Conference

Disability Summit 2025

Name: Disability Summit 2025
Start: 2025-03-19
End: 2025-03-19

Our virtual Disability Summit shared lived experiences and good practice to help organisations create disability inclusive workplaces.

General information

Time: 19 March 2025 09:30 - 16:30 GMT
Add to calendar: Google iCal
Audience: Open to all
Sponsor: Microlink

Speakers

Celia Chartres-Aris
SPAD (Government Special Advisor) Disability & Health
Olayinka Iwu
Disability Advocate and Assistant Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, NHS England
Samantha Renke
Actress, Broadcaster, Writer, Disability Rights Campaigner and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant
Alison McGovern MP
Minister of State Department for Work and Pensions
Jane Hatton
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Evenbreak
Sandi Wassmer
Chief Executive Officer Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei)
Susan Scott-Parker
Founder Scott-Parker International and Business Disability International
Graham Huggins
Neurodiversity Workplace Assessor, Assistive Technology Training and Coach Neurodiversity Assessment Tech Training and Coaching (NATTC)
Adeshola Akanji
Group Co-chair for the Disability Network Barts Health NHS Trust
Dr Melissa Carr
Lecturer in International Human Resource Management and Director of EDI in the World of Work Institute Henley Business School
Hattie Llewelyn-Davies
Chair The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust
Gina Patel
Disability and Wellbeing Network co-chair NHS England
Ann Weekes
EDI Service Development Lead North London Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Stuart Moore
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead: Workforce, Training and Education Directorate

A graphic which reads: Disability Summit: Creating disability inclusive workplaces, 19 March 2025, Online conference. Book your place.

Our Disability Summit featured over 40 speakers that shared insights, lived experiences and good practice to help create workplace cultures in which disabled people can thrive.

Delegates were able to engage with a range of disability experts through thought-provoking discussions and interactive breakout sessions; discover strategies to eliminate barriers; and gain valuable insights and best practice from organisations that have effectively created inclusive environments for disabled people.

Our co-chairs for the day included multi-award-winning disabled government special advisor, Celia Chartres-Aris, and disability advocate and assistant director of equality, diversity, and inclusion at NHS England, Olayinka Iwu.

Key messages from the day

Nearly 1 in 4 NHS staff have a disability or long-term health condition.
Building inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
Boards must set the culture of the organisation and champion disability.
It's a legal requirement for employers to provide reasonable adjustments - also known as workplace adjustments.
Create psychologically safe environments where staff feel comfortable speaking about their disability and the adjustments they need.
Ensure that structure, processes and resources are in place to create workplace adjustments.
A tailored ️approach to workplace adjustments is essential - each disabled person has different needs
Educate and train line managers and staff on understanding disability, neurodivergence and workplace adjustments.
Have inclusion ambassadors on interview panels.
Make it simple for candidates to ask for interview adjustments.
Use adaptive technology and AI – a lifeline for so many people.
Be visible as a disabled lead - staff need role models who look like them and sound like them.
Neurodivergent people can enhance teams and bring better outcomes.
Engage with staff disability networks and feedback to the board.
Move conversations to empathy – focus on the assets of individuals.
A happy workforce will improve patient care.

Senior leaders, managers, occupational health colleagues, trade unions, HR and equality practitioners, disabled staff/students and disabled staff network chairs, and anyone else with an interest in disability. The event was also open to non-NHS organisations.

