Celebrating Layla Haynes: Championing Disability Inclusion at VodafoneThree

At VodafoneThree, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but core values that drive the company's mission and vision. One of the key figures behind these efforts is Layla Haynes, our Diversity and Inclusion Programme Lead for Disability and Accessibility. Layla has been instrumental in advancing disability and accessibility initiatives within the company for nearly two years.

Layla's role involves amplifying the voices of employees with disabilities. She collaborates with our internal networks to involve them in decision-making, making sure that any changes implemented are effective and inclusive from the start. 

As Layla puts it, "My role involves amplifying the voices of employees with disabilities, understanding the barriers they face, and ensuring that our recruitment and development processes are inclusive".

Layla has been involved in several key events and initiatives, these events aim to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities. Additionally, Layla has worked on improving interview questions to be more inclusive and is pursuing Disability Confident Level 3 status for VodafoneThree.

She explains, "We've organised several key events such as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and Autism Acceptance Month. These events aim to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities".

Achieving Disability Confident Level 3 status is a significant goal for VodafoneThree. There has been an incredible amount of work that has gone into this submission, and it doesn’t stop there with Layla planning to create videos, blogs, and social media posts to spread awareness of VodafoneThree’s people and things VodafoneThree have done to help people with any disabilities feel they belong to really build Vodafone as an inclusive diverse workplace. 
Layla says, "Our strategy involves three phases: obtaining Level 3, building on our achievements, and challenging ourselves to make bigger changes. The goal is to use the Disability Confident framework to continuously improve our disability and accessibility strategy, rather than just meeting the minimum criteria".

Layla's dedication to improving the working environment for people with disabilities is non-stop. She has been a guest speaker at the Disability Confident in Action Business Summit, hosted by Microsoft in partnership with BASE, and has led the charge in organising Vodafone’s VodABILITY International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Layla's passion for empowering VodafoneThree to be Disability Confident is evident in her commitment to using this model to lead a positive movement in the business.

Reflecting on her experience as a guest speaker, Layla shares, "I was honoured to recently be asked to speak on a panel at the Disability Confident in Action Business Summit. During the event, which provided a great opportunity to share best practices as well as connect and learn from other companies, we discussed VodafoneThree’s journey towards becoming Disability Confident. We shared some of our key successes and learnings, and provided top tips on how other businesses can start their own Disability Confident journey, particularly when it comes to incorporating disability inclusion into their workforce planning".

We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact Layla makes every day in creating an environment where diversity, inclusion, and accessibility thrive. Thank you, Layla, for everything you do!

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