Kris Foster’s Post

I am deeply moved after watching this video. It delivers such a powerful and necessary message. It reminds us that we all bear responsibility when we fail to build truly inclusive systems—systems that, knowingly or unknowingly, leave gaps and impact countless lives. We speak of inclusion, yet these gaps persist, and we must acknowledge that there's much more to be done. Building a world that truly works for everyone requires us to take intentional action, rethink our approach, and commit to creating spaces where every individual can thrive. The work ahead is vital, and the need for real inclusion is urgent. #InclusionMatters #DiversityAndInclusion #Equity #InclusiveLeadership #BreakTheBias #BuildABetterFuture

Over the last few months at Project Nemo we’ve been working on an exciting new initiative, and I’m so proud to share the launch of our new film series ‘Disability Inclusion Stories’. The series aims to shine a light on the stories of those living with disabilities. Stories that need to be heard. At Project Nemo our mission is to Accelerate Disability Inclusion in the Fintech industry. We’re focusing on Fintech both because it’s the industry we know, but also because it is a young, agile industry with an opportunity to get it right from the outset. Digital solutions have the power to increase access, but often inaccessibility is unconsciously being built in, just because disability needs are not considered, or not understood. Our ‘Disability Inclusion Stories’ films, and podcast series, aim to address this. Speaking to the industry over the last few months we’ve repeatedly heard “Disability is too hard to tackle. We don’t know where to start”. Our films bring to life different stories of disability, helping the industry to really understand the issue and the challenges faced in accessing and engaging with fintech products and services. Understanding is the first step towards driving real action and change, and ensuring Financial Services really are for everyone. We’ll be sharing more stories over the coming weeks and months. Please help us to amplify these powerful, underrepresented voices by engaging and sharing with colleagues and friends. Together, we can build a more inclusive, future-focused industry that we can be truly proud of. This is Amit’s Story. Thank you to Changemaker Studios for bringing this to life, and for Amit Ghose for allowing us to share his powerful story. ID: A short film telling Amit's story and showing his day to day life with his family and friends. #DisabilityAwareness #Inclusion #Fintech

Interesting article about how the Fintech industry can better serve the UK’s largest minority. More than 1 in 5 people live with a disability in the UK. The Project Nemo is a 12 month initiative, aiming to make a change in disability inclusion across the Fintech industry. It is focused on long-term systemic change in three ways: education, empowering and showcasing people with disabilities. https://lnkd.in/ed62ReDN

Exciting news! Max Inclusion B.V. will be at Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam from June 4th-6th, 2024 together with the Amazing Project Nemo. On Thursday we will be running a workshop on the business case and value for Disability Inclusion in the beachclub. How did a grassroots, non-profit initiative like Project Nemo secure a spot, a stand, and a fringe event at one of the biggest FinTech events of the year? Thanks to the incredible supporters from the FinTech industry and Money 20/20 who believe in the mission. Their commitment to fostering inclusive innovation made this possible. We plan to make the most of our time at Money 20/20, engaging with key decision-makers on a crucial topic. Join us for our fringe event, **Business Case for Disability Inclusion** at the Communities Hub @ The Beach House on June 6th at 11 AM CET. This is a fantastic chance to explore how disability inclusion can drive business success and innovation with expert insights. For more information about Max Inclusion, visit maxinclusion.com. For more information about Project Nemo, visit projectnemo.co.uk. I look forward to connecting with you and advancing the conversation on disability inclusion in FinTech. Let’s make a difference together! #Money2020 #Fintech #DisabilityInclusion #ProjectNemo #Innovation #Inclusion #BusinessCase #accessibility #inclusiveness #a11y #inclusivedesign #disability #webaccessibility #accessibilitystrategy #peoplewithdisabilities #accessibilitymaturitymodel #ISO30071-1 #accessibilitygapanalysis #accessibilityawareness Joanne Dewar Jasveer Sidhu Prerna Goel Camiel Driessen

