The BDF Technology Task Force film festival by MyPlus

Windsor, UK – 19 July, 2017

MyPlus Students’ Club, which connects disabled students with employers who value talent, had the privilege of participating in the Business Disability Forum (BDF) Technology Taskforce film festival. Last month MyPlus Students’ Club attended the festival to see the films produced by the three finalists. The BDF asked aspiring student and graduate filmmakers across the UK to create a film responding to the question: “Business, technology, disability: how does technology showcase disabled talent?” The challenge was that they had to create the film within 72 hours.

The goal of the film festival was to promote discussion about whether employers are prepared to harness the pool of talent that makes up disabled students. It also recognised the next generation of disabled students that are approaching the world of work with fresh ideas, perspectives and expectations.

William Horsefield and Samuel Ash from the University of Wolverhampton won first place for their film ‘Big Day’ in which they explore how mobile technologies can bridge the communication gap between a deaf candidate and his employer in an interview, as well as in the workplace. Disability is no barrier to the main character’s success at work as he draws upon his experience with disability to develop a new assistive app to convert sign language to text on his phone.

William who aspires to be a director in the future said, “My friend found out about the BDF 72-hour film challenge through the MyPlus Students’ Club Twitter page and encouraged me to join. Without my friend or MyPlus Students’ Club, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to participate in the competition and get to meet so many disability-confident organisations. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more events like this next year!”

Helen Cooke, CEO and Founder of MyPlus Students’ Club, said “We are so pleased that the winners found out about the festival through us. The goal of MyPlus Students’ Club is to provide students with opportunities to meet employers who will appreciate and support the talents that disabled students and graduates have to offer. We hope to continue to motivate students to be confident about achieving their aspirations.”

About MyPlus Students’ Club

MyPlus Students’ Club provides students with advice, support and confidence to find opportunities, approach relevant organisations and go on to realise possibilities with progressive employers. Their vision is to ensure that having a disability or long-term health condition shouldn’t prevent anyone from having the career that they want to have. They want disabled individuals to realise their career ambitions and employers to benefit from the unique talents and strengths that disabled individuals can, and do, bring to an organisation.