Disability Awareness & Inclusion Series - Episode 5: Living with Down’s syndrome

During our filming for Disability Awareness & Inclusion Training, we found some time to sit down and speak with each of our actors to gain an understanding of their lives living with a disability.

In Episode 5 of our Disability Awareness & Inclusion Series, we spoke with Poppy to learn all about her and her life living with Down's syndrome. Poppy spoke to us about her work, what she gets up to in her spare time, how she feels about the term disability and when people ask her about her disability, and, what she thinks workplaces can do to make a working environment more inclusive and accessible.

Watch Poppy's interview in the video below or you can keep reading our blog. 

What do you do for work?

I work at Waitrose and I work on the tills and I help people with their shopping.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Um, I like the beeps on the tills. Every time I put an item through on the tails it makes a noise and it's... it's a little beeping noise and I really like that.

What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time?

I like writing songs. And making cards. Going swimming with my mum and my step-dad, I like a lot of things really.

Are you comfortable with the term disability or do you use another term?

I'm comfortable with the word disability.

Are you comfortable answering questions about your disability?

Yes. 100%.

How do you find living and working with a disability?

Completely fine. Doesn't really bother me!

What is your strongest attribute or quality that you bring to your work?

Happiness! I make everyone happy at work and lots of fun as well, cause I'm a bubbly person.

What can workplaces do to make a working environment more inclusive and accessible?

To be kind to people who have disabilities like me.

Do you consider yourself to be disabled?

Some ways yes, I have Mosaic Down's Syndrome and it's different to any other disabilities that other people have.

What can others do to make society more inclusive?

To be more kind and respect me and other people living with a learning disability.

What has your disability inspired and enabled you to do?

Meeting new people and friends and spending time with my friends who have other learning disabilities like me.

This video is part of our Disability Awareness & Inclusion Training. 

If you would like to know more about what you can do to create a more inclusive and accessible workplace or simply provide your staff with more knowledge about the equal opportunities those with disabilities should be given, then you can get free access to this course today.