The Disability Access Symposium 2026 is a landmark UK‑wide event bringing together senior leaders, sector champions, charities and experts to accelerate meaningful progress in accessibility for disabled people. Taking place virtually and in person during the week commencing 5 October 2026, the symposium is designed to turn best practice and lived experience into real‑world change.
Delivered in collaboration with the UK’s Disability & Access Ambassadors, the symposium will amplify initiatives, solutions and resources that are already improving the experience of disabled customers and employees - and help ensure that what works in one sector can be adopted across many more. Through thought‑provoking sessions, practical insights and cross‑sector discussion, attendees will gain up‑to‑date knowledge, fresh perspectives and actionable ideas they can take back into their organisations.
Our objectives:
- Amplify what already works: Showcase and scale proven initiatives, tools and practices that already improve the experience of disabled customers, employees and entrepreneurs. By spotlighting what works across sectors, encouraging wider adoption
- Collaborate to drive inclusive design: Create a cross-sector coalition of champions, experts and influential leaders who share emerging inclusive design practices, challenge outdated norms, and co-develop solutions that raise accessibility standards for disabled people.
- Inspire leaders to design access from the start: Motivate leaders to embed accessibility at the earliest stages of product, service and workplace design, avoiding costly retrofitting and ensuring disabled people and wider society, benefit from better, more intuitive solutions.
With in‑person events confirmed at PwC, Embankment (7 October) and Lloyd’s of London (8 October), alongside a full week of virtual activity, the Disability Access Symposium 2026 is an opportunity for influential decision‑makers to connect, collaborate and lead change - not just within their organisations, but across society.
Join us from 5-9 October 2026.
Register now for:
- Wednesday 7 October 2026 - In person, venue PWC, Embankment (10:00 – 16:00) You can register and learn more about the agenda here. An all‑day symposium held at PwC, Embankment, welcoming around 150 attendees for deeper discussion, cross‑sector learning and connection.
- Thursday 8 October 2026 - In person, venue Lloyds of London (12:00 – 14:00) You can register and learn more about the agenda here. A lunchtime event at Lloyd’s of London, bringing together up to 100 participants for focused conversation and networking.
- We will also host a series of virtual sessions throughout the week in order to support flexible participation and accessibility. You can register for these, here. These sessions will bring together Disability & Access Ambassadors, charities, experts and practitioners, to share insight grounded in lived experience as well as research and innovation.
"The Disability Access Symposium is a catalyst for leaders who want to collaborate, drive real change and accelerate accessibility across every sector. By amplifying proven initiatives, learning from pioneering organisations and hearing directly from disability access champions, we can together transform the experience of disabled customers and open up genuine opportunities for disabled employees and entrepreneurs."
Edward Grant, Disability Access Ambassador for Insurance
List of Disability and Access Ambassadors
The symposium is being delivered collaboratively with the UK’s Disability & Access Ambassadors, alongside charities and organisations from across multiple sectors. Its focus is on amplifying initiatives that are already making a difference, sharing knowledge that others may not yet be aware of, and creating the conditions for meaningful change beyond the week itself.
Expert Speakers:
We are delighted to confirm the following expert speakers throughout the week (others to be added):
- Giles Barker, BEM – Channel 4
- Caroline Barr – BIBA
- Becks Brindley – NatWest
- Vivine Cameron – CII
- Craig Crowley, CBE – Action Deafness
- James Edmonds – Chartered Insurance Institute
- Chris Fitch – Money Advice Trust
- John Fishwick – Virgin Atlantic
- Leighann Forsyth – BIBA
- Victoria Garcia, MBE – The Go-Ahead Group
- Rhiannon Gogh – SENDA
- Edward Grant – Just Asked
- Kate Hedley – The Clear Company
- Matthew Hill – Chartered Insurance Institute
- Emily Holzhausen, CBE – Carers UK
- Kirsten Howells – STAMMA
- Professor Deborah Johnston, MBE – University of Bedfordshire
- Jan Levy – Three Hands
- Sir Charlie Mayfield – Keep Britain Working
- Debbie Miller – RNIB
- Hector Minto – Kerbcut
- Patrick Regan, OBE – Brighter Days Life
- Sarah Stephenson – Simply Equality
- Howard Taylor – PwC
- Sir Stephen Timms, MP
- Johnny Timpson, OBE
- Kathryn Townsend – Nationwide
- Sara Weller, CBE – Disability Dividend
Symposium Learning Objectives
The Symposium may be utilised for the purpose of continuing professional development. By the end of the Symposium participants will be able to:
- Describe the impact of accessibility and disability inclusion on customers, employees, and communities, including the relationship between disability, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Identify practical actions, tools, and good practice that organisations can use to improve accessibility, increase employment opportunities for disabled people, and foster inclusive workplaces.
- Apply insights from leaders, experts, and lived experience to develop meaningful next steps that drive sustainable inclusion and accessibility improvements within organisations and the wider profession.
What’s coming next
Over the coming months, this site will be updated with full programme details, including session topics, additional speakers, accessibility arrangements and other information.
We look forward to welcoming you to be part of the conversation.
