Join us for the 3rd session of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Learning Series “Beyond Barriers – Reasonable Accommodations and Assistive Technologies for an Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”, co-hosted by ANDE East & Southeast Asia, ANDE South Asia chapters and agile in collaboration with Steps and Vulcan Coalition on Tuesday 29th October 2024 from IST 11:30 – 13:30 hrs. (GMT +5.5) / ICT 13:00 – 15:00 hrs. (GMT+7).
Throughout this session, you will have an exciting opportunity to learn from our expert and practitioner speakers from agile, Steps, and Vulcan Coalition on the following subjects:
- Understanding Reasonable Accommodations: Define and illustrate the concept of reasonable accommodations in the context of entrepreneurship and employment, with specific examples related to neurodiversity and visual impairments.
- Assistive Technologies and AI: Explore the role of assistive technologies and artificial intelligence in enabling greater participation and success for individuals with disabilities in entrepreneurship and employment.
- Fostering Inclusive Work Environments: Equip participants with strategies for creating supportive work environments that embrace neurodiversity and accommodate the needs of individuals with visual impairments.
- Cost-Effective Solutions: Highlight the low-cost and no-cost accommodations that employers and organizations can implement to foster inclusivity.
- Best Practices and Case Studies: Share regional best practices and inspiring case studies showcasing successful implementation of reasonable accommodations and assistive technologies in entrepreneurial settings.
Importantly, this session will allow you to have interactive discussions with your fellow entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) on the disability landscape in different countries and challenges people with disabilities face, especially in entrepreneurship context.
The DEI Learning Series is brought to you by ANDE Asia Talent Development Series and intends to equip Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) with necessary knowledge and resources to develop inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship support initiatives to give every entrepreneur equal opportunity to thrive and succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
This session can only accommodate 30 participants, so make sure you pencil your calendar and register HERE by 18th October as you cannot afford to miss this opportunity!
Questions related to this workshop and ANDE Asia Talent Development Series should be addressed to Pasiwat Sutthirak and Vineetha Venugopal.
Ian Jones
Ian is an experienced impact entrepreneur and development professional with over 15 years in the field globally. Initially starting his journey creating social firms – social enterprises employing people with high severity mental illness – his work now allows him to enjoy the blend of practice and theory at the intersection of gender, disability, design, enterprise, livelihoods, and impact.
Underpinning this approach is his background of using human centred design and systems thinking in practical applications with a focus on disability and enabling ecosystems for entrepreneurs living with disabilities.
With a focus on creating barrier free pathways for entrepreneurs with disabilities and disability focused ventures to start, grow and thrive, Ian is the director of two entrepreneur support organisations (ESOs), Agile Development Group and Mekong Inclusive Ventures.
Agile’s team has trained over 500 women and youth entrepreneurs living with disabilities, developed and delivered inclusion training for USAID, PACT, ILO and other major partners, including interactive training on creating accessible finance through adaptation of processes and urban environments.
Recognising similar challenges for organisations supporting Entrepreneurs with Disabilities across the broader ASEAN region, Ian is the founder and lead co-designer of The Bodhi Tree Centre for Disability Entrepreneurship. The Centre will provide a collective voice and focal point to advocate for support and capital to mainstream and overcome digital, financial and skills barriers for entrepreneurs living with disabilities.
Max Simpson
Max has been working with the neurodivergent community for over 15 years, and the longer he works alongside this community, the more evidence he has that they are value-adding employees to any business. Max has demonstrated a proven track record in the inclusion space from establishing 3 vocational training centers, modelling 11 inclusive and sustainable social businesses, and delivering essential consultancy services to organisations seeking enhanced inclusivity. In 2023, Max inaugurated a research centre dedicated to advancing knowledge in this domain. A fervent advocate for the business case for disability and neuro-inclusion, Max extends an invitation to potential partners to collaborate on a shared mission of fostering an inclusive society.
In 2019, Max was listed as one of the top 50 young leaders shaping the future of Asia. Steps was honoured with the International Provision of the Year Award by the prestigious National Association for Special Educational Needs (UK). Max also sits on the board of the Special Education Network and Inclusion Association, and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committees for both the American and British
Chambers of Commerce in Thailand. There is a global need for a change in employment outcomes, and Max founded Steps in 2016 to meet that need.
Niran Pravithana
Niran is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Fintech, AI, Blockchain startups. His interests are the future of economics and social change, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and decentralized finance. He believes the financial innovation and decentralization ideology will transform global economics, society, and politics into new challenging ways. His major study is about the decentralized economy and how it reshapes the role of financial middlemen.
Niran co-founded Vulcan Coalition in 2021. Vulcan Coalition is an innovative company that leverages AI technology to empower people with disabilities. They are dedicated to developing solutions that enable individuals with disabilities to perform at or above the average level through training and close collaboration.
