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“Disabled is not a bad word, disability is not shameful. I try to live each day as a challenge to those attitudes and the barriers they create.”
Dr Amy Kavanagh is an award winning disability rights activist and campaigner.
Amy advocates for a more accessible world through consultancy, writing, policy influencing, media and public speaking. She is engaged with a variety of disability issues including, public transport, social inclusion, video games, accessible social media, feminism and the built environment; all with a core commitment to challenge negative attitudes towards disability.
Testimonies
Holly Smith, Culture & Employee Experience Manager, ComplyAdvantage
At ComplyAdvantage, diversity fuels our rocket ship and our commitment to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, and experience drives us forward every day, as part of that commitment, Amy shared her own personal experiences to help us understand how we can all act more inclusively. Amy tells her story in a funny, engaging and thoughtful way that helped our employees reflect in a meaningful way.
Ann-Marie Einhaus, Department of Humanities, Northumbria University:
The training was well rounded, covering everything from explaining what accessibility means and outlining compelling reasons for maximising accessibility, to practical advice for different platforms and even a consideration of ableist versus inclusive language. The session was attended by a mix of staff and students, from veteran social media users to Luddites, but every one of us felt they had taken a huge deal away from it. I've already recommended Amy to colleagues in other departments!
Cinzia Musio, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, Splash Damage
Working with Amy on making the workplace a more inclusive place for all has been great, her workshops are full of useful actionable items, and put the listener in a realistic setting, which has a great impact! Only a few weeks after the workshop, I have already noticed some changes across the company, so people seem to be taking the advice to heart.
Stacey Jenkins, Disability Employment Network, SEGA Europe
Amy joined our Global Accessibility Awareness Day panel at SEGA Europe and was delight to work with. Amy is always well prepared and full of insight, able to convey her personal experiences and in depth disability knowledge to a wide audience. Would definitely hire her again!
Rosie Fern, University of Greenwich
Amy spoke to the University of Greenwich Women's Staff Network about disabled women's experiences of sexual violence and assault in May 2021. Her talk was very powerful and we use excerpts from it to highlight consent and bystander intervention with our colleagues and students. I would highly recommend Amy to anyone looking for a speaker
Jane Garvey, BBC Radio 4
"Amy Kavanagh made a real impression on me and the Radio 4 audience. She is a powerful, passionate speaker with energy and spark. Amy makes her case fluently, and with a sense of humour. She should be listened to"
Emma Smith-Bodie, Muscular Dystrophy UK says:
"Working for a health and disability charity, I had some understanding about accessibility. But The Staying Inn training session really enlightened me about all the aspects of online activities we need to consider to ensure our whole community can be involved. Clever tactics, clear tips, this session was very helpful and Dr Amy Kavanagh was a great trainer."
Dr Hannah Mason-Bish of the University of Sussex says:
"I worked with Amy on a recent research project which was inspired by her "Just Ask, Don't Grab" campaign. She brims with enthusiasm and competence. Inventive in her thoughts and articulate in her words she made me want to be a better researcher. Her contribution to disability activism is immense as she brings forward new ideas and passion. "
Hannah Thompson, Royal Holloway University of London
"The best thing about the Digital Inclusion training was that it explained digital inclusion whilst modelling accessibility in its delivery. It was so refreshing to see this training delivered in an accessible way by the very people who best understand the needs of diverse groups. I cannot recommend highly enough."
Rebecca Rideal - Director of Hist Fest
"Amy is an informed, witty, and extremely engaging speaker who recently (and brilliantly) chaired a HistFest event exploring disability and the Industrial Revolution. More broadly, Amy's disability activism has directly inspired HistFest to up its game when it comes to the accessibility of online events. She's an important voice in our public sphere!"
Alan Benson, Chair of Transport For All
"Amy was awarded our 2020 Best Campaign Award in recognition of her efforts highlighting the barriers and poor attitudes disabled people face everyday. Her #JustAskDontGrab campaign in particular has been extensively covered in mainstream media and begun a transformative conversation."
About me
Amy in the Media
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