The UnliMited-Staff network supports Maastricht University employees and PhD candidates with a disability, chronic illness or neurodivergence. Our work is rooted in the belief that the lived experiences of our members are essential to driving meaningful, structural change.

We organise a wide range of activities designed to foster connection, visibility and equity across the university:

• Community-building: We facilitate events where staff with shared experiences can meet, exchange ideas and build support networks.
• Inclusive thematic events: We organise events and lectures open to the broader UM community to raise awareness and foster dialogue on disabilities and inclusion.
• Access to resources: We provide information and tools on relevant topics, including workplace accommodations, employment rights and accessibility.
• Policy advocacy and collaboration: We engage with decision-makers and participate in working groups and consultations to help shape inclusive university policies and practices.

At the heart of all our work is the principle: 'Nothing about us, without us'. Our goal is to create a university where all staff members are included, supported and empowered.

To strengthen the inclusivity efforts of the UnliMited-Staff network, Maastricht University has recently established the Disability Inclusion Group (DIG)—a formal working group designed to ensure that the voices and needs of staff with disabilities, chronic illnesses or neurodivergence are embedded in the university’s policymaking processes.

DIG is comprised of UM employees and PhD candidates with lived experience, as well as staff closely associated with someone with a disability. To support the group’s work and ensure sustained impact, UM has appointed Professor Lisa Waddington as its funded coordinator.
 

What DIG does:

• advises on university-wide policies and strategies that affect staff with disabilities
• supports the implementation of UM’s Policy on Staff with a Disability
• organises quarterly meetings to engage the broader UnliMited-Staff network
• promotes awareness and inclusive practices across the university

DIG is guided by the shared principle with UnliMited-Staff: 'Nothing about us, without us' and is dedicated to improving institutional inclusivity, accessibility and equity at every level of the university. For more information, visit the DIG webpage.

The purpose of DIG is to work with UnliMited-Staff to drive lasting, structural change at UM by integrating disability inclusion into the university’s policies, practices and culture. We do this by:

• Raising awareness: DIG promotes awareness and understanding of disability, chronic illness, and neurodivergence across the university through events, campaigns and open dialogue
• Shaping policy: DIG actively contributes to UM-wide policy development to create an environment where people with disabilities, chronic illness or neurodivergence can thrive.
• Removing barriers: DIG helps to identify, raise awareness of and address barriers to inclusion—whether physical, digital, behavioural or institutional.
• Driving progress: DIG works to proactively challenge and address historical patterns of inequality faced by people with disabilities, chronic illness, or neurodivergence—recognising the importance of intersectionality.
• Advising on best practices: DIG is developing its expertise function to recommend effective practices, support the development of action plans and help monitor progress toward clear inclusion goals.
• Ensuring representation: DIG works to ensure lived experience informs decision-making at every level to bring about meaningful, lasting change.
   

DIG does not, except in exceptional cases, provide advice or recommendations on individual staff situations related to disability, chronic illness or neurodivergence.

In such cases, if the line manager, director or dean, and the team’s People & Organisation advisor are unable to find a suitable solution, a designated P&O advisor can be consulted for further support.