Community Stories

Dr Asakawa began her career in Computer Science at IBM in the 1980s. She made significant contributions to Web accessibility through the development of digital braille and web-to-speech software.

Sharing both the good and bad aspects of our work. Sharing the failures and the wins. Sharing motivation and sometimes disillusion… and learning that all of us, either small or big institutions, face the same type of challenges and that, as small as the footsteps are, they are the basal stones to produce a long-lasting institutional change!

An often-forgotten benefit of being involved in this kind of collaboration has been understanding that others are at different stages of their journey and that there are lots of different approaches to achieving the same aim. Because all the organisations have their own unique set of local issues and environments, being able to share experiences and exploring the issues that everyone else faces, has been enlightening.

Being part of the Pioneer group and the wider Equity@Ecsite Community of Practice offered a constructive space for experimentation and an exchange of experiences. This has proven invigorating, motivating and enlightening.

In short, my recommendation is to have a strategy, research, know your audience/business and then make your pitch reflective to encourage them to discuss, feel empowered and find a new motivation for the good of the business agenda.

Just start the conversation on DEI in your organisation, try to find some allies and see where this leads you. Don't think you have to be perfect straight away, but make a START!