Business leaders across industries gathered at a major film studio to discuss their responsibility in helping more people with disabilities into work.

Warner Bros. Studios at Leavesden Park in Watford hosted more than a hundred people from businesses in the area to celebrate the “ability in disability”, on April 19.

The event was led by Warner Bros. Studios managing director and senior vice president, Dan Dark who said he was “extraordinarily proud” of the turn out, adding that companies needed to “stop looking at disabilities and focus on abilities”. 

Warner Bros. managing director, Dan Dark speaking to a packed conference room on disability in the workplace 

Harrow Times:

Speaking to the packed conference room of business leaders was Stephen Hoult-Allen, executive head at Collette’s School in Hemel Hempstead for people with disabilities, Linda McIntyre, chief executive of Watford Workshop, Warner Bros. Studio managing director, Dan Dark and keynote speaker, Caroline Casey. 

Caroline, who is nearly blind, is an Irish activist and businesswoman who started her charity to improve disability, the Aisling Foundation in 2000. 

Mr Hoult-Allen, whose school enables pupils into various work placements, challenged businesses to “celebrate failure as much as success” adding that society is too “overprotective, standing back” from responsibility to address the issue of disability in the workplace. 

Linda McIntyre of Watford Workshop, said: “Give (disabled people) a chance to learn about the work environment. “

“As employers, it’s a resource you need tap into.”

Her 50-year organisation provides work experience and training to disabled people which is directed toward commercial customers.

Caroline Casey, who started the #valuable campaign, spoke passionately about her experience building a career without her sight, saying Watford could be the “ability capital” of the UK. 

The former Accenture employee, said: “Disability is the new ‘green’. This conversation affects every human being on the planet – there is not a ‘them and us’.” 

Adding: “If business sees our value, society will too.”

Each speaker agreed employers needed to get over the “fear” of employing disabled people. 

Collette’s School pupil, Lillie Grove, 15, said she might like to work with food in the future and that she enjoyed the event.