Access and inclusion for good business: launch and learn

Are you missing out on business because your services aren’t as accessible as they could be? Around 20% of people in Northern Ireland have some form of disability and small changes to the way you work, how you present information and your premises can have a big impact on the number of your customers.

Join expert speakers including visually impaired athlete Dr Sinead Kane and Millenium Forum Box Office and Access Manager Lisa Heaney at 12.30-2pm on Wednesday 30 June on Zoom for a lunch-and-learn event to celebrate the launch of the Derry City & Strabane Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) resource pack for businesses and cultural organisations.

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Our speakers and contributors

Dr Sinead Kane
Speaker, Visually Impaired Athlete and Lawyer

With two doctorates, two Guinness World Records and a remarkable seven marathons, on seven continents seven days to her name, Sinead only has 5% vision and is registered as legally blind. Sinead has overcome a lot of adversity throughout her life and now wants to help others.

Lisa Heaney
Box Office and Access Manager, Millennium Forum

At the Millennium Forum Lisa promotes positive attitudes, removes barriers and encourages participation for people living with a disability. The venue supported the pilot and testing of DCSDC A.I.M resource pack.

Aedin McCarter
Head of Service for Culture, Derry City and Strabane District Council

The Business and Culture directorate encompasses a range of services the local Council provides such as economic development and job creation, business support and engagement, ICT, tourism, arts and culture, visitor services, heritage and museums and marketing and communications.

Helen Ferguson
Commissioner, Equality Commission NI

Helen Ferguson has 40 years’ experience in the community and voluntary sector as a volunteer, trustee and paid worker. She was born in Belfast and studied social policy at QUB. She was Director of Carers Northern Ireland for nearly 20 years and is a former Commissioner with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Since 2017, Helen has worked as Policy and Campaigns Officer with the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Cllr Graham Warke
Mayor, Derry City & Strabane District Council

Graham Warke was co-opted as a DUP Councillor on to Derry City & Strabane District Council in 2015, Graham was elected to represent the Faughan area of Derry and Strabane District Council and topped the poll when he was re-elected in 2019.

Erin McFeely
Chief Executive, Developing Healthy Communities

As co-ordinator of World Health Organisation Healthy Cities designation for Derry City and Strabane District, Erin works to bring people and communities together to create opportunities for healthier and more fulfilling lives.

[PRERECORDED PERFORMANCE]
David Punch

David Punch is a 25 year old multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Cork in Ireland. He has been very open about his journey with Asperger's Syndrome, and aspires to inspire other people who may face similar difficulties.