Disability & Accessibility Awareness

Ruben Carol

While studying business management at university, Ruben attended 2 years of acting classes to help him gain presentation skills he would need as a business owner.

He had been running a successful business for 11 years when he was struck by a hit-and-run  driver while riding his motorbike. He spent 5 weeks in a coma and 6 months in hospital before coming home and continuing to run his business from a hospital bed. He was almost unable to mobilise for another 2 years, as doctors tried to save his leg. 

In January 2007 it was decided that his leg would require to be amputated.  After the amputation, later that same year, Ruben found love online and sold everything he owned to move to the UK to join the woman who became his wife.

Looking for a meaningful new career, Ruben decided to fall back on his acting training and became a casualty simulation actor and facilitator for the British military. He then took on roles in film and television and even became a radio presenter. Doing investigative work in the media led him to explore the barriers faced by Disabled People. 

He continued to learn about disability equality, the difference between the Social Model of disability and the Medical Model of disability as well as disability legislation and how it can help Disabled people, as well as being columnist with regards to barriers and frustrations of the disabled community for multiple magazines (Able, Step Forward & Disabled Motoring).

Ruben is now an established Disability Equality Trainer with over 17 years lived experience which has given him the knowledge and experience to help advocate for the disabled community. Through this extensive and varied experience he has built a solid foundation of knowledge around disability, the issues & barriers the disabled community face and taking steps to help become a part of the drive for change to make.

Here a few examples of his work:

• Providing training packages around Disability Equality to multiple large companies, including but not limited to; the Church of England, various London local authorities, UBER, C2C Rail, and Transport for London. Educating their staff on the Social Model of Disability, current legislation, the right way to assist disabled patrons and the correct language to use when conversing with members of the Disabled Community.
•  Senior managers of different organisations also attend his training sessions to learn how best to support employees with impairments and making reasonable adjustments in the workplace.
• Working with local London Councils to facilitate co-production and co-design, involving disabled people in the decisions that are made with them rather than for them
• Most recently he has started Access Auditing, assisting companies in their efforts to become more inclusive to the Disabled People by pointing out the potential barriers they may face when coming into their premises. Including office buildings, construction sites, street and road diversions.

Ruben continues to work in film and television but his passion lies in public speaking and delivering disability equality training across the UK and the Republic of Ireland

UK Training aims:

• Explore the origins and evolution of attitudes towards disability and disabled people whilst recognising their historical shifts.
• Emphasise the significance of the Social Model and its value.
• Provide a concise overview of the Equality Act, outlining the expectations for service providers in the UK.
• Foster awareness of respectful language and etiquette.
• Cultivate an understanding of creating a more inclusive environment for staff, clients, volunteers, pupils, etc.

Utilise diverse training methods such as:

• PowerPoint presentations
• quizzes
• videos
• group activities
• and discussions to enhance engagement and comprehension