Motivational
Talks
As persons with disabilities, we have worked, travelled, explored the world and faced our share of obstacles along the way. We have spoken about these experiences in talks, podcasts, lectures and keynote addresses, and on the TEDx stage. We share our stories to encourage people to follow their dreams and passions in their own way, on their own terms. Our conversations have often turned to the following themes, and each talk is shaped around the audience and the purpose of the event.
Disability and resilience .
We have studied, worked and travelled in a world that was not built with persons with disabilities in mind. We speak openly about the barriers we have faced, the decisions we made and what helped us keep going when things were hard. Resilience, as we have lived it, is built through small, repeated choices, and it is open to anyone. Listeners often find that our experiences help them look at their own difficulties differently.
The power of independence
Independence changes how a person sees themselves and how others see them. Driving our own car is one clear example, and it is the idea on which DOMO is built. We talk about what it means to move, work and live without waiting for someone else to make it possible, and why this matters to families, employers and society. With the right support, persons with disabilities can do far more than most people expect.
Leadership through adversity
Our experience covers academic leadership, corporate consulting and building an organisation from the ground up. We speak about leading when money is tight, the path is unclear and others doubt what is possible, and about how setbacks can sharpen judgement and teach a leader to listen. This talk suits leadership forums, management teams and students preparing to take on responsibility.
Social Entrepreneurship.
DOMO began with a single conversation, when a woman with a disability said she wanted to learn to drive and be independent. We talk about turning a real need into an organisation, the hard work of the early years, and why a good cause needs planning and persistence to last. Students, young professionals and anyone thinking of starting a social enterprise will find this directly useful.
Women leadership and empowerment
Women, in general, often meet barriers at home, in education, at work and in public life, all at once. However, disability exacerbates such challenges. We draw our conversation around the experience of a woman with a disability who chose to study, lead, travel and take risks on her own terms. It covers the expectations placed on women with disabilities, the difference support from family and community makes, and the confidence that comes from making one's own choices. It speaks strongly to women's forums, colleges, workplaces and community groups.
Innovation, Sustainability and Inclusion.
Most products, services and spaces are designed for an average user, and many people are left out as a result. We speak about what changes when persons with disabilities are included from the start, with examples from adaptive driving, assistive technology and accessible workplaces. We also make the case that growth is sustainable only when it includes everyone, and that accessible design is part of building transport, cities and products that last. Technology teams, designers, engineering and management institutions, and innovation forums are a natural audience.
