International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Celebrating IDPD 2024: Amplifying Leadership for an Inclusive Future
This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) on the 3rd December highlights an inspiring theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.” In 2024, the focus is on empowering the voices of persons with disabilities at every level—from community initiatives to global policy.
This day serves as an important reminder to recognise, support, and champion the leadership of individuals with disabilities who contribute to a more inclusive world for all. As they shape diverse industries and communities, their influence is essential in steering society toward sustainable progress and equality.
Let’s celebrate IDPD by recognising and supporting this essential leadership and continuing to build a more inclusive world for all.
To learn more about the remarkable stories and perspectives that inspire positive change, take a look at some of our speakers who champion inclusivity and diversity at every level.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth Wright is an Australian Paralympic Medallist with a drive to help people understand what disability is, the issues disabled people face in the workplace and wider community, the language used around disability in the workplace and how to be a better disability ally.
Based on her experiences as a Paralympic swimmer and living with a disability, Elizabeth not only inspires, but provides practical tips and know-how on how to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace, organisation, or school.
Chris Holmes MBE
Lord (Chris) Holmes is Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer winning a total of 9 golds, 5 silvers and 1 bronze. Chris is a passionate advocate for the potential of technology and the benefits of diversity and inclusion.
His personable nature and relaxed style works well for virtual events and he has received great feedback from recent engagements. His life experience teaches any audience that no matter the obstacle, anything is possible and he communicates this powerful message with incredible warmth, humour and humility.
Arti Shah
Arti Shah, a British Asian woman, was born with a condition called ‘pseudoachondroplasia’. Arti believes that no one should be labelled and put into a box.
Arti’s acceptance of who she was has lead her to live a life full of positivity, yet with so many challenges and it’s how she overcomes these challenges which makes her stand out. Her achievements have only just begun. She is creating a path where she is changing perceptions. She has first- hand experience of overcoming stereotypes and what obstacles need to be removed to allow inclusion.
Martine Wright MBE
Martine Wright has a phenomenal story of transformation, from despair to determination and triumph.
After losing her legs in the Circle Line bombing during the 2005 London terrorist attacks, Martine Wright rebuilt her life with remarkable purpose. From skydiving and becoming a mother and wife to becoming the Captain of the British Paralympic sitting volleyball team and earning a pilot’s license, Martine epitomises overcoming adversity.
Winston Clements
Winston Clements is an Inclusion Speaker & Advocate with expertise in the areas of disability awareness, anti-racism and resilience. He was predicted to live a life of isolation and pain due to a rare bone disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI). This condition caused his bones to be extremely fragile, suffering over 200 fractures in his lifetime.
Winston specialist topics are disability awareness, anti-racism and resilience. Winston has partnered with global brands including Google and Disney. His ultimate mission is to inspire 1 BILLION people to unleash their full human potential.
Mark Pollock
Mark Pollock is an explorer, innovator & collaboration catalyst who gives inspiring and effective motivational presentations based on his life experiences. Mark helps people to build resilience and collaborate with others so that they achieve more than they thought possible.
Unbroken by blindness in 1998, Mark became an adventure athlete competing in ultra-endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He also won silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games.
Michael McGrath MBE
Delivering bespoke keynote presentations, laced with powerful learning’s and anecdotes drawn through the lens of Michael’s life, he shares compelling lessons and insights from his polar achievements that move audiences to not only reflect but also to take action
Inspiring audiences across both corporate and public sectors, Michael’s greatest power is his emotional and intellectual force in connecting with audiences, influencing behaviours and moving people to a place of action.
Tanni Grey Thompson
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson competed in five Paralympic Games, winning 11 Gold Medals, and won the London Wheelchair Marathon a total of six times. She is acknowledged as one of the most gifted and courageous sportswomen of her generation.
Tanni is the ultimate cross over between high performance sport and the high powered world of business and politics. She understands the parallels and has invaluable lessons from her varied career, be it perseverance, team work, adapting to change or breaking down barriers.