Programme

8.30-9:00am	Breakfast session: Overcoming 'blank page syndrome' with our event supporter MindView Starting a project or task can be challenging when faced with a blank page. Matthew Jones demonstrated how MindView helps structure ideas, improve organisation, and support effective planning. Through a live walkthrough, attendees gained practical insights into using mind mapping to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
9:00-9:30am	Breakfast session: The business value of adjustment management with our event partner Microlink Susan Scott Parker OBE and Nasser Siabi OBE discussed their findings on effective adjustment management and its critical role in supporting the NHS. They highlighted how a fit-for-purpose adjustment service can enhance retention, productivity, and wellbeing among NHS staff, particularly those who are neurodivergent or managing disabilities. The conversation focused on the twelve critical success factors, emphasising the need for a dedicated service manager, a single-entry point, and a reasonable speed of delivery. They also explored the benefits of a trust-based approach over a compliance-driven culture, aiming to deliver adjustments promptly, fairly, and cost-effectively.
9:30-9:50am	Welcome from our co-hosts Celia Chartres-Aris, Multi-award winning Disabled Government Special Advisor, Co-Founder Disabled by Society, Global Future Young Leader UK Ambassador- One Young World, Disability Unit Regional Stakeholder- Cabinet Office Olayinka Iwu, Assistant Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, NHS England London
9:50-10:00am	Keynote address: Improving equity for disabled people in the workplace Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State (Minister for Employment), Department for Work and Pensions Alison provided insights on what the government is doing nationally to improve equity for disabled people in the workplace and what actionable strategies employers can embed locally, such as disability pay gap monitoring, Access to Work and workplace support.
10:00-10:45am	Equity in recruitment practice Our panel discussion shared how the health and social care sector could lead the way in recruiting more disabled people, making our workplaces accessible for all and creating workplace cultures in which disabled staff can thrive. Adeshola Akanji, Outpatients Transformation and Efficiency Project Manager and Group Co-Chair for the Disability Network, Barts Health NHS Trust. Stuart Moore, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead (Workforce Education and Training), NHS England Jane Hatton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Evenbreak Susan Scott-Parker, Founder, Scott-Parker International
10:45-11:00am	Break and virtual networking
11:00-11:35am	Keynote address: Transforming support at University Hospitals Birmingham Dr Darren Ralph, Director of Inclusion, University Hospitals Birmingham Insights on the multi-faceted approach University Hospitals Birmingham has taken to transform support for disabled staff and how this has shifted the organisation’s culture.
11:35-11:40am	Comfort break
11:40am - 12:30pm	Panel discussions (choice of two) 1. Navigating assistive technology and artificial intelligence Our experts discussed how assistive technology can support disabled staff in their roles. Panellists shared practical insights about using AI and how this is being used both in the NHS and in other sectors to improve working lives. Dr Nasser Siabi OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Microlink Helen Merrick, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust Mary Lavender, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust 2. Exploring neurodiversity Our experts explored why we should embrace neurodiversity and the benefits it can bring to your workforce, and how you can support neurodivergent colleagues, especially those diagnosed later in life. Tracey Abbott, Access Consultant - Recruitment, Microlink Rachel Rummery, Consultant Paediatric and Perinatal Pathologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Sandi Wassmer, Chief Executive, enei Alice McCarron, Chair of Neurodiversity Staff Network, Devon Partnership NHS Trust
12.20-12.30pm	Reflections from the co-hosts
12:30-1:30pm	Lunch break
1:30-2:30pm	Disability inclusion in action The session shared real-life examples of disability inclusion, personal insights and good practice case studies that showcase initiatives that have had a positive impact for both individuals and organisations. It featured case studies from two organisations, and delved into crucial topics of the Workforce Disability Equality Standard. It also shared strategies for career progression and effective ways to reduce bullying and harassment in the workplace.
2:30-2:50pm	Break and online networking
2:50-3:40pm	Breakout sessions Leading change: What boards can do This session explored the role of boards in developing disability confidence in their managers and across their organisations and systems in order to advance inclusion. Joan Saddler, Director of Partnerships and Equality, NHS Confederation Faisal Hussain, Deputy Chair, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and Chair, Spinal Injuries Association Trust Hattie Llewelyn-Davies, Chair, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust Sandra Coley, Senior Disability Business Partner, Business Disability Forum The importance of staff networks Disabled staff network leads talked about the important role they play in keeping Workforce Disability Equality Standard strategies and plans on track. Richard Molyneux, Disability Inclusion Group Chair, NHS Confederation Ann Weekes, EDI Service Development Lead, North London NHS Foundation Trust Stuart Moore, Director of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (CIC) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead: Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, NHS England. Gina Patel, Disability and Wellbeing Network co-chair, NHS England Understanding hidden disabilities This session provided an overview of what it is like living and working with a hidden disability in the NHS and tips on how to make your environments more inclusive for people with hidden disabilities. Kataya McKeever-Willis, Senior Programme Officer: Diversity and Inclusion, NHS Employers Nicky Bowbrick Parry, Reasonable Adjustment Advisor, East of England Ambulance Service Trust Barbara Molony-Oates, Public Involvement Manager, Health Research Authority Usmaan Khan, Lived-experience Partner and Patient and Public Voice (PPV) Partner, NHS England and Public Speaker. Navigating Access to Work Our experts shared insights to enable better outcomes for disabled colleagues. Robert McLaren, Director of Policy, Policy Connect Graham Huggins, Neurodiversity Workplace Assessor, Assistive Technology Training and Coach, Neurodiversity Assessment Tech Training and Coaching (NATTC) Deborah Cox, Workplace Adjustments Officer, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Fostering psychological safety We explored how to build psychologically safe environments for disabled colleagues which eliminate the conditions where bullying, harassment and abuse occur. Dr Melissa Carr, Director of EDI in the World of Work Institute and Lecturer in International Human Resource Management, Henley Business School Dr Justin Aunger, Department of Applied Health Sciences Research Fellow, University of Birmingham and University of Surrey Nick Clarke, Deputy Director Policy and Governance, NHS England Chris Picknett, Workforce Equality Diversity and Inclusion Project Manager, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
3:40-3:45pm	Comfort break
3:45-4:15pm	Keynote address: You are the best thing since sliced bread Samantha Renke, Actress, Broadcaster, Writer, Disability Rights Campaigner and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Sam Renke, a prominent figure in the disability world talked about her campaigns for disability rights, including ableism in workplaces and how to talk to people at work in order to have independence and autonomy.
4:15-4:30pm	Closing remarks from our co-hosts

