Business Disability Forum - Annual Technology Showcase 2020 event

On Tuesday 3 March 2020, PwC hosted the Business Disability Forum (BDF) annual Tech Showcase event for the second year with the help of IFS UK IT Workplace Adjustments Team. Over 100 delegates joined the BDF and PwC, at the More London Office, to celebrate "difference" and the lived experiences of people with disabilities, along with how technology has helped to overcome barriers in their daily life. The event was supported by an exhibition area where external Technology companies showcased emerging technologies to support Business to becoming Disability-Smart!

The event was opened with a Welcome from Sarah Churchman, PwC's Diversity & Inclusion Partner.

There then followed presentations from PwC's HC Director Tracey Lenthall, and how technology has helped her within and outside of the workplace and Microsoft's Michael Vermeersch who spoke about what it is like to grow up with Neurodiverse condition and then later coping in the workplace. The final speaker was Robert Nolan, chair of the deaf/blind UK, who gave a touching and humorous presentation on his life with a degenerative eye condition and deafness.

Technology that appeared to have helped the speakers most ranged from mobile phone text messaging, phone location trackers, predictive grammar and spelling software, along with shared calendars, mind mapping applications and dictation technologies.

PwC’s DAWN team (Disability Awareness Network) showcased the Network’s offerings to staff. There was also an eye tracker game for delegates to experience, alongside a display of technology offerings for PwC staff via the Firm’s Workplace Adjustments process.

There was a buzz of energy throughout the event, whilst delegates networked, wandered around the exhibits and enjoyed the opportunity to listen to three fantastic presentations that were personal stories rather than focusing solely on workplace related experiences.

Credit: Denise Wood (PwC)