Disability-inclusive
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), an annual celebration of people with disabilities.
Throughout this week, as part of our IDPD coverage, our Disability steering group has been bringing you personal stories from colleagues who either have a disability themselves – both visible and otherwise – or experience of looking after someone with a disability.
Today, Dr Shaun Davis, director compliance and sustainability, describes his role in the Business Disability Forum (BDF).
‘When I was asked to be the HR lead and board member of the BDF, I jumped at the chance,’ said Shaun. ‘There were many reasons for this, for example, it is a natural extension to our work in HR on enhancing diversity and inclusion, it aligns well with my broader health and wellbeing role and it complements the work I do in other areas, such as my role as a leadership team member of Business in the Community and Trustee of the Rowland Hill Fund, the Men’s Health Forum and the Society of Occupational Medicine. All these other organisations have an interest in disability, and so I can bring from these and add to them a range of experiences, best practice and learning.’
What is the Business Disability Forum?
‘The BDF is a not-for-profit membership organisation, which exists to transform the life chances of people with disabilities, working through and with business to create a disability-smart world,’ said Shaun. ‘This through and with focus especially resonates with me as I feel that health, wellbeing and disability all share key aspects of inclusion, ownership and personal empowerment.
‘The BDF achieves its aims by bringing business leaders, people with disabilities, and Government together to understand what needs to change to improve the life opportunities and experiences of disabled people in employment, economic growth, and society more widely.’
Why being a non-executive director of the Business Disability Forum matters to me
‘The BDF are the only organisation that exists to equip and work with every area and level of a business,’ said Shaun. ‘The depth of relationships they have enables them to harness the combined experience of business and people with disabilities to improve business practices and influence disability-related Government policy development.
‘They speak at every level across the whole business, whether communicating a businesses’ vision, driving strategy, writing policies, implementing procedures, designing processes, or managing people, the BDF can work with organisations and share the approaches other businesses in that sector and beyond take.
‘They have tools and resources for leaders, recruitment, learning and development, talent and inclusion, HR, employee relations and engagement, organisational development, health and safety, estates and facilities, communications and marketing, technology, and procurement.
‘In addition, through a range of experts, the BDF has experience in a range of sectors, including: diversity management, recruitment, HR management, employment law, education, disabled people’s care and support services, people and business management and social research. What’s more is they are disability-inclusive, with 65 per cent of their own staff and 60 per cent of their leadership team having a disability or long-term condition, and many of their people are involved in disabled people’s organisations, representing a range of conditions or interests.
‘The BDF has over 300 members and partners and represents a huge cross sector of UK and global business, employing an estimated 20 per cent of the UK workforce and 8m people worldwide. This range and scope to influence and drive the disability agenda forward had a real pull for me. My vision is that we, as one of many members and partners, can be advocates, champions and positive change agents by challenging stereotypes, limitations and perceived restrictions.
‘If, through my work and practical experience, I can help the BDF to provide pragmatic, experience-based practical advice and support, alongside thought leadership, learning and networking opportunities, then I’ll feel I have made a very positive contribution. The BDF shares feedback and experience with Government and policy makers to help shape disability policy that works, so I also feel like I am shaping future workplaces – for the better.’
Supporting our people
As one of the UK’s biggest employers, we are committed to putting equality and diversity at the heart of our business. Call our internal disability helpline on 0800 028 6142 for advice if you are a disabled colleague or manager looking for support with organising reasonable adjustments.
If you have any questions you would like to raise directly with the network, or you would like information on how to obtain support or advice on managing someone with a disability, please email Disabilitysteeringgroup@royalmail.com.
Don’t forget, if you’re interested in joining the Disability conversation, the group has a Facebook page. Please email Disabilitysteeringgroup@royalmail.com and let them know the email address you normally use to sign into Facebook and your payroll number. You’ll then be sent an invitation to join.
