View a recording of the summit panel discussion on YouTube.
The 2023 Disability Inclusion Summit will explore the developments that have increased the focus on the critical need for better representation, as well as the obstacles that have hampered progress and at times made representation seem to be nothing more than a performative buzzword. It will also examine the key role allyship plays in the workplace and society by dispelling misconceptions and misinformation, helping to lay the foundation for meaningful representation to flourish.
Key topics:
- Embracing AI as an Ally: Delving into the evolving role of AI as a driving force for representation, equity, and diversity so that it is considered a friend rather than a foe.
- A Sector Focus on Allyship and Representation: Navigating the complexities of representation amidst barriers in education and industry.
- Empowering Businesses to become better Allies: Exploring how responsible business, pro bono, and community impact programs can advance disability inclusion.
2023 LEADRS Summit Agenda
Welcome
9.00 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. (PST) | 12.00 p.m. – 12.30 p.m. (EST) | 5.00 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. (GMT) - (30 min)
The theme of the 2023 Disability Inclusion Summit is understanding the importance of and interconnection between representation and allyship. Representation is pivotal to ensure diversity of thought and progress within both organisations and society.
Allyship is something that we all need to succeed, whether disabled or not. But given the slow, though accelerating, progress that has been made in disability inclusion, it is important for continued advancement. Whether you have a disability and can act as a role model or are someone who is passionate about disability inclusion, empowering and creating a path for growth and success of others is fundamental to removing barriers that have prevented a focus on the abilities of those with disabilities.
Allyship gives individuals and organisations a significant and unique perspective, focusing on finding solutions to attain the right culture and mindset. By being proactive and thinking differently, we can prepare society and businesses to embrace disability diversity and inclusion and to become better allies in order to achieve societal progress in the area of disability diversity and inclusion. The Disability Inclusion Summit represents just the beginning of the discussion and is a platform for a call to action, highlighting the importance of ongoing meaningful conversations about disability inclusion.
- Carolyn Pepper – Entertainment & Media Industry Group Partner and Co-Chair of the Disability Business Inclusion Group at Reed Smith
Keynote Speech
Representation and allyship have become the key pillars of the modern workplace and society. The interconnection and the balance between the two are fundamental to advancing greater disability inclusion. These notions continue to influence the mindset and actions of businesses and individuals when striving to obtain the right culture, thinking and attitude that may help greater representation to flourish.
It is important to understand the role allyship has played in not only dispelling misconceptions and misinformation, but also in addressing the obstacles, challenges and barriers that have hampered progress, making representation seem to be nothing more than a performative buzzword used to fit in with the changing times.
- Stuart Pixley - Senior Corporate Counsel at Microsoft
Panel 1 – Embracing AI as an Ally, A Friend rather than Foe
9.30 a.m. – 10.15 a.m. (PST) | 12.30 p.m. – 1.15 p.m. (EST) | 5.30 p.m. – 6.15 p.m. (GMT) - (45 min)
Video by Mark Goldstein, Labor & Employment Partner and Chair Mental Health Task Force at Reed Smith
The evolution and progression of artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the main drivers to facilitate representation, equity, and diversity. New technologies leveraging generative AI have the potential for life-changing impact for people with disabilities. At the same time, these technologies can perpetuate bias that prevents an open mindset and focus on ability. How can we leverage the promise that generative AI holds for people with disabilities while addressing the related challenges from a legal and security perspective? How can representation in the design process help ensure that new technologies are friends rather than foes?
Regulation may need to adapt to keep pace with technology, while also providing the framework to further its development. The debate surrounding AI concerns classic yet contrasting aspects, both of which need to be addressed in equal measure, especially in the context of people with disabilities.
Panelists:
- Hector Minto - Lead Technology Evangelist (Accessibility), Director, Microsoft, Disability and Access Ambassador for the UK Government, representing the Technology and Web Accessibility Sector
- Monique (Nikki) Bhargava – Reed Smith, Advertising, Privacy, Digital Media and Technology Attorney Partner
- Stuart Pixley - Senior Corporate Counsel at Microsoft
- David Boutcher – Reed Smith, Business & Finance, Global Corporate Group Partner
Moderators:
- Angie Matney - Counsel at Reed Smith
- Jonathan Andrews - Associate at Reed Smith
Break
10.15 a.m. – 10.20 a.m. (PST) | 1.15 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. (EST) | 6.15 p.m. – 6.20 p.m. (GMT) - (5 min)
Panel 2 – A Call to Action Through Allyship – A Sector Focus on Representation
10.20 a.m. – 11.05 a.m. (PST) | 1:20 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. (EST) | 6.20 p.m. – 7:05 p.m. (GMT) - 45 min
Video by Sarah Brown (Chair at Theirworld; Executive Chair at the Global Business Coalition for Education and wife of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown)
Open minds lead to open doors and access to education is the foundation for change. Today’s young people are leaders of tomorrow. Hence, the importance of education cannot be overemphasised, as it inculcates an open mindset to embrace experiences and challenges.
