Dave is a former footballer for the England and Great Britain blind football team. His career spanned 17 years with 144 international appearances scoring 128 goals, making him England’s highest all time scorer. He received a lifetime achievement award from the FA and an OBE for his services to Paralympic Sport.
Today, David is currently CEO of the British Paralympic Association.
In this episode, we talk about Dave’s sporting career, the workings of blind football right through to perceptions and language about disability. Dave also discusses his role in preparing British Paralympians for the upcoming games in Paris, and the importance of representation and accessibility in the workplace and wider society. David also explains why having to constantly think about how to make things suitable for disabled people qualifies for the big bin of bullshit.
Chapters:
01:55 Understanding Blind Football
03:35 Navigating Communication and Language in Disability
04:43 Challenges and Misconceptions in Interacting with Disabled Individuals
05:40 The Importance of Empathy and Understanding in Communication
13:24 The Role of the British Paralympic Association
17:41 The Evolution and Impact of the Paralympics
22:13 The Intersection of Disability, Inspiration, and Performance
25:08 Translating Athletic Experience to Business
27:24 Challenges Facing the Paralympic Association
28:05 The Power of the Paralympics Brand
28:43 Understanding Disability in the Workplace
29:42 The Struggle of Employment Among Disabled People
31:49 The Fear of Sight Loss
37:20 Bullshit in Business – Making Things Suitable For Disabled People
38:50 The 10 Second Quickfire Round – Getting To Know Dave
40:17 The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace
47:31 The Upcoming Paralympics
48:27 Conclusion and Farewell
Dave’s Recommendations:
Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy (book)
The Salmon Of Doubt (book)
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