Simon Minty

He/Him
Trainer and Consultant
Sminty Ltd

Award category:

Cross-Sector Advocate

Known for his many achievements, Simon has most recently developed and delivered different training courses for organisations including a career development programme for managers with a disability, both in the UK and internationally. Increased bespoke keynote talks to different organisations to encourage and develop their approach to disability inclusion. Continued offering work opportunities to employ and collaborate with other disabled people as actors, comedians, trainers and consultants. Continued mentoring and support of younger disabled people making their way in the creative industries or business. Continued board roles influencing and supporting Motability Operations plc (car leasing scheme for disabled people) and the National Theatre and acting as a conduit when issues arise. Reached 100 recorded The Way We Roll podcasts, disability talk with a sustained broad reach and listenership. Wrote a chapter for an academic book ‘Dwarfism arts and advocacy: creating our own positive identity’ being published in October 2024. Regularly appear on UK television.

More than ever before, disability pride is opening more doors.

Q&A

Simon Minty
Know your stuff, share appropriately, accept the right support, be accountable and enjoy yourself.
I’ve had feedback from 170 delegates of an international tech company saying the training was 100% relevant. The career development course for disabled managers at a large bank saw 12 people change how they viewed themselves, know how to get the right support and have confidence to progress. After keynotes the feedback is often highly positive as the ‘best they’ve heard’ and it’s ‘challenged or made me think differently about disability. I regularly hear from newly disabled people that they find our podcast and listen from the very start to learn everything. My board roles mean disabled people feedback to me, the good and the bad, which I can feed in to the organisations. I get many positive comments about improved representation and inclusion of disability and specifically dwarfism on our screens and the ‘normalisation’ of it with me appearing regularly. Informally I meet with, advise and support many individuals who are disabled and in the early stages of the career. I occasional support disabled individuals who are well established but have hit a bump and need support in progressing forward.
Continued training and keynotes which have an impact. To see more younger disabled people progress and direct what is needed. Ensure those with more complex impairments aren’t excluded. To help develop disabled people’s careers whether they are already in employment or staring out. Continued strong positive representation of disabled people including those with dwarfism on screen and stage.
Comedy, audiobooks, theatre, eating out and travel.
Fantastic inclusive theatre, sharp wise comedy, a lie in and being with amazing people disabled or not.
Cats, slightly more.
It’s a confidence thing – those of us with disabilities feeling ok about ourselves, even great about ourselves. And those non-disabled decision makers who can be hesitant.
Stigma still exists. Need more people in higher positions talking about themselves. Physical access is still partial especially in transport.

Areas of expertise

Accessibility, Business, Disability Advocacy, Employment, Equality, Performing arts, Television, radio, podcast

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Image credits: Steve Best
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