Trainer / Facilitator

While studying business management at university, Ruben attended 2 years of acting classes to help him gain presentation skills he would need as a business owner.

Ruben had been running a successful business for 11 years when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while riding his motorbike. He spent 5 weeks in a coma and 6 months in hospital before coming home and continuing to run his business from bed. He was almost unable to mobilise for another 2 years, as doctors tried to save his leg. 

In January 2007 it was decided that his leg would require to be amputated.  After the amputation, later that same year, Ruben found love online and sold everything he owned to move to the UK to join the woman who later became his wife.

Looking for a meaningful new career, Ruben enjoyed getting back to what he studied many years back (acting and business management at university) and decided to become a casualty simulation actor and facilitator for the British military. He then took on roles in film and television and even became a radio presenter. Doing investigative work in the media led him to explore the obstacles faced by disabled people.  

He continued to learn about disability equality, the difference between the Social Model of disability and the Medical Model of disability as well as disability legislation and how it can help disabled people.

As well as being columnist with regards to barriers and frustrations of the disabled community for multiple magazines (Able, Step Forward & Disabled Motoring).

Ruben is now an established Disability Equality Trainer with over 16 years lived experience which has given him the knowledge and experience to help advocate for the disabled community. Through this extensive and varied experience he has built a solid foundation of knowledge around disability, the issues & barriers the disabled community face and taking steps to help become a part of the drive for change to make.

Here a few examples of his work:

- Creating and providing training packages around Disability Equality to multiple large companies, including but not limited to; UBER, C2C Rail, Transport for London, London Underground and London Overground. Educating their staff on the Social Model of Disability, current legislation, the right way to assist disabled patrons and the correct language to use when conversing with members of the Disabled Community.

- Most recently he has started Access Auditing, assisting companies in their efforts to become more inclusive to the Disabled Community by explaining the potential barriers they may face when coming into their premises. Including office buildings, construction sites, street and road diversions.

 His experience includes training London Overground front line staff members in disability equality rights, as well as customer services staff, through role play, followed by more extensive training for London Underground staff (4,000 staff members). 

He currently works with Universities, Uber and Transport for London, outlining the intricacies of disability related legislation within the Equalities Act 2010.  Senior managers of different organisations also attend his training sessions, so everybody is involved in making travelling for disabled people more accessible.

Ruben continues to work in film and television but his passion lies in public speaking and delivering disability equality training across the UK.

Training aims:

• Understand where attitudes come from and how they have changed over time

• Highlight the importance and value of the Social Model

• Gain a brief overview of the Equality Act and learn what is expected of service providers in the UK

• Be aware of respectful language and etiquette

• Create a more inclusive environment for staff, clients, volunteers, pupils etc

Training methods:

• PowerPoint presentation

• Group activities

• Quizzes

• Video talk

• Discussions