About Us
The Disability Connect Mentoring Scheme was founded by Steven Jones, a public sector professional, a wheelchair user and mental health first aider.
Steven has a rare, genetically inherited neuromuscular condition called spinal muscular atrophy that causes muscle weakness, loss of movement and permanently uses a wheelchair.
Steven studied at Oxford Brookes University where he volunteered as a student mentor at a local secondary school and was elected as Disabled Students’ Officer which involved representing the disabled student population and campaigning for change across the university. Since graduating he has held positions in the private, not-for-profit and public sector and has first-hand experience of the challenges and barriers of disability in the workplace and during the recruitment process. He has participated in both mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes, as a mentor and mentee, and believes mentoring to be the most effective way of learning in the workplace.
Steven is passionate about diversity and inclusion and understands the need to embed a disability positive culture to attract and retain the best talent and improve company image. He set up the Disability Connect Mentoring Scheme to connect business leaders with disabled mentors via a formal mentoring scheme to help them increase their knowledge, awareness and understanding of disability and implement effective change within their organisation.
You can get in touch with Steven by emailing info@disabilityconnect.org.uk