keithmckenzie

Specialised study on ambition

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:56:35 GMT

I have participated in a four-month educational study focusing on ambition and potential opportunities for enterprise.

The course was delivered by Hatch Enterprise, a London-based charity that provides courses for people with disabilities and those who are neurodiverse. It was created in collaboration with Linklaters and The Finding Circle

The course was called “Get Ready to Start” and focused on exploring key factors in business, along with essential information for starting a business. This included customer engagement, the one-page plan, finance, pitching, and more.

My tasks.

As part of the course, I was required to develop a summary information document. This involved creating a bite-sized version of a business plan, known as the " One-page plan ".
Due to the multi-purpose nature of my enterprise proposal, Aware+Vision, I have also developed a series of multi-page documents, including a “ Summary Plan ”. This was divided into sections: Awareness, Creative, and Dancing, each containing key information such as target audience, short-term objectives, and value proposition.
For the conclusion of the course, I was required to deliver a two-minute pitch presentation, including the development of presentation slides.

Special Landing Webpage

To encourage audience follow-up after a presentation, I created a special landing page with a QR code linking directly to online resources.
This webpage contains documents that the audience can download and browse at their own leisure. These include the presentation slides used for pitching, the collection of documents linked to the one-page plan, and additional supporting documents that provide more detailed information beyond the presentation slides.
The special landing page is exclusively for staff and team members of Hatch Enterprise, Linklaters, and The Finding Circle..

How the Course Will Influence my Approach

The course will enable me to fine-tune aspects of my approach and development.
I have already made progress in developing interactive digital touchpoints on tablet devices, including portfolio and showcase documents that demonstrate examples of my work. These documents can be adapted depending on the background and industry of the individual I am engaging with.
Therefore, while the core digital documents I use for networking and meetings will remain consistent, I plan to redevelop my pitching slides for more focused meetings, such as fundraising, potential investor discussions, and proposals for collaboration or partnership.

The structured communication approach for pitching can be applied in a variety of ways. Firstly, it is useful when meeting people at networking events, particularly influential individuals. Additionally, the same structure can be adapted for social media in video format to inform, announce, or promote a project or development.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the entire team who developed and delivered this course, along with the volunteers and my fellow participants, who are known as founders.

This article is linked with Special Developments.

Click on the link below to find out more

Visit the Aware+Vision website with a aummary of a social enterprise proposal

Click on the link below to find out more

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).
© Copyright Keith Mckenzie.

My dancing barriers by perception

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 23:07:40 GMT

Through my personal experences and perspectives, some examples of how barriers and challenge occurs when dancing envionments are not inclsuive or accomodating

Since the global pandemic, I have repeatedly observed (and personally experienced) a noticeable rise in impatience and intolerance across Latin dance environments. What should be spaces of connection and expression are, at times, becoming
spaces where people are judged too quickly and supported too little.
At the heart of this issue is perception.

Perception

Perception creates barriers. It shapes expectations (often unrealistic ones) placed on dancers who face specific challenges. If a dancer does not appear confident at all times, and does not mask how their difficulties affect their learning or social dancing, they risk being sidelined, excluded, and made to feel as though they do not belong.
This is not a rare occurrence. It has been a consistent reality for me over the past fours years since returning to dance after the pandemic.
Because of this, I have had to put strict personal boundaries in place, not to limit myself, but to protect my ability to participate at all.

For example, apart from a few exceptions I no longer attend classes during party events or evening sessions at conventions. This is not a casual choice, it is a response to repeated negative experiences. In fast-paced or non-accommodating classes, I have been subjected to verbal ableist insults. One particularly difficult incident occurred on New Year’s Eve. When I reported the discrimination, the teachers present dismissed it, claiming they had not noticed anything.

The side-effects after classes

The impact did not end in the classes. It carried into the social space. I was left feeling discredited, alienated, and marginalised. In an environment where men are typically expected to invite women to dance, I faced repeated rejection. I was socially sidelined, unable to engage, and ultimately forced to leave the event early.
This pattern has repeated itself too many times, including during what should be celebratory occasions. As a result, I now avoid these settings altogether. But this comes at a cost: I miss out on opportunities to connect with others naturally, without the added pressure that social dance environments often bring.

Attitudes during classes when challenging

The difficulties I live with has often misinterpreted as a lack of effort or dismissed as “lack of confidence”. As a result, dancers (including those with additional challenges) may be unfairly labelled as a liability and made to feel invisible or unwelcome.

This is something I have personally experienced. While attending a three-hour dance workshop, I was only able to participate for two hours. Afterwards, I felt socially alienated by other attendees once the workshop had ended. One individual,
who had noticed that I was struggling, appeared to take advantage of the situation by deliberately attempting to marginalise me socially. For example, they would engage briefly with someone I was speaking to and then lead them away within moments of the conversation beginning.

Being selective

I have also had to become highly selective about the classes and workshops I attend. The attitude and teaching style of the instructor matters greatly. Without patience and adaptability, the environment can quickly become unwelcoming.

Elsewhere in the article I have explined how I have been made to feel like a burden, particularly when others perceive that my learning pace affects them. This has led to hostility, disrespect, and the need to withdraw from classes.
Yet even that decision is judged, leaving classes to manage my learning or well-being is often misinterpreted as a lack of effort or confidence. These assumptions follow me into social dancing, where I have experienced rejection based not on reality, but on perception.
The result is a familiar and isolating scene: standing alone near the dance floor, discouraged, feeling like an outsider in a space where I should feel included.

At a recent event, I made the difficult decision to significantly reduce my participation. I chose not to stay overnight, as prolonged isolation only intensified the social challenges I was already facing. I also avoided the New Year’s Eve party entirely (despite the fact that I continued to attend the event but outside the New Year's eve party) .

The scale of the crowd and the lack of patience in that environment had previously left me feeling so excluded that stepping away became the healthier choice.
This was not about giving up. It was about choosing self-respect over silent endurance. My well-being and self-worth must come first, even if that means missing out.

Judge & Jury disrespect

Another major barrier within dance spaces is the tendency towards quick judgement and perfection-driven expectations. I have experienced this directly. On one occasion, a dance partner criticised my leading when, in reality, they were not following correctly. At a later event, the same individual ignored me entirely while socialising with a mutual friend, subtly but clearly reinforcing exclusion.

Even seemingly small actions can have a significant impact. For instance, when classes are filmed, it disrupts how I learn. At times, I need to step away. When I try to explain this briefly and respectfully, it is not always met with understanding. On one occasion, I was spoken to in a patronising and hostile manner, as though I were a child. I left the class immediately, deeply upset.

What makes these situations more difficult is the lack of opportunity to correct misunderstandings. When I step away, others often fill the gap with assumptions which can lead to further exclusion and marginalisation.

What needs to change

The dance community must move away from “judge and jury” attitudes. Quick assumptions and surface-level perceptions cause real harm. Misunderstanding how a person copes and manages their behaviour is never a justification for disrespect.

See the person beyond your initial perception (ask rather than judge). Become more supportive and encouraging, and reach out across social divisions. These are just some of the factors the dance community needs to consider; otherwise, we risk losing a vibrant dancing environment. A connected and respectful dancing environment is far more sensible than a divisive “them and us” mindset.

It’s time for everyone to start making a positive change, no excuses.

Useful Links

Embrace Dancing
The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications.

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature below

 Also available on the Plus Value Awareness Website

Embrace Dancing is developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).
© Copyright Keith Mckenzie

My Dancing Navigations

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 22:22:16 GMT

Through my personal experences and perspective how I navigate the dancing envionments as a neurodivergent latin dancer

Dance can be a powerful source of fulfilment. It brings energy, connection, and a sense of achievement. But when learning and social dancing go beyond what is manageable, the experience can quickly become overwhelming, with very real negative consequences.

Through my own experiences, I’ve come to recognise something important: many dancers simply do not see (or fully understand) the challenges that people like me face. Nor do they always recognise the expectations placed on me or other dancers with neurodiversity, invisible disabilities or with anxiety in learning environments and on the social dance floor.

My Examples of Steps

This blog sets out the practical steps I take to protect both my progress and my presence in dance spaces.

1. Knowing when a space is right and when it isn’t
Every class or workshop is a risk. There is no guarantee of patience, understanding, or accommodation for different abilities. I have had to become highly aware of which environments allow me to learn authentically and which may harm my well-being or reputation. I also set firm boundaries: if my well-being is compromised, I leave. Protecting myself is not optional, it is necessary.

2. Treating learning as a disciplined process
Improvement does not end when the class finishes. I rely on structured routines, including detailed note-taking on digital devices. Without this, even reviewing video recordings becomes less effective, and applying what I’ve learned in social settings becomes significantly harder.

3. Building a usable dance framework
I don’t just learn individual moves, I construct a “family” of patterns from class material and recordings. This allows me to adapt, recall, and respond more effectively in real dance situations, rather than feeling lost or reactive.

4. The importance of detail and the risks of missing it
As a visual learner, precision matters. I need to understand exactly how movements work. Without that clarity, I cannot safely or confidently expand my dancing. The consequences are real: mistakes can lead not only to embarrassment, but also to accidents with partners and damage to my credibility. Fast-paced teaching or a lack of detailed breakdowns can make this significantly harder.

5. The hidden pressure of social dancing
Social events are not as simple as they appear. It takes time for me to feel ready to dance. There is also an unspoken expectation (particularly for male leaders) to demonstrate variety and confidence. Starting too soon, without enough preparation, risks being judged as limited or unengaging. That perception can be difficult to undo.

6. The unseen work behind participation
What others may see as a hobby requires extensive preparation for me. I practise alone, review notes and recordings, and reflect on my social interactions. Without this effort, I risk exclusion, negative judgement, and the visible effects of anxiety. Preparation is not about perfection, it is about being able to participate at all.

