Reflecting on the 2025 Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference
What an extraordinary two days - from the beautiful welcome to the powerful closing session, the conference was filled with insights, innovation, and inspiration – all helping to shape a more inclusive future for disabled people in Aotearoa.
A Powerful Opening
Our conference opened with a beautiful mihi whakatau by Ngāti Whātua Orākei, setting the tone for two days of respectful dialogue and authentic connection. A deeply moving moment followed as our CE Phil Turner received a inanga pounamu from Kaumātua Ken Te Tau of Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People and blessed by Ngāti Whātua Orākei, recognising Phil's leadership in disability inclusion. This gesture embodied the spirit of partnership and recognition that lies at the heart of our kaupapa – building a more inclusive Aotearoa together.
International Perspectives and Global Insights
Andy Garrett - GSK Global (UK) -
‘‘Don’t build your adjustments programme about the 0.2%’
Andy shared invaluable insights on workplace adjustments and disability inclusion, showing us how his journey from police work to pioneering GSK's centralised adjustment process demonstrates the power of diverse experiences in driving change. His trust-based approach, strategic partnership with Microlink, and successful global expansion across North America, Europe, India, and Singapore provided a compelling blueprint for organisations looking to scale their inclusion efforts.
What really resonated was Andy's focus on supporting all employees - from speech-to-text software and AI-tools to coaching that help employees thrive. His example of providing an iPad with accessibility features for a candidate with low vision perfectly illustrated how simple, tailored solutions create opportunities for everyone.
Rubeena Singh - International Labour Organisation: "Putting the I into ESG"
Joining us via video link from Canada, Rubeena delivered a keynote on "Putting the I into ESG: Disability as a strategic advantage in sustainability efforts." Her insights elevated disability inclusion from a compliance checklist to a strategic business advantage, showing how companies can integrate disability inclusion into their ESG reporting and corporate sustainability practices. The framework she presented offers organisations a clear roadmap for embedding disability inclusion as a measurable, reportable business advantage.
Nerida Weller - Jacobs Group Australia: Learning from disabled colleagues (employee-led networks)
Nerida joined us from across the Tasman to share with us the transformative power of employee-led networks through her work as Chair of ACE (Access, Connect, Empower) at Jacobs Group Australia. Under her leadership, ACE has grown from 150 to nearly 2,700 global members - over 6% of Jacobs' workforce - earning recognition as "Disability Employee Network of the Year" at the 2024 Australian Disability Network's Disability Confident Awards.
Her message was clear: learning directly from disabled colleagues and disability leaders creates better employee experiences and improved services for customers. The ACE Network's "Culture of Caring" initiative shows how sharing accurate information and providing educational resources builds disability confidence across organisations.
CEO Leadership and Business Impact
Youth Panel - I-Lead: Tomorrow's Workforce
The Youth Panel remained a conference favourite, featuring three remarkable panellists from I.Lead: Hayden Clements, who shared his journey navigating employment with chronic fatigue; Ashe Black, who emphasised the importance of flexible working hours; and Nijaya Senarath-Dassanayake, who highlighted communication and structured support needs. Convenor Sandra Budd from NZDEN facilitated discussions on breaking down employment barriers for disabled youth. These young advocates are reshaping how we think about inclusive workplaces – challenging assumptions and offering solutions, from structured breaks to flexible hours.
CEO Panel: Leadership in Action
Our CEO panel brought together three exceptional leaders: Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala (Hind Management/Sudima Hotels), Ashley Alcock (Adecco NZ), and Rafael Gonzalez-Montero (NZ Parliamentary Service), convened by Phil Turner. These leaders shared their personal motivations for championing disability inclusion and the real challenges they face - from overcoming fear of change to securing better tools and resources.
What came through loud and clear was that the economic value of diversity isn't just theoretical. These CEOs showed how data and real-world outcomes demonstrate the business case for inclusion – but also that real change starts with listening, learning, and leading with intent. Their generosity in sharing experiences reminded us all that authentic inclusion starts at the top.
