Accessibility Advisory Group launched to make OYW more inclusive

Liz works as an Assistant Manager in National Markets Audit at KPMG and also Co-Chairs the KPMG Workability Network. Liz began working at KPMG on their School Leaver programme after completing her A Levels.

She subsequently attended the University of Exeter where she was the Debate Captain for two years and founder of the Disabled Students Forum. Liz was made co-chair of the KPMG Disability Network in 2017 and has a passion for ensuring Disabled access for young people.

Liz attended The Hague 2018 Summit, which was the first to have Disability as a main stage topic. However, Liz noticed that there was more work to be done to make the Summit fully accessible so she suggested that OYW should form an Accessibility Team to ensure that London 2019 can be a fully accessible conference.

Devika Malik was born with hemiplegia, which causes paralysis to one side of the body. She has overcome the challenges of her disability to become an international para-athlete with 8 national & 3 international medals, a psychologist and co-founder of the Wheeling Happiness Foundation.

The foundation promotes inclusion, disability sports, raises funds for people with disabilities and advises companies on designing inclusive employment and client services strategies. Wheeling Happiness has impacted more that 10,000 people to date through its various programmes.

“I had been following the One Young World Summit for several years, but 2018 being the first time I attended in person, I was extremely moved by the OYW Inclusion Revolution as it resonates so deeply with the goal of disability inclusion that I am personally devoted to. It is immensely pleasing to see a global platform like One Young World walking their talk & setting an example, so when Amy reached out to me to be a part of this Advisory Group which has been set up well ahead of the next Summit to ensure that the summit experience is truly inclusive for participants of all abilities, the answer was a resounding YES from me! I am very proud of this initiative and to be part of this brilliant group of OYW Ambassadors, brainstorming & working diligently to see inclusion & accessibility fully realized at OYW2019!”

Anthony works at AbleChildAfrica as an Programmes and Advocacy Assistant and has advocated for disability rights and access throughout his life. After being denied access to college in London due to his wheelchair, he made legal history in the UK at the age of 17, successfully lobbying against the decision, and paving the way for the Special Education Needs and Disability Act.

Anthony was selected as one of 17 UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, where he raised awareness of the inequalities and discrimination faced by the disabled children AbleChildAfrica works with, whilst also playing a leading role in ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals remain inclusive of disability.

Sarah is the Co-founder and Programs Director for Gifted Community Centre, an organisation that advocates for the rights of young people with disabilities within the informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. She holds a masters degree in International Development from Italy, and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the United States International University. Sarah has over five years experience in development and human rights, specialising in disability rights.

“I strongly believe in the human rights principles which calls for participation, inclusion, and equality. Thus, being part of this group has given me a voice and platform to make the world better for current and future youth with disabilities through airing my voice on our accessibility concerns, which is a prerequisite to an inclusive world, and envisioned SDGs.”

Jack is the Regional Youth Coordinator for The Royal Commonwealth Society in Australia. He is a former adviser to the Vice President of the Commonwealth Youth Council during the # I Am Able campaign, and last year took part in the first ever Commonwealth Disability Children and Youth Round table Event and The Global Disability Summit.

He recently presented in the panel discussion at the 2019 Australian Network on Disability National’s Conference and has leading role in establishing the Commonwealth Children and Young Person Disability Network.

Fadeia works in law for Clifford Chance. She is particularly passionate about making employment accessible for disabled people. Fadeia mentors visually impaired law and non-law graduates and sign-posts them to relevant charities.

She works to attract more disabled students and graduates into the legal profession. Fadeia has experience working with a wide range of charitable initiatives to provide legal and mentor support, including Free Representation Unit, East London Vision, ActivEyes Redbridge, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Lawyers with Disability Division.

At the age of 16 Kayla was in a car accident and suffered a spinal cord injury, and has been using a wheelchair ever since.

Kayla joined the KPMG Disability Network at the start of her career with KPMG in Texas. The network was renamed the Abilities in Motion network at the national level, and Kayla was selected for the 1in5 programme where she worked with the national advisory board and met with leaders and network members all over the country. Through this role she has worked to increase awareness and access throughout the organisation, and has personally trained new joiners with disabilities.