The Way We Roll

Has Our Day Arrived? International Disability perspectives with Susan Scott-Parker and Peter Fremlin Torres

Phil Friend

This month, to coincide with the International Day of Persons with a Disability 2024, we will explore the international progress of disability inclusion with our two guests.

Susan Scott Parker is a renowned global expert and an authoritative voice on disability and its effects on global business.

Peter Torres Fremlin is the editor of Disability Debrief, a newsletter that reports on disability news from around the world and the people who are making change happen.

We asked Susan and Peter about the persistent challenges. Are the large NGO’s and the conferences effective? Conversely, are the Organisations of Disabled People equipped to campaign, advocate and deliver? How can disability discrimination be recognised as a human rights issue and not optional? There’s money sloshing around; is it spent wisely? There are success stories to enjoy, a few less celebratory examples, and an acknowledgement that the search is on for new disability leaders.

We also discover our guests' love of poetry, a biography of Stalin being on a beach (maybe) and being on safari (definitely). 

Despite this being a substantial show, we realise there’s so much we didn’t cover: disabled people’s positioning in societies, poverty, access to education and healthcare and whether we go broad enough in terms of regions, to name a few. Nevertheless, there’s plenty in the show to think about. 

Peter Links 

Website Desability 

Peter’s X handle 

Peter LinkedIn page 

Disability Debrief

Fall With Me poem

Susan links

Business Disability International 

Susan LinkedIn page

Scott Parker Goes Live podcast 

Links

International Disability Alliance crisis

International Labour Organisation Global Business Disability Network