Business Disability Forum

Business Disability Forum’s Disability Today podcast series will discuss the issues that affect us now, and will be part of our reality tomorrow. All too often, disabled people are overlooked and forgotten when considering what the future holds, and the challenges the world faces today. Leading experts will join Business Disability Forum CEO Diane Lightfoot to discuss how disabled people and business are or will be affected. These debates will explore the challenges, and the solutions to creating a more inclusive world. In the first episode of the series, AI Friend or foe? Diane discusses if disabled people risk being further excluded from jobs by the increasing use of AI or if new technology always creates new opportunities with guests Christopher Patnoe Head of EMEA Accessibility and Disability Inclusion at Google and Claire Cookson, CEO of Pathways Education Ltd, an organisation committed to re-engineering SEND education though the development of pioneering technology, education settings and national policy. Business Disability Forum is the leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion. www.businessdisabilityforum.org.uk

If You Don't Mind Me Asking... Season 2 Recap by Business Disability Forum

In the last episode of the series, we're talking workplace adjustments (accommodations). We're joined by PwC graduate apprentice Morgan McArthur and Graeme Crook, from PwC's IT and digital accessibility team. Morgan tells us about the impact of her multiple disabilities including dyslexia and a recent ADHD diagnosis, on her university study and work. She talks very positively about her recruitment and onboarding experience, the speed of access to workplace adjustments and support available at PwC.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode talks about the loss of a child and bereavement in general. This is the second of a two-part episode, where Chantel Emery, (BDF Advice Service Officer) who has lived experience of disability and Karan Snuggs (BDF Business Partner) who originally trained as a nurse and bereavement counsellor, join Lucy and Dan to talk about grief and loss. We'd advise you listen to or watch part 1 first. In this episode we continue to discuss the impact of an acquired disability, being a parent to disabled children, grief experienced as a carer, and how grief and loss support from employers cannot be a one-size fits all approach.

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode talks about the loss of a child and bereavement in general. In the first of this two-part episode, Chantel Emery, (BDF Advice Service Officer) who has lived experience of disability and Karan Snuggs (BDF Business Partner) who originally trained as a nurse and bereavement counsellor, join Lucy and Dan to talk about grief and loss. They discuss the impact of an acquired disability, being a parent to disabled children and how grief and loss support from employers cannot be a one-size fits all approach.

Peter Torres Fremlin is the Editor of Disability Debrief, a weekly newsletter which 'sees world news through a disability lens'. In this episode, he talks to Lucy and Dan about his experiences of disability working in international development, how the challenges and often innovative solutions vary in different places and prevalent global trends and challenges affecting disabled people.

Linda Pike works in global cybersecurity for BT. She acquired several permanent health conditions after contracting encephalitis. She talks to Lucy and Dan about how she manages these multiple conditions, how adding menopause to the mix has affected her, why she's happy to be part of BT's Able to Network signposting colleagues to support and the challenges of navigating less-visible disabilities.

Isaac Harvey MBE joins Lucy and Dan to talk about his many roles - content creator, video editor, President of Wheels and Wheelchairs, disability advocate, Patron of Happy Smiles, Fashion Week model and more - and why he's become much more vocal about disability on his social channels.

If You Don't Mind Me Asking... - Episode 9 - Season Recap by Business Disability Forum

In the last episode of this series, Lucy and Dan are joined by Business Disability Forum Advice Service Officer Chantel Emery who talks about her extraordinary journey from a life-changing car accident, the birth of her quadruplets, to dealing with loss, gratitude and learning to live for each day.

In this episode, Lucy is joined by Global Head of Disability Inclusion, Thoughtworks and Digital Accessibility Advocate Matthew Johnston, who talks about how accessible technology has impacted his life.

In episode 6, Lucy and Dan are joined by Business Disability Forum’s George Wright, who like millions of other people in the UK, is still having to take extra precautions around COVID-19. George speaks about how lockdown and the recent return to ‘normal’ has affected her everyday life.

In this episode, Lucy and Dan are joined by activist, writer, researcher and public speaker Heather Lacey who talks about her experiences with cerebral palsy, chronic pain, fatigue and mobility issues: “Disabled people are not going away... we are at least one in five of your workforces, and we need to make sure that there's always things progressing and changing and there's room for improvement... and we need to continue to keep this at the very top of the agenda,” says Heather. Episodes are being released fortnightly on our website and on main streaming services.

In this episode, Lucy and Dan are joined by LaMondre Pough, CEO of Billion Strong, an organisation aimed at empowering disabled people all over the world. Lamondre talks about his early childhood, how dangerous assumptions can potentially change the trajectory of a person’s life and career and the positive influence of his mother and sister.

