There are over 1.3 billion people in the world (15%) living with a disability and 80% of people who experience a disability acquire it between the ages of 18 and 64, during their working lives. Chaired by David Forbes-Nixon, experts Lord Shinkwin, Paul Polman and Amit Patel discuss disability in the workforce and the challenges and opportunities encountered: from the right supported employment programme such as Project Search; or the right board commitment such as the Valuable 500; or the right government support. There is a gigantic market opportunity from people with disabilities with an estimated spending power of $8 trillion a year. Dr Amit Patel, author of Kika and Me describes the daily challenges he faces after his sudden blindness and the support from his guide dog Kika.
Amit Patel is a disability rights campaigner, fundraiser, motivational speaker and independent diversity and accessibility consultant. Paul Polman is Co-founder & Chair of Imagine, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, The B Team, Saïd Business School and Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact. After a career working at RNID, Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, and The Royal British Legion, Lord Shinkwin now sits in the House of Lords and focuses on disability equality. David Forbes-Nixon is Co-founder and Chief Executive of Alcentra, Founder and Chairman of the DFN Charitable Foundation and DFN Project SEARCH.
