The group’s mission statement is to:
Promote disability equality to help maintain and improve a working environment that is supportive, accessible and inclusive to all employees.
Members of ENabled give strategic and practical advice to BAE Systems leaders and help meet the company meet its commitments as a signatory of The Valuable 500 list. Together BAE Systems and ENabled UK aim to maintain an environment in which every employee can fulfil their potential.
To help raise awareness of the impact of different disabilities, ENabled is active in running awareness campaigns across BAE Systems. The team also organises events and conferences examining different aspects of disability, including ‘promoting disability confidence' and ‘recognising hidden disabilities’. The group’s members help shape the type of support offered to employees, from increasing awareness and access of existing assistive software, technology and devices to offering dedicated individual advice for employees and their managers. ENabled UK also works closely with BAE Systems’ facilities management teams to improve physical accessibility in BAE Systems’ workplaces.
As the UK Executive Sponsor for Disability, I am very proud to sponsor the ENabled Disability Employee Resource Group. ENabled draws upon the experience of its members to provide guidance and support regarding disability issues. This has significant benefits both for employees and for the business in terms of better understanding how disability challenges can be most effectively addressed in the workplace. Chris Kelly, Commercial Director, BAE Systems Air
Marie
Marie is a Qualification and Certification Engineer in BAE Systems’ Air business
She’s worked for more than 20 years in the company and is currently in Typhoon Avionics Subsystems.
"I wasn’t always disabled, and for most of my life I moved around without a wheelchair. I first learned that I had Multiple Sclerosis after a series of falls prompted me to get in touch with my doctor. The condition can affect the brain and spinal cord, impairing arm and leg movement, balance and other things too which vary from person to person. By the time I received my diagnosis, I was already using a walking stick because it was affecting my balance so badly. In time, this meant using a wheelchair - something I was dreading. I couldn’t help thinking that everyone would be staring or talking about it. As it turned out, I had nothing to worry about.
"Adapting was difficult at first though, in part, because small things suddenly make such a big difference. We might think that things are accessible when actually they’re not. Shopping was and remains incredibly difficult. The internet certainly helps, and supermarkets have improved massively, but many shops - particularly clothing retailers - are still really difficult to access.
"In my workplace, minor changes to allow me to access rooms, to turn around in my wheelchair have a huge impact. But, in fact, it’s the small things in the day-to-day conversations that make a real difference. People taking the time to show some understanding, to offer help, to enable me to get involved. The physical environment might be far from perfect, but people who take the time to help can enable you to overcome so many things.
"I’d encourage people to look beyond the impairment. Don’t feel awkward about talking about it - have a conversation, get to know the person behind the impairment a little bit more, and remember that not all disabilities are clear and visible to see.”
I’d encourage people to look beyond the impairment. Don’t feel awkward about talking about it - have a conversation, get to know the person behind the impairment a little bit more, and remember that not all disabilities are clear and visible to see. Marie, Qualification and Certification Engineer, BAE Systems Air
Tanya
Project Administrator Tanya plays a crucial role supporting delivery of the Hunter Class Frigate Programme, working in Glasgow, UK, for BAE Systems’ Maritime business.
"I’d worked from the age of 16 without any real medical issues or concerns. But gradually, bit-by-bit, I felt exhaustion creeping up on me. This wasn’t the one-off feeling of being tired after a late night or a long day, this was a feeling of tiredness that left me feeling physically sick. Eventually, I decided enough was enough, and went to my GP who took blood-tests. The doctor informed that I was seriously Vitamin B12 deficient (Pernicious Anemia) and that I couldn’t leave it any longer. A programme of treatment began soon after - and continues over a decade later. This involves a regular course of injections and tablets and frequent check-ups.
“It’s not perfect. I still feel these symptoms often and also new ones, but, crucially, I can live my day-to-day life and work as normally as possible. But that’s not just down to the treatment. A big part of being able to move forward has been the relationships I’ve had with my line managers and my colleagues around how I manage this impairment. I’ve been open and those around me have been flexible, and open to making small adjustments that make the world of difference to me.
“For anyone with an invisible impairment, I’d encourage you to try and be open with your managers. If things are affecting your work, let them know, and help them to understand. A solution often doesn’t mean a big change – and people being aware, particularly those who are empowered to make a difference, can really help.”
Phillip
Phillip is a Software Engineer in BAE System’s Air business and helps to run ENabledUK, the disability network for BAE Systems employees. These are roles that are quite demanding, often involving work which requires intense focus and concentration; and Philip has a debilitating impairment that is invisible.
“In BAE Systems, most people start their career in good health, but a significant number go on to develop conditions and impairments that make work much more difficult. Anyone can be affected - making healthy lifestyle choices does not provide immunity.
“I was diagnosed with ME about 12 years ago after a long period of ill-health. I’m fortunate because I’ve been able to continue working, although it has not been easy. I had a very active lifestyle so having to adjust was a difficult process.
"With this condition there’s no obvious sign that anything is wrong, and it can vary from one day to the next. In fact some days you feel like nothing is wrong until the next relapse knocks you down.
"I have to accept that some bad days are inevitable, and learn as much as possible about how to manage the condition. I have lots of good days too - that sense of achievement after a good day at work makes it worthwhile - that hasn’t changed at all.
“One message that is really important is to encourage people to have the confidence to be open and speak up. So many people struggle because they fear the consequences of having some form of impairment. There needs to be more understanding and more awareness – we are not all perfect – most employees will be affected by disability at some point in their career, either directly or indirectly. Also, don’t underestimate yourself – the skills, knowledge and experience that you bring to your role are still important.”
Getting involved is good, showing support is essential Phillip, Software engineer, BAE Systems Air
Aaron
Aaron is a Software Test Engineer in BAE Systems’ Applied Intelligence business. He’s originally from Bristol and now lives in Gloucester with his wife, 2 children, 2 dogs, 3 cats and gerbils. Aaron was diagnosed as being autistic at the age of 37.
"I've noticed that there has been a really a big push in society to open up, talk and disclose, but people don’t really know how to help and I want to try and help bridge that gap.
"Being diagnosed so late in life has given me a duality of existence between masking (active camouflage) and my real self that doesn't cope as well or understand the world around me. This has allowed me to find ways to help other people, able and non-able to understand another's point of view better.
"Like the old saying goes …. ‘If you've met someone autistic, you've met someone autistic’ …… what each person requires and needs are very different, trying to apply the same actions to everyone never works.”