If You Don't Mind Me Asking... - Ep 3 - Michael Vermeersch by Business Disability Forum

Actress, author and disability campaigner Samantha Renke talks about her work, life, great shopping experiences, her innate confidence, working with Fearne Cotton on her new book and more.

In Episode 1 of “If you don’t mind me asking…” Lucy Ruck and Daniel Cadey interview each other about their own lived experiences of disability. Please feel free to “like” the episode and share your thoughts in the comments section. Also listen at: https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/knowledge-hub/resources/if-you-dont-mind-me-asking/

Business Disability Forum’s Disability Business Partner Courtney Swaby shares his story around mental health with CEO Diane Lightfoot.

The nominations for The Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 are open, so our CEO Diane Lightfoot spoke to previous nominees Natasha Trotman, Shani Dhanda, Adi Latif and Samantha Renke to ask about what being on the list has meant to them. Diane is also joined by Clare Gray, Organisational Lead for Disability Advocacy at Shaw Trust who explains the importance of the list and why you should nominate someone or an organisation.

In this episode, Diane Lightfoot spoke with David Oldfield Lloyds Banking Group Executive Champion about best practice on disability inclusion, why David is so passionate about being a disability champion and the importance of senior leaders in this area.

In this episode, Diane Lightfoot speaks with Lexxic founder Nicola James about her personal experience with dyslexia, the pros and cons of neurodiverse labels in the workplace and Nicola gives advice on how to access assessments.

In this episode, Diane Lightfoot speaks to Stuart Blair who works for texthelp in their workplace solutions team. Stuart explains to positive impact working for home has on employees with neurodiverse conditions. The support that business can put in place to ensure everyone can access the technology they need and what texthelp has done to make sure users can access their services.

Business Disability Debates with Diane Lightfoot and Dr Nancy Doyle by Business Disability Forum

Diane Lightfoot speaks to Professor Amanda Kirby CEO of Do-IT Solutions about neurodiversity in the workplace. Diane and Amanda also discuss what the world could look like post-COVID-19 and the opportunity to reinvent the workplace.

Business Disability Global Debates: with Diane Lightfoot and Lyn Lee by Business Disability Forum

This week our CEO Diane Lightfoot spoke with Global Head of Accessibility for Atos, Neil Milliken. about working from home during the lockdown and the upcoming Global accessibility awareness day (GAAD) which is on May 21. Neil tells us what the day means to him and how Atos are celebrating it.

We are delighted to present to you our new podcast series business disability debates sponsored by HSBC, our CEO Diane Lightfoot is speaking with Business Disability Forum board member and founder of 50 million voices, Iain Wilkie. In this series, we explore and debate the key disability issues of today Diane and Iain talk about Iain's early life and work-life and if these were affected by having a stammer.

We are delighted to present to you our latest podcast, Brendan Roach Global Taskforce & Partner Development Manager is joined by Business Disability Forum board member and founder of 50 million voices, Iain Wilkie. In this episode, Brendan's and Iain talk about the importance of senior leaders being open about having a disability. The reaction to someone who stammers in different countries and why Iain founded 50 million voices.

In this second part of Brendan's and Lucy's conversation with Debra, they talk about the importance of global inclusion and the emergence of AI.

We are delighted to present to you our latest podcast, Brendan Roach Global Taskforce & Partner Development Manager and Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck are joined by Ruh Global IMPACT CEO and founder Debra Ruh. In this episode Brendan, Lucy and Debra talk about how disability has impacted Debra's life in a professional and personal way.

In this episode Bela and Catherine will be talking about the rights of disabled customers, clients, service users – whatever they might be called; people who the Equality Act 2010 says have the right not to be discriminated against by service providers. Why are there so few cases against service providers? Is it because there is no discrimination or is it because the law and enforcement isn’t fit for purpose and if so what can be done.

In this episode from Business Disability Forum, Bela Gor and Microlink CEO Nasser Siabi discuss a neurofeedback device FocusBand. Nasser feels this technology which has been used by athletes to remain calm and focused in competitions could be beneficial to employees in the workplace to managing their own mental health.

We are delighted to present to you our latest podcast, the first of our new legal podcast series, Business Disability Forum's Head of Campaigns & Legal Bela Gor speaks to Catherine Casserley who specialises in discrimination and equality, employment and human rights law.

