Take a look at what our membership have to say about our services:
“Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Police are members of Business Disability Forum – they are an immensely rich resource. Once you join your members and at times wider staff, can attend webinars and utilise their Toolkits. Their advisory service is excellent & have a very fast turnaround. They support on your Disability Confident journey should you choose to go for it.” Samantha Alexander, Positive Action Lead, Bedfordshire Police
“What I have been impressed with [about joining Business Disability Forum] is their close involvement with the organisations as coaches and as peer reviewers. I really like the fact that they maintain a constant relationship which has allowed us to develop over time”
Chief Superintendent David Boyle BA Mst (Cantab) MIinstLM Lead on the Disability Portfolio across Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Constabularies. (Specialist Operations: Joint Protective Services for BCH)
What our membership says with Sarah Beisly, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Sainsbury’s:
“As the Board Sponsor for Disability, Carers and Age at Sainsbury’s, I am proud of our long-standing partnership with the Business Disability Forum.
At Sainsbury’s, we want to be the most inclusive retailer where every single one of our colleagues can fulfil their potential, and all our customers feel welcome when they shop with us. We are committed to improving our accessibility in store and online, by creating new initiatives that will drive real change, now and in the future.
Our relationship with Business Disability Forum has been constructive in helping us to achieve these goals. I would encourage other businesses to get involved in this conversation and think about how they can become more inclusive” Tim Fallowfield OBE, Company Secretary and Corporate Services Director, and Board Sponsor for Disability, Carers and Age, J Sainsbury plc
“Disability inclusion and enablement is important to us at Royal Dutch Shell. We know that having inclusive ways of working for people with disabilities is vital for the well-being of our employees, and the success of our business.
Having the right global policies provides clarity and direction to our leaders, who in turn, can provide the right support so that everyone working in the company is able to contribute and thrive.
We partner with other organisations so that we can learn from them and improve our approach and policies. That is why our work with Business Disability Forum is so important.
It is by working together with BDF and other companies that we can help create a better work environment for all people with disabilities.” Lyn Lee, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Shell
“BDF is a wonderful organisation, and your level of insight into the experiences of disabled people at work is unparalleled in any organisation I’ve found.” Kate Mulvany, Co-Chair, Disability and Wellbeing Network
“It was really great meeting so many like-minded people working towards a common goal of maximising people’s potential who have a disability to be their best and raising awareness amongst those who don’t.” Gary Haywood, Senior Partner, Accenture
“As Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager, I have always found that guidance and support from BDF helps me to steer the NCA’s health and wellbeing agenda. They bring a different viewpoint and play a critical part, not only in educating their members but in providing realistic help and support for people who are experiencing short and longer term challenges. For me, their role is crucial in keeping the conversation of diversity and inclusion in the workplace going and high on everyone’s agenda.” Ciaran Baker, HR Manager, Occupational Health & Wellbeing, National Crime Agency
“Being a Member of BDF provides us with all the support we need to grow and take positive action. Through our membership, we work closely with our Account Manager who offers a wealth of experience, expertise, inspiration and resources. I highly recommend the annual HR policy reviews which provide a detailed report and much learning. There is a great opportunity for networking and I highly recommend their annual conferences. Thanks BDF for the ongoing support!” Natalie Sparrow, Colleague Engagement & Inclusion Manager, Southeastern Railway
Tony Cates, former Vice Chair and Partner at KPMG UK:
“Before joining BDF, we were looking at ways in which to improve awareness of disability in the workplace both in terms of our workforce as well as in the services we commission for our residents. We are really impressed with the breadth of resources our membership of the BDF has presented. These include regular dialogue with our account manager and a senior level meeting with BDF’s chief executive and one of our Directors in Resident Services. We have taken the opportunity for one of our customer services managers to engage with assisting with the BDF’s Inclusive Communications Toolkit.
Colleagues also participate in learning activities such as the excellent Vessela Leiper, Chair of the Disability Staff Forum at Lambeth Council who said: ‘I am delighted that the Council is subscribing to the Business Disability Forum. This offers valuable assistance to line managers who often need extra support to better understand some of the issues affecting disabled staff.’
Membership of BDF also helps us on our journey to achieve Disability Confident Leader status – the highest level accredited status in addition to supporting our equality, diversity and inclusion goals. I am already seeing the benefits of our membership of BDF helping to us to be an inclusive council and helping us to recruit and retain the best staff and deliver the best possible services to our residents.” Karl Livingston, HR Organisation Development and Learning Manager, Lambeth Council
Mark Russell, Inclusion, Diversity & Social Equality Advisor at KPMG UK
What our members say about our courses:
“Discussions on the emphasis of talking to people rather than diagnosing was very helpful.”
“Very interesting introduction to disability awareness, for managers, and how to overcome barriers. Good examples used to bring out the key points and open out discussions.”
“The course ‘Making adjustments for disabled colleagues’ should be mandatory to all managers at all levels to make a workplace a better place.”
“Neurodiversity is very important for us to be aware of and get other’s opinions and experiences in real-life working practices.”
“An interesting and thought-provoking event.”