Oxford University apologises after eye contact racism claim irks autism community

'The newsletters authors need a reality check', said a professor of sociology at University of Kent

Oxford University has apologised after it was accused of discriminating against autistic people.

This claim was included in an equality and diversity unit newsletter published by the university which stated that avoiding eye contact could be "everyday racism."

However, the university was criticised for being “inconsiderate” towards autistic people who struggle making eye contact.

The Oxford management later said it had made a mistake and not taken disabilities into account.

When defining what “racial micro-aggressions” might include, the university included, "not making eye contact or speaking directly to people."

It described the behaviours as everyday racism which can be isolating.



‘Discrimination’

Twitter users criticised the newsletter.
https://twitter.com/cjsnowdon/status/857933591153713154
https://twitter.com/DavidJo52951945/status/857983670040354816

https://t.co/FEUWkWfUt9 #Oxford Uni needs to stop playing silly games & concentrate on teaching.

— Rod Bishop (@rodbishop15) April 28, 2017

https://twitter.com/dkahanerules/status/858168336290635777

In a series of tweets, the university apologised for the misconduct.

We are sorry that we took no account of other reasons for difference in eye contact and social interaction, including disability.

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 27, 2017

We made a mistake. Our newsletter was too brief to deal adequately and sensibly with the issue.

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 27, 2017

Oxford deeply values and works hard to support students and staff with disabilities, including those with autism or social anxiety disorder.

— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 27, 2017

“The newsletters authors need a reality check,” said Professor Frank Furedi, an Emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent.

This article originally appeared on BBC