Roxanne Louise Steel
Nominee Profile
Location: Verwood
Hi I am Rox, an advocate, consultant, and strategist working to make workplaces, media, and society more accessible and inclusive. I was born with Cerebral Palsy and, as I like to say, I “identify as neurodiverse—patent pending.” From birth, I faced barriers for many reasons, but it wasn’t until years later that I realised I wasn’t even aware I was “disabled” until society taught me that.
Even as a child, I was always ready to grab a mic, say my piece, and somehow make people laugh in the process. I don’t know if he knows this, but my dad was the one who taught me that there are no real rules in this world. He raised me as a single step from a young age and showed me that you don’t have to look a certain way to do something or fit into a mould to belong. That belief has shaped everything I do.
I’m passionate about breaking down barriers, shifting mindsets, and making sure inclusion isn’t just a trendy word on a company website. I help organisations create environments where accessibility is a given, not an afterthought. But more importantly, I believe in making these conversations engaging, relatable, and even fun—because let’s be honest, if we’re not connecting with people, we’re not creating change.
A big part of my work is demystifying processes like Access to Work and the Equality Act, helping both disabled people and employers understand what real inclusion looks like. I also use storytelling, media, and a good dose of pop culture references to bring these conversations to life in a way that sticks.
Honestly, I’m still processing the fact that I’ve even been nominated for a National Diversity Award. Imposter syndrome makes me want to say, “Are you sure you meant me?” but knowing that people see value in my work means more than I can put into words. If you’ve taken the time to vote for me or share my profile, thank you. I appreciate you more than you know. Real change doesn’t happen alone—we need each other to make inclusion a reality. Let’s keep pushing together for a world where accessibility isn’t optional, it’s expected
Even as a child, I was always ready to grab a mic, say my piece, and somehow make people laugh in the process. I don’t know if he knows this, but my dad was the one who taught me that there are no real rules in this world. He raised me as a single step from a young age and showed me that you don’t have to look a certain way to do something or fit into a mould to belong. That belief has shaped everything I do.
I’m passionate about breaking down barriers, shifting mindsets, and making sure inclusion isn’t just a trendy word on a company website. I help organisations create environments where accessibility is a given, not an afterthought. But more importantly, I believe in making these conversations engaging, relatable, and even fun—because let’s be honest, if we’re not connecting with people, we’re not creating change.
A big part of my work is demystifying processes like Access to Work and the Equality Act, helping both disabled people and employers understand what real inclusion looks like. I also use storytelling, media, and a good dose of pop culture references to bring these conversations to life in a way that sticks.
Honestly, I’m still processing the fact that I’ve even been nominated for a National Diversity Award. Imposter syndrome makes me want to say, “Are you sure you meant me?” but knowing that people see value in my work means more than I can put into words. If you’ve taken the time to vote for me or share my profile, thank you. I appreciate you more than you know. Real change doesn’t happen alone—we need each other to make inclusion a reality. Let’s keep pushing together for a world where accessibility isn’t optional, it’s expected