Expertise
Strategic Communication
Internal & external organisational messaging that better connects with, positively engages and retains disabled audiences.
Policy Review & Development
Advising on new policy and reviewing existing policy provision to ensure positive impact on disabled people.
Staff & Learner Engagement
Developing resources & capacity within organisations to better understand disability culture and identity. Empowering staff to engage fearlessly with implications for all. Going beyond ticking the box.
Public Speaking
Passionately engaging for over a decade with audiences of up to 1000+ globally. From C-Suite Execs to the young leaders of tomorrow. Areas of interest: confidence & empowerment, leadership and social, cultural & economic inclusion.
Memberships
British Council - Disability Advisory Panel (2018 - Present)
University of Atypical - Trustee (2019 - 2020), Chairperson (2020 - 2024)
Washington Ireland Program - Forum Fellow (2019 - Present)
European Network On Independent Living - Member ( 2021 - Present)
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement - People with Disabilities Core Advisory Committee (2022 - Present)
Visit Belfast - Ambassadors Circle - Member (2022 - Present)
Inspiring Yarns CIC - Director - (2023 - 2024)
Inspiring Yarns Academy - Director (2024 - Present)
Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 Consultation Group (2024 - Present)
Projects
Talks:
Embrace the Inclusive Spirit: How welcoming disabled visitors makes business sense (Titanic Belfast, 2024)
My Left Foot - Panel : Representation of Disability in Irish Cinema & Beyond (Queen’s Film Theatre, 2023)
“It’s All About the What Next” : In Conversation with an Expert Panel (Boardroom Apprentice, 2023)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Building and Supporting a Diverse Workplace (Arts & Business, Ulster University Business School, 2023)
‘Disability in Northern Ireland: Opportunities & Challenges’ - Byrne, Devlin & Fitzsimons (Queens University Belfast, School of Social Policy, 2022)
Creative Approaches to Equality, Diversity and inclusion (Arts & Business, Ulster University Business School, 2022)
Employment & Disability: Belfast Leading Attitudinal Change (Belfast City Council, 2022)
Gaining, retaining & progressing: disabled people in employment (British Council Azerbaijan, 2021)
Moving from the Margins: Reframing the Conversation on Disability & Employment (British Council Pakistan, 2019)
The Role of Disabled People in Shaping Policy & Practice (Harkin Summit, Washington, 2017)
Research:
Disability Strategy Expert Advisory Panel - Report and Recommendations (Byrne, Fitzsimons, O’Reilly, Flynn 2020)
The Impact of Covid-19 on Disabled People In Northern Ireland (Crawford, O’Neill, Fitzsimons 2020)
Articles & Podcasts:
Moving Beyond CSR: We’re People, Not Plastic Bags (Fitzsimons, Arts & Business, 2022)
From A to B Podcast: Change (Coyle, Fitzsimons, Arts & Business Podcast, 2022)
Garcia’s Book is part ‘love letter’ to a community which has often been misunderstood, isolated and failed (Fitzsimons, View Digital, 2022)
The Good Business Podcast: Closing the Disability Employment Gap ( Steele, Fitzsimons, Queen’s University, 2019)