But this raises a bigger issue.
The burden of navigating these challenges should not fall solely on dancers like me, nor on others with neurodiversity, invisible disabilities, or anxiety.
A healthy dance environment is a shared responsibility.
Teachers, assistants, and organisers must create spaces that are genuinely inclusive through clear instruction, patience, and flexibility. Fellow dancers also play a role. Support should not stop at the end of a class, it should continue through encouragement, practice, and connection beyond it.
A dance class is not a competition, It is a community. In any real community, people look out for one another.

This means:
Making sure no one is left behind
Offering help without judgement
Avoiding behaviour that creates pressure, exclusion, or discomfort
It also means challenging harmful behaviour.

Disrespectful or ableist remarks should never be ignored. Likewise, patronising phrases like “just rise above it” do not help, they dismiss real challenges and can cause lasting harm.

If dance spaces are to grow, they must evolve.
Inclusivity is not optional. It is not something reserved for the majority. Even if dancers with additional needs are in the minority, their experience matters just as much. Every dancer deserves to feel valued, supported, and able to participate fully.

Because at its best, dance is not just about movement.
It is about connection, understanding, and making space for everyone on the floor.

Useful links

Embrace Dancing
The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications.

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature below

Also available on the Plus Value Awareness Website

Embrace Dancing is developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Notice to Editors

The importance of respect & connections in dancing

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:13:33 GMT

Everyone should be able to learn and excel in dancing without pressure or shaming.

Dancing is an expressive and therapeutic art form. This can only happen if all dancers, from all backgrounds and abilities, are valued, supported, and respected. It also means taking responsibility to challenge attitudes and respond appropriately when difficult situations arise.

Background
From my observations since the worldwide pandemic, levels of patience and tolerance have declined (and, in some cases, disappeared entirely). I have witnessed the negative effects of this in certain dancing environments, including an increase in competitiveness and judgement in both dancing and social interactions.

Experience and Observations
Sadly, I have both witnessed and personally experienced judgement. This creates an environment where dancers (including those with specific difficulties) struggle to navigate learning, social events, and festivals without feeling divided
or disrespected.

I have also observed that during classes, parties, and social dancing, individuals whose learning or participation is affected by personal challenges are often wrongly judged. Their difficulties may be misinterpreted as a lack of effort
or dismissed as “lack of confidence”. As a result, dancers (including those with additional challenges) may be unfairly labelled as a liability and made to feel invisible or unwelcome.

Consiquences
If we continue to create pressure and division through competitiveness and negative perceptions, certain dance environments will become inaccessible to dancers with neurodiversity, disabilities, or anxiety.
The burden should not fall on dancers with specific difficulties. Everyone has a role to play in changing attitudes and intervening when necessary. This includes discouraging and addressing unfair or disrespectful behaviour. No one is perfect, but there is no justification for acting as judge and jury based on unrealistic expectations without first seeking to understand another person.

Final Points
The only way to ensure a positive dancing experience for everyone is to stop using ableist assumptions and personal perceptions as excuses to disrespect, exclude, or divide dancers of varying abilities.
This means keeping an open mind, thinking before judging, and showing respect for each person’s circumstances (whether or not those challenges have been disclosed).

It is time to build respectful connections without pressure or exclusion. Everyone must take responsibility for creating a more inclusive and supportive dance environment.

Written by Keith Mckenzie
For Plus Value Awareness & Embrace Dancing

Discover more about me.

Useful Links

Embrace Dancing
The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications.

Embrace Dancing is developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature below

Also available on the Plus Value Awareness Website

Embrace Dancing is developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Notice to editors

Naidex 2026 - The Highlights

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:55:27 GMT

For the third time, I attended the national disability expo known as Naidex, which took place at Birmingham’s NEC.
The event is a combination of live presentation talks, panel discussions, exhibitions, and demonstrations showcasing products and developments in accessibility.

 Panel Discussions

Panel discussion featuring Nick Singh from IKEA, Millie Flemington-Claire from Human Beauty, Hannah Tantush from Introum, and previous Naidex guest Amy Pohl, a content creator and activist.

Panel discussion featuring Jessica Schibli, Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC; Luke Sepahin, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Sky Original Programming at Sky UK; Nicole Steven, Creative Diversity Disability Project Manager at Channel 4; and Sam Tatlow, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ITV.

I had a very brief glimpse of a panel discussion From Sketch to Wardrobe: Designing an Accessible Retail Experience.
Speakers included Nick Singh from IKEA, Millie Flemington-Claire from Human Beauty, Hannah Tantush from Introum, and previous Naidex guest Amy Pohl, a content creator and activist.
During my brief attendance, some of the issues addressed included discrimination and how artificial intelligence is driving positive developments in inclusivity.

These panel discussions were running at the same time as a presentation by Michelle Owens CBE (details later in this article).

I began day two of the event by attending The Power of Presence: Delivering True Representation On and Off the Screen. The discussion included voices from some of the leading representatives in diversity and inclusion in UK television.
The panellists included: Jessica Schibli, Head of Creative Diversity at the BBC; Luke Sepahin, Head of Diversity and Inclusion for Sky Original Programming at Sky UK; Nicole Steven, Creative Diversity Disability Project Manager at Channel 4; and Sam Tatlow, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ITV.

During the discussion, they shared examples of initiatives aimed at improving on-screen and off-screen representation of disability. They addressed matters including the importance of integrated representation, authenticity, and lived experience.

Unfortunately, I was unable to ask a question during the Q&A session. However, I did have the opportunity to ask the following question separately:
"What can be done to ensure a balanced perspective, particularly in news, documentaries, and current affairs, when high-profile figures make inaccurate generalisations?".
Most of the panelists agreed with the point I raised.

Cecilia Carter-Aris (Disabled by Society) and Jenny Victory, Governor of Gibraltar, addressed the importance of disabled representation in politics. They discussed issues such as the lack of representation and visibility, and emphasised that one person cannot represent the lived experiences of all disabilities. They also highlighted how difficult it is to develop balanced policies without diverse perspectives.

Through my awareness project, there is a growing number of neurodivergent women being formally diagnosed. My attendance at Naidex concluded with This Is Us: Generations of Women Struggling to Obtain a Diagnosis. Guests included Joyce Coomber Sewell from Coomber Sewell Training CIC, Pamela Aculey from Just Like Me and MIXED Reality, and Sammi Ford from her organisation of the same name.

Presenation talks

Michelle Owens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain

Sir Stephen Timms MP, The Minister for Social Security and Disability

Michelle Owens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, spoke about her experiences as a neurodivergent individual. She discussed boundaries and shared suggestions on how inclusivity can be improved. These included universal design, better standards, improved communication, and greater openness to accommodate differences. This can help remove barriers and discourage masking.
Michelle also addressed biases that can disadvantage neurodivergent individuals, while highlighting that artificial intelligence could be a transformative development.

The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, delivered a brief speech on his department’s developments. He introduced a new consultation and discussed a call for evidence on the review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This follows the government being voted against on the reform bill in late 2025. The “Timms Review” consultation on Personal Independence Payment will last for 28 days.

A breif listen

I had a breif listen to conversations and panel discussions including Dr. Mark Fosbrook
Disability Inclusion Manager of the West Midlands Combined Authority hosted the discussion Impact and Loneliness: The Importance of Community with Nabila Gardner
Director of Ways for Wellbeing UK, Sammy Ahmed from Deaf World, Steve Keith a Volunteer Birmingham and Black Country from Sight Loss Council .

Also I watch an interview with Jodie Ounsley

Networking & people I have met

Posing with Nicole Steven Creative Diversity Disability Project Manager at Channel 4

Posing with Ed James Propositions Manager at Lloyds Banking Group.

Posing with Jodie Ounsley, Athlete, former rugby player, and cast member of the current version of the TV series Gladiators.

At the event, I met a variety of people from different backgrounds, including exhibition teams and guests.
It was great to see Ed James, Propositions Manager at Lloyds Banking Group. I also met several people at the National Rail stand, including representatives from Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry Trains, and London North Eastern Railway (LNER). From ITV plc, I met Beth Matthews, Access Coordinator at ITV Studios.

Last year, I wrote an article on ableist behaviour relating to the use of sunflower lanyards. I had the opportunity to speak with the team at Hidden Disabilities, the organisation behind the lanyard scheme, including Chantal Boyce, Head of Communications.
(See my original article on wearing lanyards.)

I also met representatives from retailers Primark and Currys.
I had a brief chat with Jodie Ounsley, athlete, former rugby player, and cast member of the current version of the TV series Gladiators.
I also met additional people from previous events.

Conclusion

This year’s attendance at Naidex was my busiest yet, and I networked with more people and organisations than in previous years. There are potentially further opportunities that may arise from attending.

This article is linked with

 Notice to editors

A special neurodiversity workplace event

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:23:15 GMT

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week, I attended a special workplace awareness event organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Located at West Bromwich Town Hall and Library, the event, titled “Understanding and Celebrating Differing Minds: Neurodiversity in the Workplace and You”, explored different ways we can embrace neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. It combined presentation talks, live poetry, and an interactive workshop.

Val Clarke, Director of 4PS by Hilti UK, took part in the foundation level of the Thrive at Work programme and received a bronze accreditation. She spoke about the history and development of the programme and presented examples of creating an inclusive and accommodating working environment. This included exploring how workplace practices have evolved over time and the impact of organisational change. She highlighted that many businesses employ neurodivergent individuals and emphasised the importance of strong foundational policies. Her organisation has developed initiatives to further improve inclusivity, including reasonable adjustments and the introduction of quiet spaces.

Siphi Eric Ndlovu, an influencer and poet, and a former Poet Laureate and Disability Access Arts Champion, delivered a powerful session combining poetry, lecture, and interactive participation. He encouraged audience engagement through warm-up activities, including standing, hand movements, and interactive singing.
Siphi explained how music and musicality have been a source of freedom for him, helping him to overcome the challenges of a speech impairment in his youth. He reflected on the barriers he has faced, including a lack of support from some employers, while emphasising that everyone is different and unique. During his session, Siphi presented two pieces combining video and live poetry. The first focused on how dance can help break a mindset of chaos and included video footage of Birmingham. His second presentation, titled “Recode”, explored his experiences of dyslexia.

