Public events
You want to see me in action? Then come and see me.
Not all doors are always open to you, but mine usually are.
Saphir Ben Dakon in Zurich
Photographer: Manuel Castellote
Future events
FemFuture Zurich / November 23, 2024
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the Zurich Volkshaus will be transformed into a vibrant center of women's solidarity and empowerment. An exciting program with atelier sessions, performances and lectures awaits the participants. Together with Mandy Abou Shoak and Eva Kaderli, Saphir Ben Dakon will discuss the topic of women's solidarity. The group discussion will be moderated by Marah Rikli.
Further information on the program and registration options can be found on the website of the organizer Frauenzentrale Zürich.
M2ACT × FORUM TANZ - THE ART OF SOLIDARITY - Alliances in the Performing Arts / November 22, 2024
Workshop on how ableism influences our communication
The workshop "Between the lines. How ableism influences our communication" is about drawing the attention of cultural professionals to forms of ableism in words and images. The aim is to empower people to create the most inclusive tenders possible. This is done by raising awareness of structural/social barriers that reproduce and cement discrimination against people with disabilities. Building on this, the influence of discrimination in interpersonal communication is addressed. There will always be room for reflection. With the newly acquired knowledge, we will work as a group on general practical examples of ableism in speech and language.
In a final step, we look at an inclusive tender and record in groups what we notice and discuss target-oriented ways to achieve an inclusive result. We will also reflect on how our own thought process can be constantly questioned using a checklist and how inclusive language can be incorporated into our daily work.
The workshop will take place in Biel. Further information can be found here.
Already taken place
CerAdult conference / November 16, 2024
Can I find my way around? Spatial orientation in everyday life
Orientation is important for all of us, on different levels and in different situations. Sometimes we have it. Sometimes we search for it. Not least in connection with cerebral palsy or other disabilities, orientation can be challenging. Do you know this? Do you also have (occasional) orientation difficulties?
That's why empowerment is important for people with disabilities, says Saphir Ben Dakon. She puts her words into action and provides input on the topic of orientation at the symposium. She is a communication and inclusion expert from Zurich and is also active as a peer coach. In this role, she talks and reflects together with the participants. Orientation requires self-empowerment and the
the framework to get to know and communicate your own concerns.
Impulse event Okaj Zurich / November 14, 2024
Participation of children and young people in the context of migrantization and ableism
This year, the cantomale Kinder- und Jugendförderung Zürich is organizing impulse events on the topic of participation. The final focus is dedicated to the opportunities for children and young people who are affected by migrantization and/or ableism.
As part of the event, Saphir will give a keynote speech on the topic of "The impact of ableism on the life biography of
people with disabilities". In the afternoon, she will moderate a panel on "Talking about the realities of life with disabilities".
The event is aimed at members of the authorities, child and youth representatives, specialists in child and youth promotion as well as open and church-based child and youth work.
Shaping and successfully implementing inclusive diversity / October 29, 2024
Workshop day "Inclusive diversity"
The University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland is organizing a workshop on "Inclusive Diversity" with the aim of supporting companies on their way to becoming inclusive organizations. As part of this workshop, Saphir Ben Dakon will give an input on disabilities in the organizational environment.
What to expect in the workshop
In this workshop, you will learn the basics of inclusive diversity and how to recognize and reduce unconscious bias. Unconscious biases affect us all. They are deeply rooted in our thinking and often influence our actions unnoticed. However, this "pigeonholing" can lead to wrong decisions and make equal opportunities more difficult, for example in recruitment and promotion processes.
Through interactive exercises and methods, you will work out how inclusive diversity can be implemented in practice in your organization. In this way, you will create a working environment in which all employees can contribute and develop.
11th National Arcadis Conference / September 05, 2024
"Who's in charge here? Participation of people with high support needs
At the 11th Arkadis National Symposium, participants will address the question: "Who is in charge here? Participation of people with high support needs.
In her presentation, Saphir Ben Dakon critically scrutinizes the question from the perspective of self-affectedness and explains how communication has a direct influence on power structures in a contractual relationship and can ultimately help to cement them. She also addresses the topic of ableism in the context of leadership care and explains how self-determination, independence and inclusion are interconnected.
Successful reintegration / June 12, 2024
Discussion of research results with two activists for the equality of people with disabilities
The results of the project "Partial and reintegration as an individual case?" by Federica Hofer, project manager at the Institute for Diversity and Inclusive Education at the Lucerne University of Teacher Education, will be presented. The focus is on conditions for success and barriers in reintegration processes. The results will be critically discussed with two activists for the equality of people with disabilities - Saphir Ben Dakon and Jahn Graf. Saphir Ben Dakon is a transformation manager and communication and inclusion expert. Jahn Graf is a presenter and podcaster. Both are committed to equality for people with disabilities. At the event, they will contribute their perspectives on the project results as former pupils with special educational needs who have received inclusive and separate education.
If you are a parent of a child with special educational needs, a (prospective) teacher, a special needs teacher, a school principal or an activist for the equality of people with disabilities and/or interested in the topic of reintegration, then take part in our campaign!