Event partner: Microlink
Microlink is the UK’s leading provider of assistive technology, workplace adjustments and accessibility solutions. Since 1992, they have enabled over half a million people with disabilities and health conditions to succeed in education and employment.
Microlink’s ethos is that, with considered and personalised support, all people, no matter their health condition, can unlock their enormous value and potential.
In the UK and internationally, Microlink has helped hundreds of thousands of disabled people in work and education to unlock and realise their potential.
Microlink offers a broad portfolio of award-winning solutions for organisations looking to develop and support a diverse and inclusive workforce while bringing the very best out of every individual.
They stock the UK’s largest array of cutting-edge assistive technologies, offer bespoke workplace adjustment services, advise on inclusive recruitment, help to ensure your organisation’s digital assets are accessible to all and design and create physically accessible spaces.
Microlink helps assess, advise, supply, train and support anyone, from large corporations to individual students, so that they can remove the barriers which obstruct disabled people’s pathways to success.
Event supporter: MindView by Matchware
MindView is a leading mind mapping and assistive technology tool designed to support individuals in organising ideas, managing projects, and improving productivity. Widely used across education, private, and public sectors, including the NHS, MindView provides a structured, visual approach to information processing, helping individuals overcome challenges such as 'blank page syndrome' and cognitive overload.
With strong integration into workplace and academic environments, MindView facilitates effective planning, enhances collaboration, and supports neurodivergent individuals in achieving their full potential. Recognised for its accessibility and ease of use, MindView is a valuable tool for fostering inclusion and efficiency in diverse professional settings.

“One of my favourite events of the year, bringing together a diverse range of passionate staff, people professionals, experts and keynote speakers who are dedicated to improving working experiences of disabled staff in the NHS.”
2023 Disability Summit delegate