The event continued with a panel discussion featuring Alice Hargreaves, Chief Executive of SIC; Laura Bladon, Regional Lead at DFN Project SEARCH; and Carolyn Smith, Managing Director of TPSquared, a creative agency.
The discussion explored key themes such as recognising strengths and attributes, the importance of thinking beyond conventional approaches, examples of reasonable adjustments, and how many effective solutions can be implemented at little or no cost.

Later, the event concluded with an interactive workshop, where participants were divided into different groups. I focused on creative solutions, working with Carolyn Smith, Managing Director of TPSquared.

This article is linked with Active

 Notice to articles

My second visit to The Photography & Video Show

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 22:41:43 GMT

For the second time, I attended the event Photography and Video Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

Image capture from a mobile video

It was a great opportunity to explore the latest in photography and filmmaking, as well as to learn best practices from influencers and content creators.

Workshops

Some of the workshops featured speakers including Mike Will, Teja Lisjak and Zoe Jiljemark.

One session was a joint workshop discussion between content creators Mike Will and Teja Lisjak. Both shared tips and guidance on improving opportunities based on their experiences. This included building a portfolio, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and tailoring your development towards what you aim to achieve in order to gain potential clients. They also emphasised the importance of being authentic and clear about what you offer to clients, as well as building relationships beyond the initial contact.

Zoe Jiljemark, CEO of her PR and marketing business for photographers, discussed different factors involved in gaining recognition. She explained how PR activities can help build credibility and respect, but stressed that building trust is more important than website traffic or reliance on social media. She also highlighted how registering to be featured in artificial intelligence platforms is becoming essential for boosting recognition.
I asked a question about the options available for those without a large budget who may not have the finances to hire a PR expert. Zoe mentioned that hiring an expert is not always necessary, as there are accessible PR tools that anyone can use.

Meeting People

Posing with Zoe Jiljemark, CEO of her PR and marketing business

Meeting with Gavin Howey and his model, Chloe.

Posting with Model Alexa Taylor

Posting with Model & professional dancer Beth at the Adobe stand

Posting with Model Kristina at the Adobe stand

Posting with photographer and content creator Khandie

During my attendance, I met and networked with many people. As well as having conversations with other attendees, I met several participants involved in the event, including photographers, influencers, models, and representatives from studio equipment, camera, and video technology companies.
I had a brief chat with Zoe Jiljemark after her presentation on the importance of PR activity.
It was also great to catch up with photographer and influencer Gavin Howey and his model, Chloe.

I met more models during this year’s event, including Alexa Taylor from one of the photographer's stands, who was participating at the NEC version of the Photography and Video Show for the first time (the event takes place in London every other year).

At the Adobe stand, I met two promotional models, including Kristina, who had travelled all the way from Norway for Adobe and the Photography and Video Show. Throughout the event, she wore themed costumes.
I also met another model, Beth, at the Adobe stand, who was posing as a professional footballer linked to Adobe’s promotion of the Women’s FA Cup tournament. During our conversation, she mentioned that she is also a professional dancer, and I told her about my inclusive dancing initiative, Embrace Dancing.

I also had a brief conversation with Khandie, a photographer and content creator. She mentioned that she teaches neurodivergent young people, and we discussed my awareness projects.

Inspiring neurodivergent People

Attending this year’s Photography and Video Show coincided with the annual awareness event, Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

Peter Treadway, a content creator on YouTube and a professional cyclist, shared his experiences of living with ADHD.

For the second time, I met Lattie Lovett-Dunn, a model, broadcaster, and influencer, who told me she lives with dyslexia after we discussed my awareness work.

Meeting with Photographer & contgent creator Peter Treadway

Posing with Model, broadcaster and Influncer Lattie Lovett-Dunn

Both inspiring people agreed to be part of my Plus Value Awareness project, Achievers, which celebrates neurodivergent achievers and role models.

You can find out more by visiting the Achievers project on the Plus Value Awareness website.

 Conclusion

The majority of the event’s participants made me feel extremely welcome, and it was a great experience discovering such inspiring people.

This article is linked with Active

Notice to editors

Transport accessibility Summit

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:36:05 GMT

A special summit in Wolverhampton was held to support the development of a connected and sustainable public transport system for people with disabilities and specific difficulties.

The event, “Journeys for Everyone”, organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority and Transport for West Midlands, is part of the West Midlands Mayor’s inclusive strategy. It took place in the Stan Cullis Suite at Molineux Stadium, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.

The event combined presentations, panel discussions and workshops. It was hosted by Louise Connop from the Thomas Pocklington Trust and Senior Development Manager at the Sight Loss Councils.
She emphasised that everybody is different, with varying needs and adjustments, and highlighted the importance of working together collaboratively.

Sandeep Shingadia made one of his first major appearances as the new Executive Director at Transport for West Midlands, delivering the welcome speech.
He spoke about the importance of delivering “Journeys for Everyone”, making the region the best place to work and visit, and ensuring people can travel with confidence.
He also outlined several transport achievements and future plans, including bus franchising in the West Midlands, safer travel initiatives, and the Skills Academy.
He concluded that accessibility is not an addition, but a fundamental requirement for success in creating a fairer and more inclusive society.

Emma Cartlow from the National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) presented examples of accessibility barriers and the changes needed to make meaningful progress. She highlighted the importance of enabling passengers to travel with dignity and removing barriers throughout the transport system.
Emma also discussed the organisation’s development over its first three years and outlined future plans, including co-producing a toolkit that can be widely adopted, strengthening relationships, and improving education and training for transport professionals.

Sammy Amead, Youth Officer at Deaf World, addressed the challenges faced by deaf people when using transport, as well as future developments. These included ideas such as a digital app to support learning for deaf drivers.

Michael Sandland, Operations Manager for Transport Safety Officers at Transport for West Midlands, presented initiatives undertaken by his team, including National Neurodiversity Training. Findings showed that barriers are more significant on the bus network than on other modes of transport, while tram passengers tend to feel more confident.
However, he acknowledged this could change with the removal of conductors and the introduction of revenue inspectors, as passengers are now required to purchase tickets at machines before boarding trams.

I was also part of a recent initiative involving several developments with Transport for West Midlands and National Neurodiversity Training.
To find out more, please visit the article links below.

The event continued with a panel discussion featuring lived experiences. Panellists included Alistair Crisp from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, Paul Hopkins (Advocate and Sight Loss Councils member), and Alexandra Davis, disability advocate and YouTube influencer.

All panellists shared their experiences of barriers, discussed which transport modes are most accessible, explored how systems work well (or not), and reflected on physical barriers, perceptions, and what changes they would make if given the opportunity.

Examples raised included difficulties with journey planning, issues with contactless payments, and hazards such as tripping or navigating around parked cars on pavements. Some also shared experiences of being stranded in the dark due to cancellations or delays, leading to missed connections and further challenges, particularly when using buses.

The discussion concluded with several key points: the need to address pavement parking, improve accessibility engagement by transport authorities, and build greater empathy. Collaboration and commitment were emphasised as essential. It was also noted that no two individuals have the same experience, so it is important to consider all disabilities, not just those affecting wheelchair users.

Mark Fostbrook, Disability Inclusive Manager at the West Midlands Combined Authority, presented examples of the team’s strategy to make the region more inclusive for disabled people.
He stressed the need for a collective approach to progress, recognising that change cannot happen in isolation. He acknowledged that while there is still a long way to go, this event marked an important step towards improving accessibility across all modes of transport.

The second half of the summit featured two interactive workshops.
The first focused on plans to develop a bus franchising system for the West Midlands, similar to those in London and Greater Manchester. Participants were asked to identify what currently works, what does not, and to map different stages of a journey.
I asked a question about design specifications, referencing a similar scheme in West Yorkshire, where a prototype bus design had been criticised for not adequately considering local passenger needs (including not considering the introduction of a London-style two-door bus with a centre exit.)
In response, organisers stated that they would ensure meaningful engagement and participation to develop designs that are appropriate and relevant for local passengers.

The second workshop, led by the West Midlands Rail Executive, followed a similar format.

Afterwards, I spoke about my concerns with representatives from the West Midlands Rail Executive and West Midlands Trains, including Head of Accessibility James Foxtall, regarding the future of the region’s rail network as it moves towards public control under Great British Railways.
I shared my experience as a passenger, outlining how the network previously operated as a more integrated system before becoming divided into a two-tier structure during privatisation. I noted that this has led to a perceived reduction in peak-time passenger numbers.
I also raised concerns about how future changes could affect integration with Transport for West Midlands. I was advised to contact the Department for Transport, particularly the Transport Secretary, to share my concerns and offer insights as a neurodivergent passenger, along with potential solutions for the region and beyond.

Posing with Michael Sandland, Operations Manager for Transport Safety Officers at Transport for West Midlands

Posing with Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain (Rail Services Lead at the Rail North Partnership)

During the event, I also spoke with representatives from various organisations, including Patrick Power from Network Rail, Daisy Chapman-Chamberlain (Rail Services Lead at the Rail North Partnership), Rebecca Miller (Director of Bus Users UK), and Kwabena Osyande, Equalities and Diversity Manager at the West Midlands Combined Authority.

This summit was an important step in gaining insight from both passengers and transport professionals. It marks the beginning of stronger collaboration, better connections, and positive solutions for a more inclusive transport system for everyone.

This article is linked with specific development categories:

Active & Participation

 Notice to editors

Creative Summit Highlghts

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:52:05 GMT

For the first time, I attended a summit for the creative industries: The Big Creative Summit West Midlands, organised by Creative UK in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority. It took place at Birmingham's Rep Theatre.

I did not attend the entire event, but here are some of my key experiences.
The event was designed to celebrate the growth and development of a wide range of creative industries across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

The summit was hosted by broadcaster and journalist Marverine Cole.