Project Nemo Launches Podcast and Film Series Campaigning for Disability Inclusion in Fintech Joanne Dewar, Project Lead, Project Nemo, says: “Our goal is to be the catalyst for fintechs to consider how digital accessibility is relevant to them, and take meaningful steps to address how they approach disability inclusion. The launch of our Disability Inclusion Stories marks an important step in reaching that goal by bringing to life tangible and relatable examples, supported by relevant charities and action groups who help contextualise the scale of each issue and explain why it matters.” “The fintech community is waking up to the significance of disability inclusion: we’ve seen an outpouring of support for Project Nemo since we launched at Innovate Finance Global Summit in April. “We will capitalise on that momentum over the coming months, by creating content that helps build understanding amongst the fintech community, put disability inclusion firmly on the agenda, and inspire action towards lasting change. Combined the podcast and film series provide a 360 degree view of why we need to ensure we are inclusive, and what we need to do to get there.” https://lnkd.in/eckXvaFd Conner Pilmore Missive Whitney Simon Prerna Goel Cameron Cox Jasveer Sidhu Business Disability Forum Diane Lightfoot #fintech #finance #banking #paytech #payments #fintechnews #paymentsnews

A shoutout to Kris Foster for your relentless efforts in changing the narrative around disabilities in the workplace! Through your remarkable passion and dedication, Kris has demonstrated that success is not defined by one's background or disability but by the innovative ideas and creativity they bring to the table. As someone with dyslexia, I used to be uncomfortable exposing this aspect of myself. However, I realised that my dyslexia never hindered my ability to exceed targets, excel in problem-solving, or positively impact the lives of others. We should all be able to bring our best selves to work without fear of judgment or embarrassment. During my degree, an academic made me aware that Albert Einstein also had dyslexia, and it was in that moment I recognised the potential within myself. This realisation inspired me to stop viewing my uniqueness as a weakness and embrace it as a strength. Unfortunately, there are countless individuals with both visible and invisible disabilities who are eager to contribute their talents to the workforce but are not given the opportunities, roles, or promotions they deserve. Let us challenge the status quo and create work environments that value and celebrate the talents of every individual, no matter their background or disability. It's time for organisations to take urgent action and recognise that embracing diversity and inclusivity wholeheartedly can drive innovation, growth, and success. Individuals with disabilities contribute unique perspectives and problem-solving skills that can help organisations reach new heights. By taking action, we can make a difference in the lives of countless individuals and shape a more inclusive future for all. I salute you Kris Foster 🙌🏾 A voice for the unheard! #DiversityAndInclusion #DisabilityInclusion #Empowerment #OrganizationalSuccess #DyslexiaAwareness #UniqueStrengths #TalentWithoutBoundaries #FinTech

The phrase "Money cannot buy diversity and inclusion (D&I)" profoundly captures the essence of true inclusivity within an organization. While financial investments can support initiatives, training programs, and diversity hiring efforts, they alone cannot forge a genuinely inclusive culture or tackle deep-seated systemic issues. Achieving real progress in D&I demands unwavering commitment, continuous effort, and authentic changes in attitudes, policies, and practices. It means creating an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully, a goal that cannot simply be purchased but must be nurtured and sustained over time. This is a cause I am fiercely passionate about, and it is why I have dedicated my life to advancing D&I. I make no apologies for my commitment to this cause, as the relationships I have built in the industry affirm its critical importance. When we established Openbook, our vision was clear: to enhance visibility and drive transformative change. We set out to bridge the gap between the disabled and non-disabled communities, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. As someone with a disability, I have always aspired to create a space where the non-disabled world feels comfortable and engaged. Our mission at Openbook is to champion inclusion by showcasing the strengths and contributions of diverse individuals, thereby breaking down the barriers of prejudice and misconception. We believe that true diversity is not just about numbers or quotas; it is about fostering a culture of genuine inclusion where every voice is heard and valued. Our journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. Each step forward has reinforced our belief that while money can provide the tools, the true essence of D&I comes from heartfelt commitment and relentless effort. The impact we have seen, the lives we have touched, and the communities we have brought together affirm that we are on the right path. Our work is far from over, but every day, we move closer to a world where diversity and inclusion are not just goals but lived realities. Stay tuned for Part 2 coming later this week. #DiversityAndInclusion #DI #InclusiveCulture #SystemicChange #MutualRespect #BreakingBarriers #DisabilityInclusion #TransformativeChange #DiversityMatters #HeartfeltCommitment #Empowerment #ChampioningInclusion #Openbook #LivedRealities Follow Open Book - Disability Awareness ID Me leading a panel discussion on inclusion with Ellie Jake Baker-Cliff his twin sister Daisy, and Javeno Mclean We’re all engaged, sharing unique perspectives on the importance of inclusion in today’s society,

