Conference

Disability Summit 2025

Bookings are now open for our annual Disability Summit taking place virtually on 19 March 2025.
Register for the event here External link icon

General information

Time
19 March 2025 09:30 - 16:00 GMT
Audience
Open to all

Join us virtually on 19 March 2025 for an unmissable event for anyone in the health and care sector looking to create a more inclusive working environment for people with disabilities.

The Disability Summit will support organisations, HR professionals, equality, diversity and inclusion leads, and managers to remove some of the barriers found in recruitment processes, career development, bullying, and discrimination. The summit will share insights and good practices on what we can do to achieve these goals at a personal, organisational, and system level.

Why attend? 

  • Hear from a range of disability experts.
  • Join thought-provoking discussions and engaging breakout sessions. 
  • Enhance your knowledge and confidence to effect positive change within your organisation. 
  • Access good practice from other organisations.

Programme and speakers 

Our summit will feature a diverse range of expert speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and good practices to help you create workplace cultures in which disabled people can thrive.

Find more details about the programme below.

“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.

  • 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 is also open to non-NHS organisations. 

  • 9:30-10:00amWelcome from our co-hosts followed by a keynote address 
    10:00-10:45am

    Equity in recruitment practice

    • Adeshola Akanji, Outpatients Transformation and Efficiency Project Manager, Barts Health NHS Trust.
    • Stuart Moore, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead (Workforce Education and Training), NHS England
    • Jane Hatton, Founder and CEO, Evenbreak
    10:45-11:00am Break and virtual networking
    11:00-11:35am

    Keynote address

    • Dr Darren Ralph, Director of Inclusion, University Hospitals Birmingham
    11:35-11:40am Comfort break
    11:40am - 12:30pm

    Panel discussions (choice of two)

    1. Navigating assistive technology and artificial intelligence

    • Dr Nasser Siabi OBE, CEO, Microlink
    • Helen Merrick, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
    • Haseeb Ahmad, Leicestershire Partnership Trust
    • Mary Lavender, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
    • Meike Bliebenicht, DE&I Director and Accessibility/Neurodiversity Lead, BP. 

    2. Neurodiversity

    • 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

    Virtual lunch tables will be available for delegates to join if they would like to network.

    1:35-2:30pm

    Disability inclusion in action

    Hear from disabled staff working in the health and social care about their experiences and case studies from the some of the best performing trusts in the Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES). 

    2:30-2:45pm Break and online networking
    2:45-2:50pmWelcome back from the co-hosts
    2:50-3:40pm 

    Breakout sessions 

    1. Leading change 
    2. The importance of staff networks
    3. Understanding hidden disabilities
    4. Access to work
    5. Psychological safety
    3:40-3:45pm Comfort break
    3:45-4:15pm 

    Keynote address

    Samantha Renke, Actress, Broadcaster, Writer, Disability Rights Campaigner, and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant.

    4:15-4:30pm Closing remarks
  • If you are interested in becoming an event partner or supporter, please contact our commercial team to explore opportunities: commercialteam@nhsconfed.org

  • We are committed to hosting an inclusive and accessible event that enables people with differing needs to attend and engage fully. Please get in touch if you have any specific requirements by emailing diversityandinclusion@nhsemployers.org.