The event began with a poetry performance by Simone “Word” Smith.
This was followed by a statement from the West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, who reflected on developments and progress over the past 12 months. This included a summit between China, Japan and the UK, highlighting the potential for international opportunities. These opportunities aim to support growth in the creative industries and create jobs and investment on a global scale. Richard also emphasised the importance of strengthening the region’s creative industries beyond key development areas such as Digbeth.

Regional developments highlighted included a new studio in Birmingham based on the BBC reality TV series MasterChef, as well as three new productions in the city for both the BBC and Channel 4.
In addition to media and creative developments in Digbeth—including a new Midlands headquarters for the BBC—a new film studio is also being planned in the Black Country.
Graham Webb from Creative Central emphasised the importance of confidence, coordination and scale. He highlighted the need for a more connected and unified voice between Creative UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority, reinforcing that the region is serious about growth.

The event continued with a panelist discussion with Amahra Spence, Michael Ford and Dr Rajinder Dudrah. Chaired by Nick Grimshaw, Associate Regional Director South, Creative UK. The comments include confidence in coordination and scale, as well as developing momentum in the screen industries, supported by various infrastructure factors. The region is serious about growth, with enhanced and connected coordination between Creative UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

This followed by a fireside chat between Sarah Ellis and Ammo Yalwar.

Later, there was a live interview with Amahrah Spence, Director of Hood Futures Studio. She discussed innovative models within the market and advised creatives to take on different roles in line with their ambitions.
Drawing on her experience, she noted that the Growth Investment Fund Programme (by the West Midlands Combined Authority) is particularly helpful for those seeking to better understand the sector. She emphasised that understanding the sector is essential, especially as many traditional models have become outdated. It is important to understand existing systems before attempting to challenge conventions. She also highlighted the importance of using creativity to generate interest in early-stage ideas, while being prepared with the necessary resources.

Regarding tailored support structures, she stressed that success cannot happen without deeper connections and strong, interconnected relationships. These connections help build mutual support as well as long-term partnerships.

Amahrah also expressed concern that we are losing vital civic spaces, particularly in relation to investing in freehold cultural and creative organisations and communities. She further noted that the ecosystem is fragmented, with access to land being a key factor in creating and sustaining spaces, as well as generating value that can be reinvested into communities.

In summary, she encouraged creatives to push the boundaries of their achievements and development. The “rulebook” can be changed—and once you master it, you can rewrite your own version. She also emphasised the importance of valuing strong mentorship and creativity.

Conclusion
The event showcased a wide range of creative developments and highlighted the potential for the sector to shape society locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

This Article is linked with

 Notice to editors

Consultation Action Update

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:20:13 GMT

This article provides a brief update on the actions I have taken against the Department for Work and Pensions following the government’s publication of its findings on last year’s consultation regarding welfare system reform.

Context
This relates to my involvement in a government department consultation that took place during the spring of 2025. It concerned proposals to reform the welfare system to encourage more people with disabilities and health conditions into employment.
As part of my contribution, I published two documents to provide insight and analysis of the proposals. These documents are available to download and read on a participation webpage.

Select the link below to the Publications page

In October 2025, the government published its findings. However, I found that none of my contributions to the consultation appeared to have been considered in the final report.

As a result, in December 2025, I submitted a complaint against the department regarding the handling of my participation in the consultation. This subsequently led to a complaint being raised with you in late January 2026.

Update
In March 2026, I received a response; however, it was largely generic. In the letter, the Department for Work and Pensions explained the process behind the development of the consultation and its findings.
Although they stated that they do not respond to individuals who take part in consultations, they reassured me that every person’s input is fully considered, including my own participation.

This article is linked with development catergories:

Awareness & Particiapation

Notice to editors

NYE Fest Highlights into 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:01:24 GMT

This article presents the highlights of my experience, participation and awareness developments at the UK’s largest Latin dancing New Year convention. The event, organised by Latinmotion took place at Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at Birmingham's NEC

Experience

I attended a number of classes and workshops, ranging from Bachata and Cuban Salsa through to Salsa and Musicality. These were delivered by teachers and instructors including Moe Flex, Jaz & Alex, Abu, and many more.
I also attended the social party on New Year’s night. This was the first time I had a positive late-night dancing party experience since a previous occasion several years earlier in 2022.

Important Information
Due to my previous experience on New Year’s Eve, along with the changing social climate, I made the difficult decision not to attend the party on New Year’s Eve. I felt that, because of increasing & very packed atmosphere along with barriers due to my difficulties as a neurodivergent (at previous events) which had prevented me from dancing, attending would pose a negative risk and reduce the likelihood of having a positive experience. I have also felt stigmatised for complex reasons.
Further details on my thoughts regarding this negative stigma will be presented in a special online blog this April, to mark Autism Awareness Month and International Dance Day. Please keep updated via social media and the Embrace Dancing feature closer to these awareness events.

Additionally, due to other priorities, I was unable to dance regularly for nearly half a year. This may have affected my dancing confidence during late-night parties, particularly in the very crowded atmosphere typical of New Year’s Eve.

Participation

Building on my previous participation in the event as a volunteer, I used my expertise to develop a special information guide for volunteers.
This guide provides information and guidance to ensure consistent standards relating to interaction and interpersonal conduct. It applies not only to communication between volunteers, but also to how they engage with visitors and event participants.
This was developed as an interactive digital touchpoint document in a pocket-sized format suitable for mobile devices. It received positive feedback, and there is potential to develop a similar document for future events.

Awareness

Through my dance awareness initiative, "Embrace Dancing", I collaborated with Latinmotion (the event organisers) to develop a special series of inclusive dance guides for classes, workshops and parties. These were presented as social media video reels and post templates, with input from Latinmotion’s Mauricio Reyes and his son, Kamren.
These guides were released in mid-December and encouraged visitors and event participants to be mindful of small steps that can help ensure every attendee has a positive experience, regardless of their abilities or challenges.
I also premiered a promotional flyer for my Embrace Dancing initiative during the NYE Fest.

You can view both Embrace Dancing videos on Instagram

Version 1: Classes and Workshops

Version 2: Parties and Events

Networking
Following the launch of Embrace Dancing flyers and collaborative initiatives with LatinMotion (including video and social media), I shared my recent developments with key participants of NYE Fest. These included SuperDixon, Moe Flex, Sol David, Gary Thomas, Emma Jayne Santo from Salsa Feel Good, Merchant and Divina from Alchemy Dance Co, and Jean and Robert White from Mambo City, among many others.

Conclusion
This event provided a great balance of dance experience, involvement, and opportunities to inspire others through dancing.

Special thanks for Latinmotion to enabling my dancing awareness initative (Embrace Dancing) to the visitors of their event. Also for me to develop the interactive guide to the events volunteers & participants.

To find out more on my dancing awareness initiative visit the Embrace dancing feature

To explore more on my dancing related participation visit the Dancing direction feature

This article is linked with the Developments:

 Active, Awareness and Participation

 Notice to editors

Embrace Dancing
The online special feature appears both on my personal website and on my awareness website (Plus Value Awareness).

Presenting a family of dancing relatives, awareness projects information and activities. The feature was created in April 2023 and originally developed to support the two awareness events, autism dance and International Dance Day. After the response on social media and online the embrace dancing feature became a permanent feature and as a first point to explore projects & information.

(Content on the Plus Value Awareness website)
"Inclusive to dance", the inclusion information project,

Dancing Inclusive pledges: a family for tips and gudance to encourge inclisive dancing envionments.

(Content on my website)
Including the mini feature Dancing Direction related to my dancing projects and involvement, special information and Latin dancing anniversary surpise

(Content from both websites)
Dancing activities to support the dancing awareness events in April, Dancing Inclusivity publications. Online links to the marketing videos & promotional materials to spread the word about the Embrace Dancing feature.

My experence during Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:52:30 GMT

This special article presents my developments and experiences during this year’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

My summary
My week began on Monday with attending the annual event, the Photography and Video Show. This year’s event took place at Birmingham’s NEC, where I explored not only the showcase of photography and filming equipment, but also gained insight from influencers and social media content creators.

During my networking and meeting people, I encountered two individuals who were part of the event and are neurodivergent. Peter is a professional cyclist and social influencer. While having an informal conversation with him, he shared that he lives with ADHD.
As it was the second time I attended, I also met various people whom I had encountered when the event was previously held in Birmingham two years ago. One of the people I met before was Hattie, a model, broadcaster and influencer. When I was explaining my awareness role, she shared with me that she is also neurodivergent, living with dyslexia.
With permission, both individuals will be featured on my Plus Value Awareness project, Achievers.

Highlights from this event will be available soon on a new blog.

As I am a member of the scrutiny group of my housing provider, I also attended a meeting to share my insights and discuss potential developments.

On Wednesday, I attended a special workplace diversity event "Understanding and Celebrating Differing Minds" organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The event focused on sharing good practice in supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace. This included contributions from CEOs and key workers across specific departments.

Highlights from this event will be available soon on a new blog

On Friday, I took part in my regular community-based dance classes. On the evening, I was teaching beginner-level salsa to students. One of the most important responsibilities is to be accommodating and to adapt learning for students who may find certain dance steps challenging due to health challenges.

My Developments

As well as connecting with different communities, I was also developing a range of content. This included two new insight articles. One focuses on the progress still needed in relation to neurodiversity beyond the workplace. The other is a special neurodiversity edition of a year-long article theme on embracing talent.
For the first time, I also created a personal insight article combining my experiences and developments.

Creative & Possibilities
Developed in conjunction with Birmingham Design (the organisation behind the Birmingham Design Festival), I wrote a personal perspective on my journey and creative ambition. This includes my early journey through education, along with the barriers and obstacles I faced, which led to a variety of developments through connecting with different parts of communities and society.

