Who are Diversity and Ability (D&A)?
“Nothing about us without us” is a long-standing disability justice mantra. And it’s also the driving force behind social enterprise Diversity and Ability (D&A). Founded in 2011 by a team of disabled professionals, D&A was born out of a collective lived experience of navigating disabling environments, a desire to challenge systemic barriers, and big ideas on how to create lasting change.
Initially focusing on strategy-led one-to-one assistive technology training for disabled students, D&A first made a name for itself within the higher education sector. What stood out about their approach was a holistic, solution-orientated way of working with disabled students. Rather than simply teaching learners how to use software, sessions delved into understanding and addressing the unique challenges and barriers faced by each student. The lived-experience-led approach ensured that support wasn’t just practically helpful for their studies; it equipped learners with the confidence and resilience to thrive throughout their lives.
Over the past decade, the organisation has significantly expanded its scope, providing group training, consultancy, and one-to-one support to workplaces. But despite its growth, D&A’s core mission remains steadfast: to set new standards for disability inclusion based on lived experience and to challenge organisations to act for sustainable equity and inclusion.
D&A’s wide range of services complement any organisation’s needs and goals, embedding disability inclusion in the right way for them. Their services include:
- Group training. Workshops for employees, line managers or leadership teams that develop organisation-wide confidence and enthusiasm for disability, neurodiversity and equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Inclusion consultancy. Bespoke strategic guidance on policies and practices, helping organisations build accessible and inclusive cultures.
- One-to-one coaching. Training and mentoring for employees that fosters confidence, boosts productivity and sets personal growth in motion.
An inclusive culture doesn’t have to be aspirational; it can be a daily reality when training and support are delivered collaboratively and compassionately.
What makes D&A who they are?
D&A isn’t just another consultancy; it’s a social enterprise with a mission to end disability exclusion. Here are two things that sets them apart.
Firstly, D&A is led by lived experience. With 79% of D&A’s staff self-identifying as disabled or neurodiverse, D&A’s approach is shaped by authentic insights into the challenges and opportunities of disability inclusion.
Secondly, their proactive advocacy and support. D&A reinvests in their mission, ensuring that their work benefits communities, not just clients. This includes AXS Passport, a game-changing digital accessibility passport that makes self-advocacy feel safer and easier for disabled people and those who support them.
How D&A’s lived-experience-led training is making Transport for London (TfL) more inclusive.
TfL partnered with D&A to improve inclusivity for disabled staff and customers. Their approach centred on user engagement and co-production, drawing directly from disabled people’s lived experiences. Over five years, this partnership has transformed TfL’s practices, particularly through their Training and Access Tours.
Training on all transport, at all levels. From disability inclusion training for London Underground staff, to hands-on workshops for TfL’s senior leadership team, D&A are working to ensure everyone at TfL has the knowledge, language, and confidence to be inclusive in their work.
Access tours. To bring the impacts of accessibility to life, D&A designed and implemented bespoke Access Tours. These immersive sessions allowed TfL staff to navigate London’s transport network from the perspective of disabled customers. Guided by D&A’s Access Guides, staff experienced first-hand the barriers faced by disabled passengers, fostering empathy and developing practical solutions.
The benefits to TfL and its users has been monumental. With well over 1,000 staff members trained to date and 100% of attendees feeling more confident in inclusion after their training, D&A’s lived-experience-led approach is driving meaningful and measurable change across London’s transport.
TfL relies on Diversity and Ability to teach our staff how we can make sure all our customers feel included. Our staff continuously benefit from the lived experience of D&A trainers.
Our greatest innovations come from the perspectives we’re yet to hear. This is the debt we owe to difference: recognising the immense value diversity brings to our organisations and the responsibility we have to create environments where everyone can thrive.
