know exactly what technical label fits them, but they do know that they are neurodivergent. Being neurodivergent also comes with a community, which is especially important for a group which faces significant social exclusion. People are unique, and that diversity is important for our communities and the richness of the human experience. It has been affirming to see the growth of the neurodivergent community over the past few years, and I am particularly thankful for the folk that have had the courage to put themselves out there and pave the way for wider visibility. I look forward to seeing how our community continues to evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-03627597 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/den-chairs-blog-archive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Blog archive<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull fullstretch has-light-accent-plum-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e09cb750 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Contact Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Contact us to be added to the mailing list and receive the Teams&nbsp;link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons downlink is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-03627597 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"mailto:loth.disabilitynetwork@nhs.scot\">Email Disabled Employee Network<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-fsb-flexible-spacer fsb-flexible-spacer\"><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--lg\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--md\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><div class=\"fsb-flexible-spacer__device fsb-flexible-spacer__device--sm\" style=\"margin-bottom:-190px\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS Disabled Employee Network (DEN) Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment &ndash; some lesser and others higher &ndash; which can impact on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/noorangewidewidth.php","meta":{"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-55","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"stephenharris","author_link":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/author\/stephenharris\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"NHS LOTHIAN | STAFF NETWORKS Disabled Employee Network (DEN) Around 40% of the workforce have some form of impairment &ndash; some lesser and others higher &ndash; which can impact on","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":60,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":575,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/55\/revisions\/575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staff.nhslothian.scot\/den\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}