We are delighted to present to you our latest podcast, the third and last in our new global podcast series, Business Disability Forum's senior disability consultant Brendan Roach speaks to Fundación ONCE consultant Edurne Alvarez de Mon. This series covers the theme of 'identity' on a global stage - Brendan talks with Edurne about her role at Fundación ONCE and what she feels Spain gets right and what could improve in terms of disability inclusion.

This series covers the theme of 'identity' on a global stage - Brendan talks with Caroline about her goal of influencing at least 500 companies to commit to having disability on their board agenda.

Senior disability consultant Brendan Roach speaks to British ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce about disability on a global scale.

Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck has a call with Diversity & Knowledge Manager for KPMG Neil Eustice .

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with our founder of Making lemonade and head of employment for Thomas Pocklington Trust Steph Cutler. This series covers the theme of "identity" - Lucy talk with Steph about the impact sight loss has had in her work and social life.

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with our Executive Team Assistant Katherine Beavis. This series covers the theme of "identity" - Lucy finds out how Katherine identifies as having a non visible and visible disability.

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with Martyn Sibley Disability Horizons co-founder, blogger, author & podcaster. This series covers the theme of "identity" - Martyn tells Lucy about his life of travel, experiences through school and his ultimate goal.

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with Corie Brown from Channel 4.This series covers the theme of "identity" - Lucy finds out how Corie became continuity announcer & co-Chair of 4Purple.

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with Caroline Eglinton from Network Rail. This series covers the theme of "identity" - Lucy and Caroline talk about how growing up in a small town meant having to live a secret life.

Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with Graeme Whippy MBE. Lucy and Graeme talk about how disability has changed over the years in their lives.

In the first of our new series of podcasts, Business Disability Forum's Technology Taskforce Manager Lucy Ruck sits down with CEO Diane Lightfoot. This series covers the theme of "identity" - and Lucy and Diane have a thoroughly candid conversation about how disability has played a part in their lives.

Diversity and technology with Neil Milliken by Business Disability Forum

With the fast approaching General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which will come into affect 25 May 2018, senior disability consultant Charles Clement and business disability advisor Kim Whippy discuss the importance of data monitoring.

To mark the United Nations (UN) International Day of Disabled Persons (5 December 2018) we are joined by Business Disability Forum Chief Executive Officer Diane Lightfoot and Senior Disability Consultant Brendan Roach. They discuss how important organisations are in pushing disability best practice forward to improve the lives of disabled people globally.

In this episode our CEO Diane Lightfoot meets with the Bank of England’s Director for Banknotes and Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland to discuss the upcoming launch of the new Jane Austin £10 note on 14 September 2017 and how the note has been developed with accessibility in mind.

Business Disability Forum CEO Diane Lightfoot and Senior Disability Consultant Charles Clement discuss the topic of unemployment for people with learning disabilities. Diane and Charles discuss how to recruit and retain employees with learning disabilities, what help is available for your organisation, what help is available for an employee with a learning disability, how to remove barriers within the application process and the benefits of hiring a person with a learning disability.

In this episode Daniel Wiles and Michael Vermeersch discuss the barriers created in the workplace for people with autism. This episode covers: - Different ways of thinking - sequential and parallel thinking.  - How to create the best environment for all employees to be at their best. - The barriers neurotypical people are unaware they create. - How changing structures can help neurodiverse employees. Tune in to also hear about Michael's presentation 'If I can be myself I can be my best' and how Microsoft's diverse environment helped him improve things for disabled customers and employees.

Today is World Mental Health Day (10 October 2017), to mark the occasion our Advice Service & Policy Manager Angela Matthews sat down with Senior Disability Consultant Christopher Watkins to discuss this year’s theme, workplace well-being.

In this episode by Lucy Ruck , Business Disability Forum’s Technology Taskforce Manager interviews David Caldwell, Barclays’ IT Accessibility Manager to find out how Barclays have used our Accessibility Maturity Model (AMM) to find out how well they are doing in regards to accessible technology and to identify areas that they need to do more work in.

In this podcast Dr. Siabi and Business Disability Forum's George Selvanera discuss the challenges of implementing a successful workplace adjustments process and the benefits Microlink has seen. Dr Siabi is Microlink’s Founder and CEO, he has 25 years’ experience delivering adjustments, helping over a quarter of a million people with disabilities  health conditions to succeed in education and employment.

Hear Business Disability Forum's Advice service discuss non-visible disabilities, the most common topic that managers contacted them for advice and guidance on in 2016. Our Senior Disability Consultants Charles Clement and Christopher Watkins talk about why employers struggle with managing non-visible disabilities and give practical advice on how to get this right.