Select the link below to explore

The Achievers
Eight years ago, when I began supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week through my awareness website, Plus Value Awareness, I launched an information list highlighting inspiring neurodivergent role models and achievers. The objective is to inspire and ensure that every neurodivergent person never gives up on their ambitions and passions.
To support this year’s event, the project has undergone a major revamp, including a new look and a change of title to Achievers. At the same time, more names have been added to the list.

Visit the "Achievers" project by visiting the Plus Value Awareness Website

Stop the Stigma
After five years of development, I have now unveiled a brand-new awareness project on my website. The new Stop the Stigma project provides information and guidance, emphasising that everyone has a responsibility to reduce and challenge negative stigma towards neurodivergent adults.

Visit the "Stop the Stigma" project by visiting the Plus Value Awareness Website

Additional insight blogs

Additional insight blogs
Additional blog was developed with neurodiversity version of the two themed insight and analysis articles.

 including:

Time to Choose

The importance on making the right decisions and not make irrational rections

Embrace talent

Explore the positive qualities and embrace ambitious and talented individuals

Select the links below to access both articles via visiting the Plus Value Awareness insight blog on Wordpress

This article is linked with the category: Awareness

Notice to Editors

More progress must be made

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 18:27:52 GMT

Supporting

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

This is my ninth year on supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week with Plus Value Awareness.

There has been so much initiative to improvements which enable better understanding and positive developments, inclusivity and consideration of reasonable allowances. Especially related to the working environment

However it is not just about work, there is a lot that needs to be done related to understanding change of attitudes & perceptions.

There is some progress and certain paths of life. (Some examples I am honoured to participate throughout my awareness and insight)
This includes:
> Transport
> Some aspects of different industry sectors
> Education
> Housing

Addition I have done special initiatives to improve Neurodiversity awareness in related to creative & design industries online and on social media.

Gaps of progress

Unfortunately there are many gaps with some examples of concerning
Retail
I have observed an increasing amount of ableism in retail environments. Also have experienced physical intimidation though impatience of other customers. Also when of a retailer I have noticed that customer staff communicating too fast which led to customer impatience after a clarification request
There are additional kinds of discrimination which I will not share online with retailers causes escalation discrimination caused by the general public.

Call centres & online support
Through my experiences I have noticed inconsistent standards of accessing call centres. This is where the call centres staff are hard to grasp as they speak too quickly. In addition certain support phone lines become unfairly impatient and make me feel like a nuisance.

Government policies
In related to policies and changes I have noticed on occasions decisions have been made without any negative implications of Neurodivergent especially when it is regarding the general public are required to change certain requirements without considering some might adapting impossible. It can also an effect any government department services which effects disabilities including neurodivergent people

Press & media
There is a mixture of good and problematic. On the positive side the programming and reporting presents different examples of positive Neurodiversity role models and achievers. However in relation to understanding I have observed closed minds judgement of certain neurodivergent conditions which can fuel closed minds and typecasts. One of the recent policy changes was about enabling disabilities and neurodivergent people to access employment opportunities. Rather than have balanced picture on the challenges and barriers, some of the coverage had fuelled hostility and in some cases demonisation through misperception.
Find out more by reading my article on this matter.

Services related to senior citizens
When attending a community hub, I was having a polite conversation I am shunned abruptly with hostile intolerance from a staff from a support charity for seniors. This can cause damaging implications of Neurodivergent citizens over 60 when accessing any type of support or assistance.

Clubbing & music venues
Although these environments are mainly aimed at everyone, I have observed changes and obstacles. Sadly I have experienced including amounts of ablelism in a variety of ways which including physical abuse pranks and throwing drink over me and a combination of trivalisation and hatred threats. has affected my presence and safety and therefore stopped attending with minor exceptions. Because I received inadequate support when reporting, it brings a wrong message which causes exclusion and division with the outdated out of sight generalisation.

Banking
I have observed these environments the most intolerant and cause many obstacles thought impatience and unrealistic expectations against a person's difficulties. This can remove anyone to enable it to be a confident customer. Through my experience I have faced gaslighting when addressing any problem with misleading solutions into pressuring to adapt to the digital or telephone banking. There are inconsistency if I receive messages from a bank without the risk of facing scammers. this example happened to me and because I was courses against any fraudsters or scammers I was wrongly had my debit card blocked. This was caused by the bank not doing enough to distinguish themselves against forced us and scammers when receiving unplanned phone calls and text messages.

There are still more improvements which needs to be made to change & attitudes
Entertainment & Music
There are still examples of entertainment which stigma including old fashioned stereotypes.
this includes the the movie starTom Hank starred in the film rainman which many people have made sweeping generalization autistic people. Because of this some people with hidden related difficulties get constantly if believed with remarks such as "You Don't Look Autistic".

Positive role models with divergent individuals as entertaining and individuals involved with music and production, there isn't a diverse equivalent of diverse voices to combat against prejudice and ableists to attitude and behaviour. This includes music and entertainment celebrities speaking up to encourage them to not discriminate.

Political Public figures
There have been an increased amount of political voices which have caused damaging and harmful stigma.
Out of all of the conditions the autistic spectrum has been harmfully pipe cast after a policy in the United States with the humanising autism as allegation linked with immunisation treatment. American news programs we've certain guests pin on political or business shows use dyslexia as a intelligent put down. A particular world political leader made a sweeping generalisation without evidence saying that people with neurological conditions should not be working in professional job roles. This was after a helicopter crashes that occurred in the United States in 2025.

When addressing negative stigma of disabilities cause by the hostile coverage which demonising disabilities & difficulties related to welfare announcement by the government, I was wrongly disrespected by my local MP I was told to give up my ambition and downgrade my aspirations.

So what's the next step
We must break the gap in newer diversity awareness beyond the world of work. Just like everybody else a neurodivergent should be treated fairly equally and inclusively.

However everyone needs to stop taking responsibility on not to judge and treat others who have varying abilities.

This is not just about understanding it is about validating and embracing without it excuses not just in work but in every path of life in society.

This article is linked with the catagory Awareness

Notice to Editors

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Salsa Marketing revamp

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:42:37 GMT

Developed for Salsa with Pauline

A new look for the marketing materials for salsa with Pauline, a community based dance class which I am a participant of.

The new design is an evolution of the presentation look and it includes:
A new colour scheme of purple and orange which replaces the two-tone blue.

1. A new visual identity to coincide with the new colours
2. A new visual pattern system alongside the visual identity.
3. A more bolder information with the new designs

The Process

The development is a process of developing the possibilities with other design elements based on the new colours. It started with an interactive document presenting the proposals to Pauline Caffrey the founder of salsa with Pauline, the new design presentation Style with different colour options. An instant decision was made with orange and purple, not only that the class students also approved the new colours.

The new designs mark eight years since the salsa with Pauline classes began with new energy and enthusiasm forward.

Visit the creative page to find out more on this project

 This article is linked with

Developed enhanced dancing guides

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:23:37 GMT

Developed with Latinmotion

A special edition of the Dancing Inclusive Guide was developed on video & on social media.

This was based on webpage information and downloadable inclusivity pledges featured online as part of the Plus Value Awareness project, Inclusive to Dance, along with social media templates linked to the online special Embrace Dancing.

The special edition of the inclusive guide was developed in conjunction with the Birmingham-based Latin dancing provider, Latinmotion.

Using guidance from Latinmotion’s co-founder, Mauricio Reyes, a special version of the guide was adapted into social media templates and video reels. Two versions were developed: one focused on dance classes and workshops, and the other on parties and events.

This included developing a series of pictogram designs linked to each guidance step.

For more information on the development of the special guide, please click the link below.

Both the special videos and social media content were shared via Latinmotion’s community Facebook page to coincide with the organisation’s annual New Year event, NYE Fest.

The content also appeared on my Instagram page, where it became the most viewed content in late December.

The aim was to inform and inspire visitors and participants in advance of attending the annual event, and to raise awareness of the Embrace Dancing initiative.

In the long term, I hope these guides will reach more dancing communities.

You can view both Embrace Dancing videos on Instagram

Version 1: Classes and Workshops

Version 2: Parties and Events

This project is combination of Awareness and Creative .

Explore the Embrace dancing online feature to disocver the dancing related awareness projects and other content

Visit the Dancing Direction feature with summary information of my dancing related projects & involvements

My Dancing related developments for the New Year

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:11:55 GMT

Developed with Latinmotion

Enhancing my participation and spreading awareness to improve inclusivity for the UK's biggest latin dancing New Year event. This was for NYE Fest organised by Birmingham's Latinmotion at Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the NEC. The event is three days of dancing workshops, classes, dancing parties, social matinee and live performances from professional dancers from the UK and around the world.

Background
Since 2016 I became part of the event as a volunteer and eventually, a participant behind the scenes. However there have been in recent a lot of barriers and obstacles which can affect a presence of a dancer who is neurodivergent with hidden disabilities or with anxiety. I have personally faced unfortunate prejudice and discrimination which has affected my presence. This led to the creation of the embrace of dancing in April 2023. During the previous version of NYE Fest I was sharing to some of the events key participants a trail video promotion of the Embrace Dancing initiative. During the autumn of 2025 I had a number of conversations with the co-founder of Latinmotion's Mauricio Rayes on how what could be done to improve social and dancing experiences to everyone regardless of abilities and difficulties. This led to being advised to develop a series of short guides on video and for social media to enable attendees and participants to be more accommodating and more inclusive.

Through my personal experiences as a volunteer, I wanted to help improve the experience for everyone and address previous changes that have negatively affected confidence.

Preparation
To enable this idea possible, I had a number of meetings and conversations with Mauricio over the best way forward. Firstly I have shared extracts from the downloadable inclusivity pledges linked with the Plus Value Awareness project "Inclusive to dance" and the existing examples of social media carousel templates to present short tips and guides linked with the awareness initiative embrace dancing.

For the volunteer information guide a number of prototypes has been developed for over six months with volunteer leader Brighon.