Businesses are more concerned about their commercial strategic objectives and not necessarily thinking about disability, thereby missing out on the opportunity to harness a strong workforce. It is important for businesses to consider the Economic, Social and Governance (ESG) context when aligning contributions and values concerning diversity inclusion with their business goals.
Businesses need to be better allies to ensure that true representation can be achieved. They must play a critical role in removing obstacles rather than creating barriers. In this way, they can help forge a path for people with disabilities to achieve their ambitions and goals while also giving the opportunity to contribute to business objectives and solutions. There is a need for a call to action because by investing in the present we can secure the future.
Panelists
- Joyce Malombe - Director and Founder of Collective Rising Leadership Institute
- Amelia Wilson - Programme Lawyer in the legal and compliance department of Channel 4
- Angela Li - President of Harvard Disability Law Student Association
- Kevin Hara – Counsel at Reed Smith
Moderators
- Luke Debevec – Partner at Reed Smith
- Georgia Crossman – Associate at Reed Smith
Break
11.05 a.m. – 11.10 a.m. (PST) | 2:05 p.m. – 2.10 p.m. (EST) | 7.05 p.m. – 7.10 p.m. (GMT) - (5 min)
Panel 3 - Empowering Businesses to become better Allies through Responsible Business, Pro Bono, and Community Impact Programs
11.10 a.m. – 11.55 a.m. (PST) | 2.10 p.m. – 2.55 p.m. (EST) | 7.10 p.m. – 7.55 p.m. (GMT) - (45 min)
Video will be recorded by Michael Skrein – Entertainment and Media Industry Group Senior Partner and Lead for Responsible Business programme, EMEA at Reed Smith
Businesses have access to far-reaching platforms and can have a profound impact in increasing the focus on and to advance representation and disability inclusion. It is important that businesses dedicate their time, resources and (in the case of pro bono) legal skills, to support and spotlight charities and initiatives that focus on the critical need for better representation in the disability diversity sphere.
It is vital that we empower businesses to be better allies to those who are striving to bring about change in thinking and attitude towards people with disabilities and, thereby, raise greater awareness of disability inclusion.
Allyship and advocacy are critical because they give individuals and organisations a significant and unique perspective, focusing on finding solutions that endeavour to attain the right culture and mindset. There is a need to develop and understand the role businesses can play as part of support groups that strive for greater representation. It is important to create a platform for discussing personal experiences, impact, challenges, and successes, so that society and businesses can be better prepared to embrace diversity and inclusion and become better allies.
Panelists
- Elizabeth Sheridan (Liz) – Director and Associate General Counsel at Bank of America
- Phyllida Swift – Chief Executive Officer at Face Equality International
- Allison Martin – Deputy Head of Year 11 and HLTA SLP Department at Kingston Academy
- Richard Ceeney – Real Estate Partner at Reed Smith
Moderators
- Jessica Tagg – Associate at Reed Smith
- Carole Mehigan – Responsible Business Manager at Reed Smith
Closing remarks
11.55 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. (PST) | 2.55 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. (EST) | 7.55 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. (GMT) - (5 min)
- Carolyn Pepper, Entertainment & Media Industry Group Partner and Co-Chair of the Disability Business Inclusion Group at Reed Smith
Building on our previous summits 2020-2022
At Reed Smith, we believe in the importance of ongoing conversations in order to realize the goal of achieving societal progress in the area of disability diversity and inclusion. Our pioneering Disability Inclusion Summit, held in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, serves as an invaluable platform for fostering discussions, propelling progress, and facilitating the exchange of ideas, all with a focus on comprehending the challenges ahead in creating professions that are more inclusive and welcoming to talented individuals with disabilities.
During the 2020 Disability Inclusion Summit, we looked at the myths surrounding disability versus the reality. We also considered the business case for hiring people with disabilities together with the challenges and opportunities presented by COVID-19 and the hybrid work environment. During the 2021 Disability Inclusion Summit, we celebrated the diversity and disability journeys of businesses and organisations. During the 2022 Disability Inclusion Summit, we reflected on the past, acknowledged the present, and focused on the future as we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the firm’s journey to ensure greater disability representation.
