Happy 10th birthday to us!
10th February 2021 by Ellie Thompson
On 10th February, 2011, Diversity and Ability was born!
We have so much to celebrate on our 10th birthday; from our beginnings as a disabled-led, strategy focused assistive technology training provider to our new growth in supporting students, workplaces and individuals across the world.
We have so many amazing milestones to reflect back on today.
2014- Digital Inclusion and Homelessness
Working with organisations such as Crisis and St Mungo’s, we’ve pioneered workshops that enable people affected by homelessness to develop core digital skills and literacy. We support people to build strategies around organisation, wellbeing, literacy and numeracy, to enable them to pursue housing and employment opportunities.
One participant, Esther, said of their training with us: “I am generally nervous about meeting strangers but they made me feel welcome. They listened to what I needed and boosted my confidence so much. They were very selfless, staying longer than they were supposed to. I’m so happy I took this training and look forward to more.”
D&A’s Team Day 2014
2016- Journey to Employment
Back in 2016, we worked with JobCentre Plus to deliver the Journey to Employment (J2E) pilot in Southampton. We supported disabled job-seekers experiencing long-term unemployment on their journey to finding work, delivering our trademark holistic and strategy-led Assistive Technology Training.
2018- The Noon Award
We were so thrilled to win the Global Equality and Diversity Noon Award in 2018. The award was given in recognition of our work in digital inclusion and supporting people impacted by homelessness and neurodiversity.
Atif and Adam celebrating their Noon Award win, 2018
2019- Disability Confidence Leader
In 2019 we were awarded Disability Confidence Leader status, demonstrating a tireless commitment to the inclusion and equality of disabled people.
2019 was a big year, also signalling the start of D&A International’s work. We partnered with Global Rainbow Foundation and Commonwealth of Learning to deliver training to schools, organisations and individuals.
D&A, the Global Rainbow Foundation, and learners in November 2019
2020- Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative Winners!
2020 saw new challenges and opportunities for D&A as we used our lived experience and knowledge in digital accessibility to support universities, students, practitioners and workplaces to adapt to a remote world.
It was such an honour to be recognised in December as Disability Specialist and Greatest Impact at the Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative 2020!
2021- Reflecting and looking forward!
Over 10 years, we have…
Delivered over 10,000 hours of support
Grown to a team over over 100 trainers, coaches, mentors and tutors
Generated nearly £10,000,000 of social value in the higher education sector alone
We asked our team to share 10 words, for 10 years of D&A. Check out what they had to say!
On our birthday we want to take a moment to thank you, our team members- everyone who makes up D&A and brings our values to life every day. An organisation is only as good as it’s team, and we have lucked out! We also want to thank everyone else who has helped us along the way, without whose precious experiences, voices, trust and advice we would be weaker. So here’s to our students, clients, partners, supporters and friends! We are so excited for what the next 10 years will bring!