Two excellent posts here. Click through to Sunita Harley (she/her) Collective Insight's post for the full read and what she has shared. Both are an incredibly valuable statement on the importance of not simply seeing DEI as a financial investment or a thing to buy/build/adapt in your building. But is a culture that you create and strive for in policy making, procedure writing, staff engagement and interaction, on boarding, training and more. It's time to move beyond a one-and-done awareness training approach to all elements of DEI, and as organisations really challenge how we are constructed, our internal cultures and how we impact the world externally. It's time to do the work to change that.

Pioneering Initiative Launches to Accelerate Disability Inclusion in Fintech Joanne Dewar, Project Nemo lead, says: “What started as isolated conversations a year ago have rapidly gathered momentum and, in just a few short months we are launching at IFGS. I have long held the mantle on equity and inclusion in fintech and yet I have never received such unequivocal support and personal resonance around one issue – disability inclusion. It is a massive missed opportunity for fintech. “Fintech thinks of itself as the future of financial services, and we have made great strides in streamlining, broadening reach and lowering costs. But if we ever want to truly achieve mainstream adoption beyond the digital natives, we need to ensure that our workplaces, all of our products and services fully consider accessibility.” https://lnkd.in/en2Qbb7J Mary Elliott Janine Hirt Fintech Week London FinTech North European Women Payments Network (EWPN) Money20/20 Innovate Finance The Payments Association Fintech Fringe #fintech #finance #banking #paytech #payments #fintechnews #paymentsnews

I know I need to do better, learn more and do more. What is your organisation or workspace specifically doing to "bridge the gap between the disabled and non-disabled communities"? Thank you Kris Foster, Founder of Open Book, for this guidance. Kris also reminds us that diversity, equity and inclusion goes way beyond the initial financial investment. I've seen how many of the organisations and clients I work with are challenging themselves to do better, learn more and do more regarding various DEI strands including disability. However, I am someone who becoming more and more curious about what organisations are doing to "bridge the gap between disabled and non-disabled communities". I love that at my office space, as we wait for our coffee to be made, we can watch a video on loop educating us how to use British Sign Language to order our coffee. When I walk around an office building or public space for the first time, I do a sense check of whether it's also wheelchair-friendly or whether quiet spaces are available for those with varying neurodiverse needs. Kris also talks about "understanding". This is incredibly important. When people love different lives, have different backgrounds or different identities, we need to gain more insight into what it's like for the other person in their week. This is also why raising awareness of what non-disabled people can do to support disabled communities is critical (and shouldn't just be a thing during Disability Awareness Month 16 November to 16 December in the UK or Pride Disability Month in July). If you want to learn more, do better and do more, I'm sharing some resources and sources of guidance regarding disability awareness. Please remember that there is not one form of disability, so yes this means we have to work hard at building our own knowledge and awareness. ✅ Check out the work of Open Book which disrupts societal norms by shifting the conversation towards strengths and inspiring an inclusive future. ✅ Look into how your organisation can learn from the Business Disability Forum in the UK which helps organisations to play their part in a disability-smart world. Access expert advice and support, knowledge and resources and opportunities to share best practice with others. ✅ Check out the work of Isaac Harvey MBE, Disability Advocate who runs his own consultancy advising organisations on taking practical actions to be more inclusive regarding disabilities. I finally met Isaac for the first time last year and it's epic what he's doing in this space. ✅ Check out the work of Emma Gardner, Founder of With Not For - a talent and content agency that exclusively represents Disabled creatives. Emma often shares her lived experiences of being a parent and carer with her daughter who thrives with disabilities. I always feel honoured that I first met Emma many years ago through one of my Lucky Things women's networking events. Emma's work is incredible. #DisabilityAwareness