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About the event
The subject of Diversity and Inclusion has been front and centre for so many organisations but in looking at embracing diversity, we are often excluding a portion of the workforce from our organisational strategy and policies.
As neurodifferences are often stigmatised, invisible, or masked, this group often doesn't have the representation of other groups on the D&I agenda. And we believe this group has so much to contribute to performance, creativity, and innovation within organisations.
So, what does a neuro-inclusive organisation look like in practice? How might we get started?
We are excited to host a panel on Neurodiversity in the Workplace. In this session, we will cover practical and real-world experience on how organisations can be more neuro-inclusive. While every organisation and culture are different, we have found that many of the core questions and building blocks can overlap.
Specifically, we will cover:
An introduction to neurodiversity in the workplace
Employers' duty of care under the law
Getting buy-in from senior leaders
Good practice examples of positive adjustments from individuals
Good practice examples at an organisational level
Ultimately, creating a neurodiversity-friendly workplace culture is not only the right thing to do, but it can also have a positive impact on the bottom line for the organization
Please note that our events are not being recorded, to encourage our participants to speak openly about their personal stories and experiences.
Aidan Healy | Event Chair
Neurodiversity Celebration Week Campaign Director
Aidan Healy is a Business Psychologist, Campaign Director for Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Chair of Lexxic.
He is on a mission to create a world where all minds belong. A world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the type of brain they have. By celebrating neurodiversity, he believes we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
He has over fifteen years of experience in people development roles holding qualifications in psychology, leadership development and coaching.
Lexxic are a specialist consultancy who are leaders in the field of neurodiversity. With a fifteen-year track record, they partner with organisations, schools, universities, and members of the public to make a positive difference. They create Neurodiversity Smart workplace cultures, high impact training programmes and deliver support services to neurodivergent individuals.
OLD Akua Opong
Senior Analyst, Service Management at LSEG
Akua is an experienced Chartered IT professional having worked in the financial services for over 6 years, currently at LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group). Outside of her main role, Akua is a keen diversity and inclusion advocate, LSEG UK Accessibility Lead, mental health first aider and Community Lead for LSEG’s Women’s Inspired Network. She is passionate about raising the profile of women in STEM, as a Cajigo Mentor and STEM Ambassador.
Akua is a neurodiversity advocate (self identifies as Dyslexic and has ADHD), a fundraiser, Team London ambassador and a keen sports volunteer for Netball England and British Athletics.
Diane Lightfoot
CEO of Business Disability Forum
Diane Lightfoot is CEO of Business Disability Forum, a not-for-profit membership organisation that supports businesses to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers. Business Disability Forum’s 500+ members employ c.20% of the UK workforce and 8 million people worldwide. They range from FTSE 100 companies and central Government departments to technology and construction companies, retailers and public services bodies.
Diane is co-Chair of the Disability Charities Consortium and a member of the Disability Confident Business Leaders Group. She is a member of the Steering Group for the Global Business Disability Network, hosted by the ILO and is passionate about the role of good work in transforming people’s lives.
Leo Capella
Job Coach, National Autistic Society
Leo Capella is in his third professional role at the charity having been a Participation Support Officer for it around nine years ago (it’ll be ten in July).
Prior to re-joining the National Autistic Society he worked at Disability Rights UK for over three years on two different campaigns including one on using social value to create job opportunities for disabled people.
Leo is the former Employee of the Year for the National Autistic Society in 2019.
Sam Willis
Commercial Analyst & Founder and Chair of Cadent’s disability confidence community Thrive!
I am a commercial analyst for Cadent Gas and it’s a role that I love! I am successful and happy in my role due to the adjustments I have in place and Cadent’s approach to neurodiversity.
I am also the founder and joint chair of Thrive! Cadent’s disability confidence community.
I am neurodiverse and have a combination of ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. I’m a huge believer in ability, seeing the whole person and creating environments where everyone can thrive.
Dan Harris
CEO of the Neurodiversity in Business charity
Dan Harris is the founder and CEO of the Neurodiversity in Business charity. NIB has been set up to transform the employment prospects of the 15 to 20% of the workforce who are neurodivergent.
The charity was set up by our founder and a small group of volunteers, who were passionate about changing their own businesses to become more neuroinclusive. This rapidly grew into a significant uptake across the corporate world, given there was such high demand to share best practice and support society generally move forward.