Disabled Leaders Panel: "Journeys of Disabled Leaders"
Our disabled leaders panel provided powerful insights into how disability can be leveraged as a strength. Dan Buckingham from Able, Sarah Hearn from Westpac, and Kris Edwards from the radio world shared how their lived experiences enhanced their leadership effectiveness, created deeper connections with teams, and brought essential human elements to decision-making processes.
Practical Tools and Innovation
Rachael Parkinson-Turner - NZDEN: Inclusive Recruitment Workshop
Rachael led a scenario workshop using fictional candidate 'Steven', collectively identifying barriers that might prevent qualified disabled candidates from even starting the application process. Working collaboratively, we developed more inclusive and purposeful job advertisement alternatives - practical tools that attendees can implement immediately.
Stuart Hayes: AI and Accessibility
Technology and accessibility intersected beautifully in Stuart's keynote on AI and accessibility, highlighting both the tremendous potential and important challenges of AI in real-time transcription, visual assistance, cognitive assistance, and independent living. His insights reminded us that whilst technology can be transformative, we must remain vigilant about data bias and ensure AI serves all communities equitably.
Ginny Baddeley (Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People) and
Tabatha Murray - NZDEN Community of Practice representative: "The next-gen of disability tools and supports"
In a joint keynote session, Ginny Baddeley, Deputy Chief Executive at Whaikaha, shared the government's commitment to improving employment of disabled people. Key highlight: launching an all-of-government internship programme for disabled students where the entry criteria is "you must be disabled" - flipping the traditional script. Ginny emphasised that while tools and systems matter, lasting change comes from shifting attitudes and culture, starting with small individual commitments.
Tabatha Murray from NZDEN's Accessible Recruitment Community of Practice then introduced ARM-Up (Accessible Recruitment Model) - a comprehensive recruitment framework co-designed with disabled people. This game-changing model includes: providing clear process explanations for candidates, an "accessible recruitment menu" offering potential accommodations, as well as a "recipe book" for hiring teams to implement adjustments confidently, and disability confidence training modules for the hiring team. Currently being tested by three employers across the public and private sectors, ARM-Up aims to transform recruitment from barrier-filled to genuinely inclusive.
Brooke Trenwith: "The Invisible Burden - Supporting Neurodivergent Employees"
Brooke delivered essential insights on neurodivergent employee experiences, addressing masking, burnout, and cumulative stress impacts. Her practical accommodation strategies included structured breaks, quiet spaces, clear communication protocols, and flexible arrangements - tools every workplace can implement.
Phil Turner (NZDEN): Accessible Recruitment 'Unworkshop'
Phil led an engaging 'unworkshop' where attendees chose to focus on accessible recruitment, exploring how to ensure every disabled person has an equitable opportunity in the recruitment process. The room’s energy showed just how central accessible recruitment is to building equitable workplaces.
Building Stronger Partnerships
Customer Service Panel: "Welcoming Disabled Customers"
The customer service panel featuring Ed Collett (Air New Zealand), Tania Reed and Jared Hutcheson (Westpac), and Tan Phuangdokmai (Tauranga City Council), convened by Loren Savage (Whaikaha), showcased how organisations across sectors are creating genuinely welcoming experiences for disabled customers through accessible technology, inclusive service design, and community engagement.
Ed Collett (Air NZ) & Sarah Dann-Hoare (Project Employ): Corporate-Community Relationships
Ed and Sarah demonstrated how businesses can build stronger relationships with the disability community. Their success story of Project Employ's partnership with Air New Zealand shows tangible outcomes - including permanent employment for graduates and expansion opportunities. The workshop generated brilliant ideas including online marketplaces connecting businesses with disability organisations, corporate open days for accessibility showcasing, and natural engagement strategies that build disability confidence.
