18 Nov 2020| Online

If you have any queries regarding our upcoming events, please contact:

Henry Bowater
Customer Service Assistant
conference.admin@dods-events.com
020 7593 5739

Overview
Wednesday, 18th November 2020 | Online

The business case for disability inclusivity is clear; employees with disabilities bring unique perspectives, resilience and problem-solving abilities to workplaces. Just 1 in 2 people with disabilities are in work, however, compared with over 80% of the non-disabled population, representing a vast pool of untapped talent. 

The current shift towards working from home and the organisational changes brought about by COVID-19 present a unique chance to overhaul workplace policy and culture to better support and include staff with disabilities. It is crucial that organisations seize this opportunity to foster greater disability-inclusivity.  

At our upcoming 'Managing Disability at Work' event, you will foster a better understanding of disability and the steps needed to become a disability-confident employer. You will also come away with a crucial understanding of employer responsibilities as staff work remotely. 

Please note that video recordings of all sessions will be made available to delegates following the event. 

Sponsored by assistive technology providers TextHelp and Microlink. Please click here for more information.

Click here to view the full agenda
Key speakers:
  • Mark Russell, Inclusion, Diversity & Social Equality Advisor, KPMG
  • Loraine Martins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Network Rail
  • Diane Lightfoot, Chief Executive Officer, Business Disability Forum

  •  Fazilet Hadi, Head of Policy, Disability Rights UK

  • Karen Jackson, Founder-Director, didlaw

  • Kate Nash OBE, Founder & Chief Networkologist, PurpleSpace

  • Helen de Bretton, Director of Corporate Solutions, Microlink PC
  • Trishna Bharadia, Translator and Health Advocate
  • Louise McQuillan, Workplace Solutions Specialist, Texthelp
  • Jen Rooney, Founder, The Wellbeing Tortoise
  • Paul White, Chief Executive Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme 

Why attend? 
  • Learn how to recruit, manage and support staff with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to progress and flourish within your organisation
  • Bring new, innovative ideas on increasing and supporting disability in your workplace back to your organisation, with the insight needed to put them into practice 
  • Hear from leading figures about how to educate staff and foster understanding of disability within your organisation
  • Earn a CPD certificate for your personal progression
  • Enjoy an opportunity to engage with expert speakers and your peers
Who should attend? 

Anyone with an interest in creating a disability-friendly workplace, including: employers; HR managers/officers; wellbeing officers; senior managers; consultants; trade unions; and representative groups.

Registration

Public Sector rate: 1 Place £195 (+VAT) | 4+ Places £150 each (+VAT)
Corporate rate: 1 Place £395 (+VAT)
Charity rate: 1 Place £145 (+VAT)

Registrations can be made online here
To request a manual booking form, please email conference.admin@dodsgroup.com

 

Agenda
09:00
Welcoming Session

Kiren Kaur, Diversity & Inclusion Event Manager, Dods PLC

09:05
Chair's introduction

SPEAKER: Kate Nash OBE, Founder & Chief Networkologist, PurpleSpace

09:15
Understanding Disability at Work, using the Equality Act and the Social Model
  • Using the Social Model to reframe disability and address common barriers to disabled people’s employment
  • Equality Act: rights, responsibilities and definitions

SPEAKER: Fazilet Hadi, Head of Policy, Disability Rights UK

SPEAKER: Karen Jackson, Founder-Directordidlaw

10.00
Comfort Break
10:05
Supporting disabled staff to work from home
  • Understanding duty of care when working remotely
  • Simple adjustments which can make all the difference
  • Providing management and support from afar

SPEAKER: Jen Rooney, Founder, The Wellbeing Tortoise

10:30
Comfort Break
10:35
Ensuring equal opportunities for disabled staff with assistive technology: a case study from Microlink

SPEAKER: Helen de Bretton, Director of Corporate Solutions, Microlink PC

10:55
Comfort Break
11:00
Why workplace accommodations are more important than ever - a case study from TextHelp

SPEAKER: Louise McQuillan, Workplace Solutions Specialist, Texthelp

11:20
Comfort Break
11:30
Case Study: Leading the way: becoming a Disability Confident employer
  • The business case for becoming a Disability Confident Employer
  • Disability-friendly hiring: inclusive communications and non-biased interviewing
  • Using data to drive conversations and ensure accountability and engagement

SPEAKER: Loraine Martins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Network Rail

12.10
Comfort Break
12:15
Fostering a disability-inclusive culture, both in the office and remotely 
  • Supporting, developing and retaining disabled staff 
  • Re-framing discussions around disability 

SPEAKER: Diane Lightfoot, Chief Executive Officer, Business Disability Forum

12:45
Break for Lunch
13:45
In-depth discussion: Shedding light on hidden disability 
  • What is hidden disability
  • Why your organisation is probably more diverse that you realise 
  • Encouraging confidence in disclosing conditions and asking for help

SPEAKER: Paul White, Chief Executive Officer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme

SPEAKER: Trishna Bharadia, Translator and Health Advocate

SPEAKER: Mark Russell, Inclusion, Diversity & Social Equality Advisor, KPMG

14:45
Comfort Break
15:00
Keynote Address:
Disability at Work: Enabling staff to achieve their potential

SPEAKER: Diane Lightfoot, Chief Executive Officer, Business Disability Forum

15:30
Chair's Closing Remarks

SPEAKER: Kate Nash OBE, Founder & Chief Networkologist, PurpleSpace

15:40
Event Close