Elevate Your Event: Speaker Recommendations for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), observed on the third Thursday of May, is an important occasion to promote digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
As organizations worldwide come together to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for accessible technology, having the right speakers can significantly enhance the impact of your GAAD event. In this blog post, we’ll explore some top speaker recommendations to help you make your GAAD event a resounding success.
Speaker Recommendations:
Stephanie Nogueras She/Her
Actress, Speaker
Stephanie Nogueras is an actress of Puerto-Rican descent who happens to be Deaf and proficient in ASL. She is currently seen starring opposite Craig Robinson on the TV series Killing It (Peacock) and on episode 2 of the new anthology series The Accused (Fox.)
Ruth Rathblott She/Her
Keynote Speaker, DE&I expert
Thando Hopa She/Her
Fashion model, Advocate of diversity, Keynote, Speaker
Thando Hopa is a fashion model and an advocate of diversity who has made her mark globally. Her varied portfolio includes her background as a sexual offence prosecutor in the regional court at the National Prosecuting Authority, an international fashion model and a cultural leader at the World Economic Forum.
Dustin Giannelli He/Him
Profoundly deaf DEIA public speaker
Lacey Henderson She/her
Paralympian, Speaker, Author, Model and Sport and Performance Psychology Professional
Lacey is a Paralympian, an American Record holder in the long jump, a world record holder in the pole vault, Para Pan American Silver Medalist, 9x National Champion, and a former Div 1 athlete.
Jess Meredith She/Her
Neurodiversity advocate, Trainer, Speaker, Minds
She is a proud ADHDer and parent to wonderful neurodiverse children. She is on a mission to create inclusive environments for those with a neurological difference such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia, from schools to the workplace, and beyond.
Ranga Jayaraman He/Him
Strategist, advisor, evangelist, instructor, and coach for neurodiversity in the workplace. Seasoned digital transformation exec. Advisor to tech startups.
Ranga’s current passion is to empower neurodivergent individuals with the desire and ability to contribute to find meaningful, rewarding, and sustained employment and to help organizations in their journey to embrace neurodiversity inclusion in their workplaces.
Sarah Petherbridge
Disability awareness trainer for businesses and public speaker on disability & inclusion
Passionate and authentic disability awareness trainer helping businesses of all sizes become more disability confident and create inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities.
Crystal Kadakia She/Her
Keynote speaker and Consultant.
As an in-person and virtual speaker, Crystal has shared her message around the world for companies such as FedEx, Intel, Indeed, Nobu Hospitality, and Wells Fargo where audience members have considered her performance “one of the most insightful presentations” they have experienced.