Universal Design and Environmental Access
Claire Bretherton (Whaikaha) & Phil Turner (NZDEN): "Understanding the Full Power of Universal Design"
Claire and Phil delivered compelling insights on universal design, demonstrating how changes made for disabled people often benefit everyone. Their statistics reinforced the business case for building workplaces that serve the entire population.
Built Environment Accessibility Panel
The built environment accessibility panel, convened by Amy Hogan with Thea Kurdi, Colleen Jones, and April Johnson, emphasised starting accessibility planning early, involving the disabled community from the beginning, and the urgent need to update outdated standards.
Sandra Budd (NZDEN): Accessible Car Parking Workshop
Sandra led a practical workshop on accessible car parking, highlighting that 47% of disabled people identify transport as a major barrier to participating in society. The session addressed the critical issue of misuse of accessible car parks, with over one-third of people parking in designated spaces not entitled to use them, and explored enforcement challenges and solutions.
Community Connections and Future Pathways
Monica Leach - Merge NZ: NZSL Taster Session
Day 2 began with Monica offering an NZSL taster session, reminding us of the importance of communication accessibility and the rich diversity within the deaf community. As we approach the 20th anniversary of NZSL recognition next year, this session highlighted both progress made and work still to be done.
Mike Potter - Disability Connect: "Preparing for First Conversations - Engaging with Tomorrow's Talent"
Mike provided guidance on engaging with tomorrow's talent, emphasising the importance of "painting possibilities" for disabled students rather than focusing on barriers. His practical advice on preparing for first conversations with disabled high school students will help employers create meaningful connections at events like the upcoming Transition Expo.
Lightning talks –
Our lightning talk speakers offered short, sharp bursts of insight, inspiration, and innovation:
- Veera Access
- Rhiannon Bond: "I'm Neurodivergent: Why Saying It Out Loud Matters"
- My Business Starter (CCS Disability Action)
- Taimahi Trust
- Emily Norton (Project Employ)
Wrapping Up: What's Next for Us All?
Looking back on these two powerful days, the message that stays with us is clear: disability inclusion is not a tick box – it’s a shared, evolving journey of progress over perfection. And together, we’re moving forward.
Across the programme, speakers offered both deep insight and practical strategies we can take back to our workplaces right now.
Brooke Trenwith’s session on supporting neurodivergent employees reminded us how small changes - like structured breaks, clear communication, and flexible arrangements - can reduce the invisible burden many carry.
Our panel of disabled senior leaders was a standout, showing how lived experience strengthens leadership and builds cultures of trust. And in the CEO panel, we heard honest reflections on the challenges and rewards of change – and the critical role leadership plays in building truly inclusive organisations.
We saw CEOs being open about their challenges and successes, disabled leaders sharing how their experiences have impact their journeys, and innovators developing new tools and frameworks that benefit everybody.
The session from Air New Zealand and Project Employ offered a tangible example of what strong business-community partnerships can achieve. Their work shows how inclusion becomes sustainable when grounded in relationships and mutual learning.
The 5-minute ‘Lightning Talks’ also left a lasting impression. Rhiannon Bond’s powerful call to “say it out loud” resonated widely, reinforcing how visibility and self-advocacy continue to shift culture.
Perhaps most importantly, we witnessed a community coming together - not just to learn, but to support each other in doing better. When Ginny talked about flipping barriers with the government's "you must be disabled" internship programme, or when the customer service panel shared their wins and work-in-progress, we saw the kind of authenticity that builds real trust.
Throughout the conference, we saw how even small shifts – clearer job ads, transparent processes, and better understanding of needs – can have immediate impact. Many of the practical tools and ideas shared are ready to be picked up, adapted, and used.
What made this conference truly special wasn’t only the generosity of knowledge shared, but the openness and shared commitment in how it was offered.
To everyone who spoke, supported, or showed up with curiosity and intent – thank you. You are helping shape a future where inclusion is how we lead, hire, design, and work.
The future of disability inclusion in Aotearoa is something we’re building, together. And if this conference is anything to go by, that future is already taking shape.