Why are disabled individuals still excluded from leadership?

In this episode of The Inclusive Growth Show, Toby Mildon speaks with Pravjoth Gill, a disability advocate and recent HR graduate, whose dissertation explores the misrepresentation of disabled people in leadership roles – and what inclusive HR practices can do to change this.

Pravjoth shares how her lived experience and intersectional identity shaped her research, what the biggest blockers to disabled leadership are, and how internalised ableism and outdated workplace systems continue to hold talent back.

Key takeaways:

• Why disabled leaders are often seen as ‘inspirational’ – and why that’s problematic.
• The real barriers beyond bias: broken systems, lack of adjustments, and inaccessible leadership pipelines.
• What HR can do now: co-creating inclusive training with disabled voices.
• The role of voluntary sectors and what others can learn.
• What the workplace could look like in 10 years if we get inclusion right.

Guest Highlight:

Pravjoth Gill, Associate at CIPD

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