Social media template
An amended version of the social media templates came from the advice and guidance from Mauricio and his son Kamraan. With the guidance and advice I made a number of changes and alterations this includes shortening the information and to alter the language to appear more user-friendly and more inviting tone. In addition I was advised to develop a different pictorial design linked with each guidance step.

Video
From the guidance that was used for social media was converted as part of the video presentation. A series of two short videos was developed with a duration within three minutes.
The first process was for me to present to the camera that includes dancing inclusivity tips. Secondly I made some video editing to keep the time within the three minute duration. The graphics and presentation starts in the third process focusing on the titles, closing credits and additional videos and extracts of the embrace dancing online feature. The final two processes involve the on-screen captions and transitional effects.
As a result, two short videos was made, the first edition focuses on classes and workshops with the second version on partner related dancing parties and events.

The video guides are available to watch by selecting the blog article link below

You can view both Embrace Dancing videos on Instagram

Version 1: Classes and Workshops

Version 2: Parties and events

Find out more of the dancing inclusive guides on video and templates for social media by selecting the link below

Flyer
12 months earlier I developed and shared a prototype flyer of the embrace dancing initiative. It was enable dancers and participants to explore the embrace dancing online feature. My idea was to display the embrace dancing flyer within the event space of NYE Fest. At the time that initial reaction by the Latinmotion team was positive. Fast forwarded to December 2025, a family of printed flyers was developed and was displayed in the welcome area of NYE Fest between 31st December 2025 to 2nd January 2026. In addition I was networking with various key participants of this event and it was shared to a number of people including Moe Flex ( a multi discipline latin dancing & musicality teacher and an international Latin dancing events host), SuperDixion (a Kizomba dance teacher and online radio broadcaster), Sol (Kizomba teacher) and Pierre Henry (Dance teacher & DJ).

In addition, a handful of copies were distributed to spread the word to their dancing communities including Robert White aka Bobby Blanco & Jean White (Co-founders of London's Manbo City) and Tarek Nsiri (Founder of Me Salsa, a nationwide dancing classes and events provider)

I have mentioned about developing the embrace dancing video guides and social media templates to all the names mentioned along with Davina (from Merchant and Davina), Gary & Emma (from Feel Good Salsa)

Summary
I hope what I have developed with Latinmotion is a starting point to spread the word to dance communities to have an open mind and improve the dancing environments and to be more inclusive and accommodating.

Volunteer Information guide

A specially made interactive digital document was developed exclusively for the volunteers and key participants of NYE Fest. It was designed to provide consistent standards for interpersonal qualities and an improved support structure.

This was developed based on my previous experiences as a volunteer, as well as listening to the experiences of other event volunteers.

The feedback from the volunteers was positive, and hopefully this can be developed further for the summer event, Motion City.

Accessible events map

I designed a special version of the event location map. This was originally developed for my digital organiser while volunteering at previous versions of the event.

I have received a lot of feedback from event visitors that they prefer the version I developed, as it is clearer and easier to understand. As a result, I arranged with Mauricio for my version of the map to be available as an additional option for event visitors and participants.

 The example shown was modified for security reasons.

This project is linked with the development catagories Participation, Awareness & Creative

Explore the Embrace dancing online feature to disocver the dancing related awareness projects and other content

Visit the Dancing Direction feature with summary information of my dancing related projects & involvements

A Festive Thank you

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:53:51 GMT

This article is a special thank you to everyone who visited and engaged with my festive online content across my website and social media platforms.
This relates to the festive online features on my main website, the Plus Value Awareness website, and the festive-related content shared on social media.
This year saw a record number of visitors and page views across the festive specials, particularly on the Plus Value Awareness website.

On this site- "All the Best" , the Christmas and New Year Special
Since 2012, I have developed a festive online feature for Christmas and New Year. This incorporates festive showcase projects, festive and winter photography, and much more.
The most recent edition differs from previous years, as my main website changed its online location following the switch from the Weebly website builder to Duda.

The online special ran between 21 December 2025 and 2 January 2026 and attracted audiences through detailed and engaging content.
During this period, the website gained 71 visitors with 136 webpage views.
Extracts from the festive special were shared regularly across my Instagram, primary Facebook page, and LinkedIn.

Website Overview
In December overall, the website received 155 visitors with 630 page views

My Primary Facebook Page
A total of 385 Facebook views were recorded on my primary page.
The most popular content was the 15-second New Year greeting video, which gained 259 views and attracted the highest number of non-followers (307).
The most popular static post was the announcement of the festive online feature, reaching 47 people.

My General Instagram Page
A total of 673 Instagram views were recorded over the 12-day festive period.

Top 5 Instagram Content:
Video of my dancing inclusivity tips
Announcing the festive online feature
Close sneak preview of my festive special
Quick reminder encouraging inclusive dancing – Embrace Dancing
My creative festive project

LinkedIn
Between 22 December 2025 and 2 January 2026, LinkedIn recorded 119 views.
The most popular content was the short New Year greeting video that I produced.

Plus Value Awareness Festive Special
Since 2021, the Plus Value Awareness website has featured a special festive online edition, offering tips and guidance for neurodivergent individuals, families, and communities.
For the most recent edition, the content was redesigned with expanded information and a new timeline guide covering key dates during Christmas and New Year.

Between 22 December 2025 and 2 January 2026, the website attracted 100 visitors with 201 webpage views.
The highest number of visitors occurred on 29 December
The second-highest was on Christmas Eve (24 December)
The highest number of webpage views was on 30 December (48 views)
The second-highest was on 29 December
Plus Value Awareness on Instagram
Extracts from the awareness festive special appeared regularly and attracted a total of 104 Instagram views over the 12-day period.

Transport participation to improve connected journeys

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:49:28 GMT

Developed with Transport for West Midlands

A special participation task was developed in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands.

This involves a meeting and written comments and analysis document for Craig Shipley, the information and products developments lead at transport for West Midlands. This is related to the signage and passenger information in Birmingham and the West Midlands metropolitan area.

Since 2018 the passenger information in the region was evolving due to gradual rebranding until 2021, the involvement was related to my experiences as a public transport user and how to enable passengers to fully understand the integrated transport network and the connectivity. My aim for participation is to enable the passengers confidence to navigate from their journeys from A to B regardless of different transport modes. This is regardless if the passenger is a regular user, a visitor to the region or who is local but doesn't use public transport that much.

The Meeting
This participation task began with a face-to-face meeting with Craig having one and one of his co-members. We had a tour of examples of different transport information infrastructure around Snow Hill train station and the nearby bus interchange at St. Philips Cathedral. Craig as mention some of their recent developments and some of the changes planned.

Also I make some feedback with comments I have pre-prepared before the meeting began.

The Document
Following the meeting Craig asked me to develop my comments and feedback based on their proposals and my insight as a public transport user. Several months later I shared my additional comments.

The document titled transport information and signage suggestions covered different aspects including connection and outward travel around Birmingham City Centre and the network as a whole. The document also covered detailed aspects around signage and Solutions of connectivity.

Feedback
After receiving feedback from Craig simply he mentioned that my comments was well received and fit into their objective and strategy related to signage and passenger information.

This article is linked with

Transformation of Valuing Hidden Differences has started

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:23:51 GMT

On my awareness website, you may have noticed with the changes of appearance of the online information project which explore examples on valuing a person beyond understanding and acceptance.

The new look is the first phase of some changes which will be linked with Plus Value Awareness forthcoming objective changes approach to improve understanding

The project's webpages incorporate a new visual design system which contests an asterisk shape with a new family of visual imagery which represents the elements of the project.

Further developments
Further changes to the "Valuing Hidden Differences" project including the project is to be renamed (linked with the forthcoming objective changes of plus value awareness) and the text of the website will be converted to the new design standards implemented which are being rolled out since late 2023.

History
The project was originally titled "Value is" in 2016 and then was changed to "Valuing Hidden Differences" in 2021 with some of the original elements transferred to other projects however the presentation was not updated.

Conclusion and plan of action
When the improvements are completed it will enable to explore the importance of valuing and validation of a neurodivergent with hidden differences.

Keep updated on further developments on this blog and on social media.

You can visit the project "Valuing Hidden Differences" on the Plus Value Awareness website

This combined project is between the development catagories Creative & Awareness

My action since participating in a consultation

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:07:54 GMT

This article is an update on my actions since my involvement in a consultation

After the government's consultation and reviewing its findings, I have undertaken a number of related initiatives.

Background
This article is based on my participation in a consultation led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The consultation focused on the government’s proposal to reform the welfare system in order to enable more people with disabilities and difficulties to access employment.

My participation involved developing two insight and analysis documents. These documents not only responded directly to the questions set by the DWP, but also provided wider analysis, lived-experience insight, and constructive solutions.

In November 2025, the DWP published its findings from the consultation.
My Representation Was Ignored
Despite the significant effort I put into enabling the government to take a more considerate and balanced approach to its proposals, none of my contributions were taken into account. My input, analysis, and solutions developed as part of the consultation were completely ignored.

Actions Taken
Due to my dissatisfaction with how the DWP handled my involvement in the consultation process, I submitted a formal complaint to the department.

My complaint is based on the following factors:
1. The language and narrative of the proposal document
The way the proposals were written, and how lived experiences were represented, was rhetorically dehumanising and offensive. The narrative demonised people with disabilities and difficulties who are held back from employment opportunities.

2. Misrepresentation of disabilities and neurodivergent
I provided examples of how my voice was ignored and how the department misrepresented people with disabilities and difficulties, including individuals like myself, as neurodivergent.

3. Fueling hostility through political and media narratives
The proposals and language used by members of the government and commentators have contributed to increased hostility within the press and media coverage. I also explained how this has directly resulted in me facing increasing levels of discrimination while integrating and functioning in society.

My complaint was submitted with a formal cover letter and two digital supporting documents.