The public is also cordially invited to ask questions on the topic of reintegration or the transition from special school to mainstream school. There will be opportunities to exchange ideas and network at the drinks reception afterwards.
Saphir as a guest at Sebit Aargau / June 07, 2024
Speech on the UN CRPD
At the Sebit Aargau summer party, Saphir Ben Dakon will give a speech on the status of the UN CRPD in Switzerland. The speech will begin at around 19:00. Participation in the summer party is free of charge.
Providing Digital Accessibility - Task, Implementation, Expectations / June 06, 2024
Panel discussion as part of the Disability Rights Action Days organized by Zukunft Inklusion
In a panel discussion, the participants will explain the options for meeting all requirements. The subsequent drinks reception will provide an opportunity for lively discussions and networking.
Accessibility can be challenging: In app and web projects, there are many demands that all need to be reconciled. We focus on these different perspectives and needs. The wishes and requirements of the client, the challenges of development and technology and the needs of the users all have their place. Can all these aspects be brought together?
In addition to Saphir Ben Dakon, Arnold Goran from the Apple School, Roland Jaggi, Project Manager ETH Tours App, Esther Buchmueller, Head of the Competence Center for Accessibility and Inclusion at SBB, Stefan Reinhard, Bitforge and Pascal Hostettler, Bitfore will also be represented on the podium.
The event will be moderated by Helena Trachsel. She will shed light on how we deal with the tasks, implementations and expectations in digital accessibility.
Guide "Migration and Disability" / May 31, 2024
Discussion on self-determination and equal opportunities for people with disabilities and migrant backgrounds
As part of the Future Inclusion Action Days, we would also like to draw attention to the topic of intersectionality. To this end, the Parandalo Center is organizing various events on the topic of migration and disability.
Parandalo is the competence center for advice, support, information and mediation for people with a migration background.
This expertise will soon be available in writing in the form of a guide that makes Parandalo's experience and expertise available to other agencies.
Valdete Hoti, coordinator of the Parandalo Center, and Saphir Ben Dakon discuss self-determination and equal opportunities for people with disabilities and migrant backgrounds. They will be asking the following question: How can we ensure that people with a migration background and disabilities are aware of their rights and fulfill their obligations?
Come and find out on Thursday, May 31, 2024, 18:30-20:30 at GZ Oerlikon, Gubelstrasse 10, 8050 Zurich.
SEBE launch: Stakeholders in dialog / May 30, 2024
A campaign as part of the Disability Rights Action Days 2024
Saphir Ben Dakon is organizing and moderating a panel discussion on the new self-determination law in the canton of Zurich together with the canton of Zurich, SEBE clarification office. The aim of the discussion is to bring all those affected into a dialog.
Together with you, the audience, we would like to discuss the SEBE launch. What does self-determination and participation mean in everyday life? What opportunities does SEBE offer? How should SEBE develop further? To this end, we are inviting people with different opinions on SEBE. The social welfare office and the SEBE clarification office will also be represented.
Accessibility:
- Barrier-free access
- Barrier-free toilets
- Simple language
- Sign language
- Hearing system
- Descriptive moderation
Inclusion Action Day in Kloten / May 25, 2024
Speech on the UN CRPD
The city of Kloten is home to around 22,000 people from over 120 different nations. These include young and old people with and without disabilities.
Together with various partners, the city shows how important it is to include everyone and what services are available in Kloten. At 1 p.m., City Councillor Regula Kaeser-Stöckli welcomes people to the town square.
This will be followed by a presentation by transformation manager, communications and inclusion expert Saphir Ben Dakon, who will explain the importance of the UN CRPD in relation to inclusion and highlight the role of municipalities and the civilian population.
Bernhard Krauss, Head of the Disability Rights Coordination Office of the Canton of Zurich, will also give a presentation. Visitors can learn more about inclusion and experience a change of perspective at various stands.
InkluVision: Shaping the future together / May 23, 2024
A campaign as part of the Disability Rights Action Days 2024
On May 23, the Debattierhaus Karl der Grosse in Zurich will open the festival "InkluVision: Shaping the future together", which is taking place as part of the National Disability Rights Action Days. Over the course of three days, the Debattierhaus will focus on the topic of inclusion and Article 8 of the UN CRPD, which aims to raise awareness throughout society. The focus will be on the areas of work, family and leisure.
A panel discussion on the topic of inclusion in Switzerland will take place on the opening evening. Saphir Ben Dakon will take part as a guest.
Strengthening networks, enabling inclusive education / March 20, 2024
A solution in times of skills shortages?
Saphir Ben Dakon will give an input presentation on "Overcoming systemic obstacles - the influence of ableism on educational biographies and career choices" at the Integras conference on special needs education.
The aim of the presentation is to find answers to the following questions:
- How does the discourse surrounding the skills shortage affect children and young people with disabilities and their educational biographies?
- What systemic obstacles exist for people with disabilities in the education and labor market?
- How can networks support education professionals and how should such networks be structured?
There will also be a panel discussion on the topic of "Strengthening networks in times of skills shortages" with Saphir Ben Dakon as one of the guests.
Location: Eventfabrik Bern Service AG
Von Roll, Fabrikstrasse 12, 3012 Bern
