Disability inclusion in the public service

Speakers

• Jonathan Mok

  Eco-System Builder

  Hong Kong

• Helen Jeffries

  Deputy Director

  United Kingdom

• Harj Dhesi

  Head of Operations

  United Kingdom

• Jonathan Mok, a neurodiversity advocate, has shared in reputable local and international events including ReThink HK, TEDxCUHK and Neurodiversity Celebration Week. To raise public awareness of ADHD, Jonathan has served as an organising committee of HK ADHD Awareness Week since 2021. A former education professional, Jonathan now engages in the social innovation sector and is affiliated with Mind HK and Resolve Foundation.

• Helen Jeffries, currently a Senior Civil Servant in the Department of Health and Social Care, previously worked in the Cabinet Office Covid Task Force. Helen was diagnosed autistic five years ago. “I thought then that being autistic was a total barrier to career progression as I couldn’t see any openly autistic senior civil servants. Recent national crises have given me progression opportunities so now I’m attempting to be the open autistic role model I lacked myself. I do that by being an active campaigner in the public sector for more understanding of autism and acceptance of autistic colleagues.” Helen’s aim is that all civil servants should know that they are almost certain to have autistic colleagues, and that all autistic civil servants should feel confident being themselves at work and to that end blogs about her experiences at: https://helenjeffries.wordpress.com/

• Harj Dhesi, a civil servant for over 20 years, has experience spanning across multi-departments. She has covered areas in security, domestic policy and international relations and has served as a mentor for over 10 years.