Video Blog
In addition to my formal complaint to the DWP, I am developing a video blog addressing how my efforts to promote a fair, balanced, and constructive approach to the government’s proposals were ignored.
Within the video, I emphasised that government proposals must never be used as justification to fuel ableism, discrimination, prejudice, or hatred in any form.
The video is to available soon to view on selected social media platforms

Plus Value Awareness Platforms
The video and related content to be available soon on the Plus Value Awareness Instagram page.

Personal and General Platforms
The content is also to be available soon on my LinkedIn profile and my general Instagram page.

View and download my Consultation documents
The two publications I have developed for the DWP consultation is available to download and online. Just visit the publication page link for details

This article is linked with the following development catagories

 Notice to Editors:

Special event representing the BBC in Birmingham

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:18:03 GMT

In December 2025, I made a brief visit to a special local awareness campaign at Birmingham's Bullring shopping mall.

The BBC hosted a showcase event to launch a campaign highlighting the broadcaster's commitment to Birmingham.

The event included an interactive comment wall featuring inviting the local general public's expressions about Birmingham. Additionally, BBC Regional TV news and local radio teams were present to cover the event.

I also had the opportunity to meet with West Midlands Mayor Andy Parker and BBC regional television journalist and broadcaster Nicola Beckford.

This campaign is part of some exciting future developments, including the construction of a new regional broadcasting headquarters in Digbeth, at the heart of Birmingham's Eastwide development and will be located near the future HS2 high-speed railway line and station.

The article is linked with.

Notice to Editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games.

Highlights of two Social economic events

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:55:35 GMT

I attended two special events, as part of the festival "Social Economic Drive".

Social Economic Showcase

For the second year in a row I attended the special social enterprise event organised by the support provider I.S.E. it combines guest speakers apparently discussing exhibitions and networking.

Social economy and the arts

Event organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority which celebrates the variety of organizations which combine social enterprise, co-operative organisations and creative arts. Presented by legendary broadcaster Nikki Tapper MBE, the event is a celebration of music film poetry drama, visual arts and live discussions.

The earlier discussion addresses how work gets done related to creative arts
The comets mentioned include: Artists Amerah Saleh mentioned the importance of working together as a collective is more powerful than individuals alone.

In the second discussion is addressing the importance of social economy
Charles Rapson from the West Midlands Combined Authority emphasising the importance of using social enterprise to address equality's particular social issues and matters. Collaboration is the only way to maintain stability against any social or popular changes which could be a danger. Charles also has his frustration by requesting people in social enterprise to stop saying the term "not for profit". The emphasis is that it's a combination of organisations making a profit but with a social cause.

Dr Gregory Roberts addresses The importance of breaking away from what we are used to at the same time the importance of being self sufficient. He reminded us how we cannot talk about the progress of Birmingham and the West Midlands without emphasising the positive achievement of people from a multicultural background.

Vira Viaitkute from Media Cooperative emphasises that collaboration is having a vision of the key ingredient of process and action.
Other voices on this discussion includes how art can be a power level of social change even if there's a system to try to control creativity. Also creative arts should penetrate the scope of the world.

The overall event reminds us that creativity and art is not just about the commercial aspect it also about how it benefits local communities and connecting together.

In addition the event presents some individual and team guests on stage including:

Amerah Saleh (Spoken Word Artist), a video campaign by Dance Co-operative Birmingham, Sipho Ndlovi (Spoken Word Artist), live theatre drama performance by Itzatna Arts of "Kaho and Bridgwater", Reiss "Odd Preist" (Musician) with event closes with Janel Antoneshia (Musician)

The event also celebrated the achivement of Jo Ind the former Hub Co-ordinator of West Midlands Ownership Hub, a previous regional section of the National Ownership Hub which was supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority this was presented by both Nikki Tapper MBE and James Wright (Policy and Development Lead, Co-operatives UK)

This article is linked with

"Flagging the issue" a special design event

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 22:07:05 GMT

Highlights from my attendance of Gather, the special series of themed design presentation talks from selected professionals in art, design and creativity. The event is organised by Birmingham Design Festival and was located at The Crossing linked with the city's South and City College.

The guest speakers including:
Greg Burns
A graphic designer, D&I consultant and public speaker
Greg showcases a variety of projects which link with history, countries which previously had imperial leadership controversial politics and decision-making.
This includes his story on his experience of flags flying, especially the issue of lack of belonging. This was an inspiration to develop a metaphor of a union flag as a beacon of civil and human rights.

Some of his work was used for specific protests including George Floyd and the knee protests against racism.

He had also developed open spaces with this discussion on matters which are not related to activism.

Cat Philips, Artist
Cat presented a collection of projects based on her passions and belief related to worldwide affairs especially on war and conflict. Some of her work was featured on some of the key protest events in the UK. Also worked with different issues such as politics, world affairs and the environment.

Greg Oldham
Designer and writer & creative Director of Rough Trade Books
The uses his discovery of philosophy and strong principle to develop a variety of different projects. This includes dealing with serious challenges. Also an inspiration of solidarity during challenging times including the miners strike in the 1980s with effect on his families and communities.

Sarah Boris
Multi purpose artists
Sarah uses her passion to develop her creativity on issues related to changing political movements against dividing communities. Some of her work has been feared by politicians. Her ideas are an impulse to do something that's going on. Also she colaberates on projects which leads from digital to screen print.

Outcome
This event is an important reminder that design is not always used to improve a service, products or anything which everyone accesses, but also to address serious matters which everyone needs to consider or to change from something that is challenging or is problematic.

The projects mentioned to enable creativity to go further beyond the general or vanity aspects and create a change or a statement for everyone to pay attention to.

This article is linked with

Special Salsa Marketing

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:48:07 GMT

Special Version of Marketing Materials for Salsa with Pauline

In addition to the general marketing materials that I regularly create for Salsa with Pauline, I developed additional materials for two specialised events.

Celebration Event
A special event combining classes and a social night to celebrate a landmark birthday for the class creator, Pauline Caffrey.

Bring & Share
The final classes of the year became a special social night, including classes at the beginning of the evening.

The Designs
Both designs featured a unique twist on the regular design presentation.

When creating the design for the special celebration night, I wanted to adapt the concept by using colour and imagery to convey a sense of quality and significance.

For the Bring & Share event, I was instructed to design the materials without any obvious association with Christmas. This decision was made to respect the diverse religions and beliefs of regular attendees, some of whom do not celebrate Christmas.

Both designs represented not only an evolution of the standard presentation but also a significant shift in how the classes may be developed in the future.

Further details to appear online soon

This article is linked with

 Notice to editors

Salsa with Pauline

Created by developed Pauline Caffrey in 2018 with classes started in Perry Barr area of Birmingham at the Broadway Dance Centre. It began as a Saturday morning classes and exapnded to Sunday Mornings laterin the same year. Because of high number the Saturday classes moved to the Soho area at the Reminece Social Club. During the pandemic the Reminece Social Club closed down. During 2021 onwards Saturday classes returned to Broadway Dance Centre for a few months, then in the autumn the Saturday classes Moved to Lozells at the St. Pauls & St. Silas Church. In July 2023 the Friday Night Special was launched in Nechells at the Heartlands Social Club in Nechells. There was trial during the late autumn of 2023 for Wednesday classes at the Cape Hill area. In April 2024 the Saturday classes moved to Nechells for a few months. The in mid 2024 the classes focuses on Fridays night only. Keith Mckenzie has participated with the majority of the venues (except the trial classes at Cape Hill)

Awareness panelist for a second time

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:39:44 GMT

Participated for University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham invited me for a second time to be part of an awareness study event as a seminar panelist. This event was organised as part of the study weekend arranged by the School of Education and was coordinated by my long-time friend, Andrea McLeod, Associate Professor in Autism Studies at the University of Birmingham. The seminar was presented to MA Inclusion Programme students from the School of Education, focusing on inclusion.

I was joined by Dr. Barbara Sandland, Research Fellow within the Autism Centre for Education and Research, and Anita Sonia, Academic and Professor, as well as Head of the School of Education.

The event was moderated by Prithvi Perpea, Associate Professor at the Department of Disability and Special Needs, and Global Engagement Lead for the School of Education.

Event Summary
The event covered a wide range of topics, including the diagnosis of specific challenges, how support could be improved for young people with specific difficulties, best practices for supporting autistic individuals, financial challenges faced by local authorities related to diagnosis and support, and examples of good practice in the field.

Some of the points I raised included:
The need for innovative partnerships between schools, parents of children with specific difficulties, universities, and local communities. The role of local communities is crucial, not only for young people but also for adults with specific difficulties. However, this approach must be based on lived experience, not solely medical research or perceptions. This is especially important since some foundational organisations for ADHD and Dyspraxia have closed down in recent years. Additionally, in certain areas, referrals have been discontinued, which has impacted the support process for individuals with ADHD.

The potential financial difficulties faced by local authorities in supporting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
As a neurodivergent individual with a multicultural background, I emphasised the need for a stronger, more coherent approach to supporting families, particularly in overcoming the negative stigma that often accompanies diagnoses. This stigma can unfairly dehumanise individuals with specific difficulties, leading to a downgrade of their social status and labeling them as liabilities.

Reflections on Recent Welfare Reform Proposals
Regarding the recent welfare reform proposals by the government, I expressed concern that not enough has been done to address the barriers autistic individuals face in employment. There needs to be a greater emphasis on embracing talented and ambitious individuals who could excel in the workplace if they are supported, valued, and validated.
I participated in the public consultation with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on these welfare reform proposals.

Some of my comments included:
The need for a shift in ethos regarding employment support and government programs. These services should not generalise individuals but should be tailored to the needs of neurodivergent people.
The importance of improving standards to ensure that individuals are not penalized for the difficulties they face but are instead encouraged to leverage their strengths and attributes.

Seminar Insights: Birmingham Tech Week
I also contributed during a seminar discussion at Birmingham Tech Week, where a new recruitment process was introduced that could unfairly discriminate against autistic and neurodivergent people. This was in response to a question regarding the type of support that would be beneficial for successful employment outcomes for these individuals.
In addition, I shared several examples from my own awareness developments, specifically related to inclusive practices.

