Susan Scott-Parker, OBE, stands out as a global leader and innovator in advancing disability inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Renowned for her commitment to transforming business approaches to disability, she founded the influential Business Disability Forum (BDF) in 1991. Through this UK-based nonprofit, Susan has helped numerous international companies enhance their disability inclusivity strategies, working across sectors to embed practices that support hiring, retaining, and empowering disabled employees. Her mission has consistently focused on helping organisations recognise and embrace the unique contributions of disabled individuals.
In recent years, Susan has also become a prominent advocate for ethical artificial intelligence, particularly regarding its impact on disabled job applicants. As a 2024 Advisory Board Member of the Disability Ethical AI Alliance, she collaborates with developers and recruiters to address potential biases in AI-driven recruitment systems. Concerned by the “disability-oblivious” design of some technologies, Susan pushes for innovations that consider diverse abilities and ensure fairer recruitment practices. Her expertise has led her to address AI governance in international forums, including the White House’s National AI Advisory Council and the EU’s CPDP Conference, where she shares her vision for inclusive AI.
In 2024, Susan broadened her reach by launching Scott-Parker Goes Live, a podcast dedicated to disability awareness and workplace inclusion. The podcast serves as a platform for Susan to share solutions and insights on making workplaces disability-friendly, reaching a global audience of business leaders and advocates. Her influence is further underscored by her role as the host of the PurpleSpace Global Disability ERG Summit, where she facilitates dialogue on disability confidence, a concept she originally developed in 2003 to help shift public perception around disability in business. Her recent speaking engagements, including appearances at the Disability Inclusive Pathways Conference and ZeroCon24, reflect her ongoing dedication to fostering systemic change.
Awarded an OBE in 2000 for her contributions to disability equality, Susan’s influence spans continents, from working closely with the United Nations’ International Labour Organisation to advising corporate leaders in countries such as Canada, Australia, and the UAE. As a passionate speaker, she is highly sought after by organisations interested in building inclusive workplaces. Her unique insights and strategic guidance have established her as an invaluable resource for businesses aiming to better understand the intersection of disability, ethics, and innovation.
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
Copyright © 2024 The Diversity & Inclusion Speakers Agency. All rights reserved.