Sean Fitzsimons
he/him
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As a disabled professional, Sean is intimately aware of the barriers, and social injustices that disabled people face. His work has cut across public, private, third sector and political spheres positively challenging barriers at national and international levels.
Sean’s extensive international work has allowed him to connect and support the networking of disabled people and their organisations, always with a view towards collective action on matters of common concern.
Sean was Project Lead for the multi award winning Harkin Global Disability Employment Summit in Belfast 2022.
He was subsequently called to serve the Harkin Institute as an expert adviser on their core committee for people with disabilities.
Sean also proudly serves the British Council as an expert on their Disability Advisory Panel, providing discrete advice on matters affecting operations across over 100 countries globally.
At the outbreak of COVID-19, Sean joined the Cross Departmental Northern Ireland COVID-19 Emergency Leadership Reference Group to advise and shape the civil contingencies response to support disabled people in Northern Ireland.
Sean led a team of disabled colleagues to produce the only piece of Northern Ireland specific research into the impact of COVID-19 on the disabled community. This research was widely regarded as giving voice to the concerns of many who felt frightened and left behind. It was subsequently shared to ministerial level and informed planning for future waves.
At the end of 2020, Sean was publicly appointed by Minister NÃ ChuilÃn to a four person Expert Panel to make recommendations for a new Disability Strategy for Northern Ireland. The panel’s published report is the cornerstone of ongoing executive level and cross departmental work to advance equality and rights realisation for all disabled people in Northern Ireland.
As well as advising professionally on policy, strategy and communication, Sean is passionate about supporting others into positions of leadership. He works tirelessly in this space.
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