A new understanding of disability: creating disability-inclusive workplaces
A new understanding of disability:
creating disability-inclusive workplaces
Disability Stereotypes Working environment Good practices Tips
Roxane Lavanchy
Roxane (she/her) is an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) facilitator, consultant and researcher working in English and French. Her approach is values-led, collaborative and nuanced – rooted in social justice, integrity, community and curiosity.
This keynote aims to equip your workforce with the knowledge and tools to better understand disability, advocate for your own needs if you are disabled yourself, support colleagues and help foster inclusive work environments where everyone can thrive. Rooted in the Social Model of Disability and person-centred approaches, and informed by lived experience, it provides a space to reflect on the way disability is (mis-)understood and lived.
In this session, you will:
Learn what disability is and how it is commonly defined and misunderstood.
Gain insights into the prevalence of disability in our society and the diverse needs and experiences of disabled individuals.
Explore the barriers disabled people may face at work and their impact.
Learn inclusive practices to create an inclusive and accessible workplace for yourself and others.
The main takeaways from this session are:
Changing our understanding of disability – What is disability? This session explores how society has defined and approached disability by introducing participants to the different models of disability and the types of barriers disabled people might face.
The language of disability – This session explores the evolution and nuances of language in relation to disability and its impact on the disabled community.
What shapes our attitudes - This session explores common stereotypes and representation of disability and their real impact on disabled people.
Fostering disability inclusion – This interactive session focuses on how we can anticipate or remove disabling barriers by exploring relevant legislation, how to make accommodation and embed inclusive practices.
About Roxane Lavanchy:
Roxane (she/her) is an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) facilitator, consultant and researcher working in English and French. Her approach is values-led, collaborative and nuanced – rooted in social justice, integrity, community and curiosity. She designs and delivers practical and engaging training and consultancy interventions that are participative, reflective and tailored to the realities of each organisation.
Originally from Switzerland and now based in the UK, she brings a global and intersectional lens to her practice. Her expertise draws on both academic grounding – in International Relations, communications, media and culture – and hands-on professional experience in the Disabled-led sector, EDI space, participatory research, and grassroots organising. It is also deeply shaped by her lived experience of, sexism, disability, neurodivergence and migration.
Her expertise spans a variety of topics, including disability inclusion, neurodiversity, intersectionality, bullying and harassment prevention, inclusive recruitment, and inclusive communication.
Roxane has worked with diverse range of organisations from universities and government bodies to non-profits, businesses, and cultural institutions – across sectors including politics, healthcare, higher education, transport, arts and culture, humanitarian aid and tech.
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