BDF to host virtual conference on disability in a post-pandemic world

The UK’s Business Disability Forum (BDF) will host its annual two-day annual conference virtually this year.  It will give employers the opportunity to discuss some of the issues affecting disabled people in the post-pandemic world of work. 

The virtual event is entitled Disability today and tomorrow: Living in a post-pandemic world. It is scheduled to take place on 14-15 October 2020 from 9.30am to 4pm BST (on both days).

KEY THEMES

Some of the key themes that will be addressed at the event, include:

• Work, life and leisure in a post-pandemic society – building on the positives of lockdown and tackling the negatives: How can employers allow more employees, disabled or not, to work from home permanently or periodically?
• Technology – High tech, low tech, no tech: Technology has allowed many people to retain jobs and connections with family, friends and the wider world as we’ve stayed in our homes. BDF discusses the learnings from the past few months and ways to ensure that no-one is left behind as we enter a new post-pandemic world.
• Legal aspects – adjusting to adjustments today: Businesses have become familiar with the term reasonable adjustment or accommodation. But what exactly does “reasonable” now mean?
• Global debates on disability in tomorrow’s world: What unexpected benefits have emerged from the drastic and sudden effects of a worldwide lockdown? What can we do to ensure disabled people are not left behind.
• Mental health and wellbeing: BDF’s panellists will discuss how the lockdown has affected our mental health and wellbeing, and what can employers do to help.

For more information on the topics, speakers and registration details, click here.

SHARING INCLUSION STORIES

In addition, BDF is calling for disability smart stories in a bid to drive greater awareness and disability inclusion. The disability charity wants to collect some of these stories so it can share them later this year to encourage learning and drive greater inclusion, as reported. If you have a story to share, send it to stories@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk before 26 October 2020.