Just About Disability event starts positive conversations

Subject area: Property, construction and surveying
Category: Current students; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

The School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (ADBE) hosted an insightful forum on 17 February, exploring the lived experiences of a diverse panel of speakers and attendees.

Principal Lecturer, Chris Keast, chaired the virtual event

Designed to be an open forum to encourage discussion around disability, the online event was just that. Chaired by Principal Lecturer and founder member of the NTU Disabled Employees Network, Chris Keast, the audience heard some powerful stories and engaged with the panel through an informal Q&A.

Guest speakers from across NTU shared their own experiences, highlighting the challenges navigating their lives, work, and the perception of others in day-to-day situations.

Christina Riley, Senior Planner (Tier 1 contractors) and founding member of Building Equality, also spoke of her journey and 30-year career in the construction industry.

The event was held as part of the School of ADBE’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events calendar, a key part of the School’s aims to address the issues that impact its students, staff and colleagues in industry.

On the success of the event, Chris Keast said: “Feedback from the event has been very positive, with some really touching personal comments about how the event has helped changed perceptions and how it will modify how they interact and include people with disabilities.

“Colleagues from other parts of the university have also said how ground-breaking the event was and that it should be seen as an example and catalyst for similar events in other areas, we look forward to the next event.”

Keep an eye on the School website for updates on upcoming Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work and events.