Latest news with #Inkfire
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Couple quit 9-to-5 to launch disability-led firm
When Imali Chislett set up a marketing agency in 2018, she never imagined it would turn into an award-winning champion of workplace inclusion. All she knew was, as a wheelchair user and living with chronic illness, the traditional workplace was not for her. Ms Chislett and her husband, Cameron, launched Bournemouth-based Inkfire, which claims to be the UK's first disability-led marketing and tech agency. As part of its services, it has helped more than 200 businesses embed inclusivity into their operations. "I had some really terrible experiences, as did my husband, in the workplace," said Ms Chislett. "We both realised that traditional nine-to-five working didn't suit us. We knew we needed something different and tried to build jobs that worked for us. "In doing that, we had so many positive conversations where people said 'we need this too'. "We didn't fully perceive how far it would get at the beginning but it has developed and morphed into this incredible space that we have now." Last month, Inkfire was named winner of the Inclusive Workplace Experience category at the Disability Smart Awards, hosted by the Business Disability Forum. The award recognises small organisations that value the health and wellbeing of workers and have inclusive practices. Ms Chislett said: "Our entire team have disabilities and chronic illnesses and everybody has lived experience, so we very much bring that knowledge to the table when we approach work. "It's good to show businesses that this is what you can achieve. "Our message is, talk to people with disabilities, find out how you can help. "Don't guess what somebody will need because we are here and more than happy to chat." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Disabled-led orchestra 'proves we are good enough' Inkfire Business Disability Forum
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Couple quit 9 to 5 to launch disability-led marketing firm
When Imali Chislett set up a marketing agency in 2018, she never imagined it would turn into an award-winning champion of workplace she knew was, as a wheelchair user and living with chronic illness, the traditional workplace was not for Chislett and her husband, Cameron, launched Bournemouth-based Inkfire, which claims to be the UK's first disability-led marketing and tech part of its services, it has helped more than 200 businesses embed inclusivity into their operations. "I had some really terrible experiences, as did my husband, in the workplace," said Ms Chislett."We both realised that traditional nine-to-five working didn't suit us. We knew we needed something different and tried to build jobs that worked for us."In doing that, we had so many positive conversations where people said 'we need this too'."We didn't fully perceive how far it would get at the beginning but it has developed and morphed into this incredible space that we have now." Last month, Inkfire was named winner of the Inclusive Workplace Experience category at the Disability Smart Awards, hosted by the Business Disability award recognises small organisations that value the health and wellbeing of workers and have inclusive Chislett said: "Our entire team have disabilities and chronic illnesses and everybody has lived experience, so we very much bring that knowledge to the table when we approach work."It's good to show businesses that this is what you can achieve."Our message is, talk to people with disabilities, find out how you can help."Don't guess what somebody will need because we are here and more than happy to chat." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Metro
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Chris McCausland hails how disabled people 'really are capable of so much more'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland hailed the Scope Awards as proving that the disabled community 'really are capable of so much more than others might think so.' Chris, 47, a winner on the dancing show last year, scooped the gong for Celebrity Role Model at the awards last night. The comedian said: 'It really is an honour to get to represent those of us with a disability on some of the biggest shows on the telly, and to get to show everybody else out there that we really are capable of so much more than others might think so.' The blind comedian from Liverpool is currently on a UK tour and beat other celebrities, including campaigner Sophie Morgan and musician Jordan Stephens, to the award. Chris lost his sight gradually due to a genetic condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa and said last night, 'there really are no limits to what we can do' and joked in his acceptance speech: 'Although I do have somebody else do the driving on this tour, because there have to be some.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The awards at the Kia Oval were hosted by Hollywood actor Adam Pearson, and the winners were a group of attitude-changing individuals trying to create an equal future for disabled people. Among them were Inkfire – the UK's first all disabled graphic design agency set up by husband and wife Imali and Cameron Chislett – won the inclusive workplace award. Trailo – an app that aims to help disabled students with presentation anxiety won the accessible product of the year, and Reverse the Ban York – a group of campaigners who fought for years to lift the permanent ban on blue badge holders parking in York city centre- won the community group award. Accessible Product – Tailo by Estendio – Celebrity Role Model – Chris McCausland Community Group – Reverse the Ban York Journalist – Frances Ryan Frances Inclusive Workplace – Inkfire – Social Media Influencer – Tumi Sotire Media Moment – The Assembly – Purple Pioneer – Steph Blanco Marketing Campaign – Crohn's and Colitis UK The Purple Pioneer award – that honours an individual who has advanced disability equality in their local community – was taken home by Stephanie-Roxanne Blanco. Stephanie is a trustee and vice-chair of FND Dimensions, and aims to develop a network of support groups for people diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorders. MORE: 'My life is a ticking time bomb – I worry about running out of days to make change' 'My life is a ticking time bomb – I worry about running out of days to make change' MORE: 'I was deaf first then Black - now I tell my story on the stage' MORE: 'It's a dark time to be disabled in the UK right now' She champions disability equality across her work and her research, and her TEDx talk about hidden disabilities has changed attitudes. Shani Dhanda, head judge of this year's awards, said they are a 'true celebration of disability equality champions.' She added: 'Each of the nominees is making a huge difference to improve disabled people's lives, remove barriers and transform attitudes. Metro is also the official media partner of 2025 Scope Awards that took place tonight. The ceremony celebrated the work disabled people and organisations are doing to bring about important change. Hosted by the BAFTA-nominated actor Adam Pearson, unsung heroes, amazing achievements and the incredible accolades of the disabled community were all honoured at the Kia Oval. There are 38 nominees for the nine Scope Awards: Accessible Product, Celebrity Role Model, Community Group, Inclusive Workplace, Journalist, Marketing Campaign, Media Moment, Purple Pioneer and Social Media Influencer. 'Our winners demonstrate the tireless work being done to end disability inequality in so many aspects of society – from local community groups to national television stars and social media sensations. More Trending 'It's an especially challenging time to be a disabled person in the UK. 'That makes it more important than ever for our community to come together. To recognise and celebrate those who are striving for an equal future where disabled people can thrive and be authentically themselves.' Lyn Warren, Chief HR Officer at Evri, a sponsor of the awards said: 'It's so inspiring to be in a room full of gamechangers and I am committed to making Evri an amazing place to work for all, where accessibility and opportunity go hand in hand.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
Metro
13-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
The husband and wife who have started the first all disabled company in the UK
There may be 25,000 marketing agencies in the UK, but Inkfire has something that none of the others have. That is because it is the UK's first agency staffed entirely by disabled people. It is all the brainchild of married couple Imali and Cameron Chislett, who have overcome severe illness and setbacks to turn Inkfire into a trailblazing company for work equality. When the pair met by complete chance at a teenage house party, little did they know the health and career challenges they would go through together. First diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, Imali, 24, was rocked by more diagnosis of irritable bowel disease and severe ulcerative colitis. Cameron, 24, on the other hand, was coming to terms with his severe autism and ADHD. Imali told Metro: 'It's an unusual one because we both didn't realise how disabled we were when we met. 'We were actually more disabled than we thought we were.' Just as they had to reckon with this, they had to reckon with a modern work culture which didn't accommodate their needs. 'We were both trying to attend corporate office jobs and trying to fit in. 'But there were all these rules stopping me from doing what I loved. There was counting toilet breaks. 'We were trying to fit in, but we were getting pushed further and further away – it was just not fair. 'I went freelance, but I was sick and tired of trying to find jobs at places,s and there were constantly being hurdles put in the way.' So after years of frustration, that is when Imali and Cameron decided to act. They got together and built Inkfire, which provides marketing, tech, website and virtual assistant services across the globe – but with a twist. Their entire team of 14 people all have a lived experience of disability. But it is not just that they have disabilities, but their unique way of working, so every one of them is included in the workplace. They have remote working options, customised schedules to match individual needs and other personal adaptations for each of their staff. The business has gone from strength to strength. They just won the Disability Smart Award this year and are expanding their offering to clients. Imali said: 'It was never meant to be what it is now, it's taken off more than we thought. 'To be able to have a team that can support each other and can provide the support that is missing in the disabled community and beyond.' 'Our goal is to keep making positive change to be a positive voice and to support ideas from an inclusion and accessibility point of view.' They've been nominated for disability charity Scope's Inclusive Workplace award, celebrating the work the company has done to 'dismantle invisible barriers' and 'drive creativity and innovation.' Metro is also the official media partner of 2025 Scope Awards that will take place next month. The ceremony will celebrate the work disabled people and organisations are doing to bring about important change. Hosted by the BAFTA-nominated actor Adam Pearson, unsung heroes, amazing achievements and the incredible accolades of the disabled community are all being honoured at the Kia Oval. There are 38 nominees for the nine Scope Awards: Accessible Product, Celebrity Role Model, Community Group, Inclusive Workplace, Journalist, Marketing Campaign, Media Moment, Purple Pioneer and Social Media Influencer. The company has gotten so much attention that even their postman knows who they are, but they are not complacent. More Trending 'We always take it one step at a time,' Imali added 'I think with everything, the disabled community has had to learn its progress not perfection. 'It's so empowering to see disabled people in media doing amazing things.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: London bus drivers refuse to put out ramp for disabled boy, 2 MORE: A friend asked a question about disability that stopped me in my tracks MORE: 'ADHD bulldozes every part of your life – why would you make it up?'