Disclosure in the Workplace
During the event, I responded to a question from the audience regarding the decision to disclose or not disclose one's neurodivergence in the workplace. I highlighted a conflict of interests (some experts and high-profile individuals choose not to disclose their neurodivergence to improve employment opportunities, while others argue for transparency.) I also mentioned a recent high-profile court case in the East Midlands, where a former manager was dismissed after failing to disclose a history of depression, citing health and safety concerns as the rationale for non-disclosure.

Conclusion
According to the event organizers, the seminar was well-received by the students. My input provided a valuable insight and perspective that enriched their studies.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank you to Andrea McLeod and the rest of the team at the University of Birmingham to enable me to participate

This article is linked with the following development categories

Special transport awareness event on neurodiversity

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:55:15 GMT

I was invited to attend a special awareness event on a project which I have participated in.

The event "Neurodiversity and Transport" was part of a research project which has been developed over the past 12 months. During the event a number of examples of findings were shared as part of the research.

This was developed by National Neurodiversity Training in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership.

The event includes presentations from:
Iveta Pudilova, the Founder and CEO of National Neurodiversity Training

She presented different examples of the findings from the special report related to neurodiversity on public transport in the West Midlands region.

An essential point on the importance related to a universal design is a crucial factor for safety and accessibility. As part of her research, Iveta has communicated to may passengers and had regular contact with West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership in the past 12 months including safe travel safety team and officers. This is part of the strategy from the West Midlands Mayor titled "Transport for All".

The percentage of neurodiversity on public transport was the highest and beyond the national percentage related to research anywhere in the UK.

Some of the questions were addressed why there is the importance of neurodiversity related to understanding the journey experiences, how frequently a new neurodivergent person travels. Also how a neurotypical person is likely to report if a neurodivergent person is a victim of crime.

Michael Sandland, the Travel Safety Officer Manager at Transport for West Midlands.
Michael presented a summary of his involvement in the research project in partnership with the team at National Neurodiversity Training.

Some of the points addressed including
The reliance of public transport and shared understanding with action is more important than the research and planning.

My involvement in the research
It started in early 2025 when attending the open event at Snow Hill station which addresses safety on public transport
Select the link to the article for details

As part of the same event my Iveta from the National Neurodiversity Training asked me to be featured on an awareness video as part of the strategy and research linked with the report neurodiversity and training
Select the link to the article for details

Myself and Iveta were asked to be featured separately on a series of video training to enable greater knowledge and understanding of when using public transport in the region. This was distributed to travel safety and accessibility teams within Transport for West Midlands
Select the link to the article for details

My analysis
The event was a major important step on understanding and awareness of neurodiversity on public transport. It is a very strong example with high standards to every transport organisation in the United Kingdom and beyond. Especially with the emphasis on listening to lived experience in context. This is very important to prevent misrepresentation, misinterpretation and inaccurate judgments relates to journey experience and when specific situations which may occur.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Iveta from National Neurodiversity Training and the team at Transport West Midlands, along with Paul Franks, Michael Sandland and the entire team at the West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership for involving me as part of these very important developments.

An additional special thank you to Cerys O'Hara who was part of the travel safety team as part of her internship scheme this was linked her studies at University.

Also, a special thanks to the outgoing Chief Executive Anne Shaw for listening and provide some limited support in related to signposting and contacts within the combined authority. Anne leaves her role at Transport for West Midlands at the end of 2025 to start a new role as Chief Executive of National Transport Authority in Ireland in early 2026.

This article is linked with the catagories

Birmingham Tech Week 2025: The Festival Highlights

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:30:21 GMT

I have attended a family of events as part of Birmingham Tech Week.

This was my first ever visit. Not just because of the expectation of using artificial intelligence but I wanted to explore a variety of insights and perspectives in business and enterprise.

I did not attend every single event but I was selected for the specific events to gain knowledge of certain aspects.
The locations I attended includes: Birmingham Conference and Event Centre, International Convention Centre around the city centre along with The Steam House at the east side of Central Birmingham

Panel discussions
Examples on some of the panel discussions includes;
Unleashing your tech superpower
This is related to embracing opportunities from neurodiversity
It started with a video from a son of one of the guests and the transformation on how their difficulties affected him and he was embraced into potential opportunities into the future.

Some of points addressed include how business has not approaching neurodiversity appropriately and how managers must incorporate inclusivity as the best way forward. Also to make sure any changes of the business approach and strategy does not discriminate against a neurodivergent in the recruitment process (including surveillance monitoring during job interviews and unplanned rapid fire questions. Some of the positive ideas addressed includes work trials).

From hype to hands on
This is relating to confidence for small and medium businesses to access artificial intelligence with confidence.

Examples of expressions made from the panelist
It is about doing some experimenting and to learn from any mistakes as a way of driving change of innovation. Making sure that the data that is used for artificial intelligence must be of high quality, an important factor to improve efficiency. However not all pilot projects using artificial intelligence will be successful. One of the common causes include lack of skills and leadership of understanding beyond generative AI.

Other comments include it is not about if you are using artificial intelligence or not, but instead how AI is used alongside other aspects.

Partnership and collaboration is the best approach for developing and using artificial intelligence.

Having technical skills in AI will not be enough and being disconnected and having little or no connections can lead to failure.

Presentation talk
I also watched a presentation talk from Martin Sadler, the Director of Digital & Technology services at Birmingham City Council
He provided some advice or guidance especially those who are starting up from an enterprise idea.
Making strong evaluations are essential using a presented system on what you can do and what you can't do. This is related to what you are good at & what not good at. The decisions can be made to prioritise strategies for the short, media and long term. However, listening and developing solutions must be what people need.

Meeting with Dan Harris

Through my awareness background on neurodiversity it was an honor to meet Dan Harris the CEO of Neurodiversity in Business, a very important icon that is not only spreading the word but also challenging close minds and stigmatizing perceptions. In the past few years Dan has spread to word of neurodiversity with different aspects of society. Not just in the business community but also with the national government and with parliament.

Conclusion
The event reinforces some of the points I am aware of beforehand, this is especially related to artificial intelligence. However the greatest information is about the importance of connectivity and developing working partnerships including collaboration. Being disconnected does not improve your prospects no matter how technically skilled you are on artificial intelligence. Special thanks to Naomi and her team for providing the family of events

Personal experience as a neurodivergent
Despite the event being positive with its objective there were many people who were either attending or some people at the exhibition stand we were unfairly ableist. This includes trying to interfere on the spot or rush me inappropriately which can be very embarrassing and humiliating. Also some people inappropriately shun me where I am sharing my development. Despite the fact that I disclose myself as a neurodivergent, various business leaders do not do enough to make reasonable allowances. This can destroy any confidence of a neurodivergent person who is ambitious and talented. Business & organisations C.E.O'S, staff and leaders need to stop reacting inappropriately and instead have an open mind and listen better.

This article is linked with

Festival of Enterprenurs 2025: This event highlights

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:15:26 GMT

I attended a two day conference related to business and enterprise, at Birmingham's NEC. The event combined exhibition stands and multiple seminar zones such as Artificial Intelligence. funding , key note, and many more.

Presentation talks & panelist discussions

The examples of presentation talk I have attended including

A panel discussion which addresses to grow your business on artificial intelligence and how it is shaping the startup journey.

This includes guests such as Sadeew Akintola, James Ferraby, Roei Samuel and Luke Christolforidis
Some of the comments and guidance mentioned includes:
How artificial intelligence can designed to enable productivity and efficiency. Also, how it can bypass the recruitment process for particular specialists. Artificial intelligence forces everyone to be quicker and to enable behaviour changes. Anyone who does not use artificial intelligence either lacks curiosity or is disconnected through complacency.

So the key approach is to get comfortable with groundwork and the framework of AI
One of the most effective approaches for using artificial intelligence is to use it as a tool for solutions. The starting point is related to problem solving with accessing knowledge which is human & kind related.

During discussion I asked two questions
Question 1.

Because I'm aware that specific searches such as Chat GBT are not effective unless you're using the premium version of the application, how can you encourage people to use the platform when it can be a barrier than its objective

Answer: Some of the panelists respond that I should use a comparative AI search which explores different AI platforms where you can analyse to make the right decisions on the searches you are looking for.

Question 2.

As a person with a creative background I have been told by many professionals that they are not satisfied with the level of standards using artificial intelligence. How can you use creative Artificial intelligence without risking being in legal trouble to say copyright infringement.
Answer: The response & suggestion that using AI could be a starting point to spark and generate ideas.

I also watched several presentation talks from Andrew Davis, Sabrina Stocker, Elliot Fern and Laura Burton

Andrew Davis
He shared his background on how he has been connected with broadcast career for television, radio, online and the music industry.
The art of engagement is essential related to opportunities and using artificial intelligence. He emphasised the importance that the golden era of artificial intelligence related to opportunities can disappear very quickly as soon as the end of 2026.
He also emphasized that two thirds of business and now using generative AI as part of their functions and strategies.
He explains the benefits of using artificial technology in a variety of approaches. This includes developing ideas and getting the right people on what can be done. Also how it can be affected related to ideas marketing and distribution as confidence.

My question to Andrew
Based on a previous question I also asked Andrew about how the creative professionals are not happy with the standard of artificial intelligence and how we need to encourage it when it's not necessarily up to the right standards.

Answer: It feels that it is getting better and we are at an age where the poor standards I evaporating so it is still important to get started and fast.

Sabrina Stocker

Sabrina shared her background, how to become a contender for a television series "The Apprentice". This led to her developing her own business. She shared how her life was dramatically changed during the pandemic which disrupted her ambition and how she had to build herself up again from nothing.

During the presentation she was emphasising the importance of a personal brand.
She said a number of suggestions including a variety of ways of using artificial intelligence to improve your personal and professional brand with includes motivation and momentum. Also, how using artificial intelligence can be a learning curve over a period of time which can be a leader to ask more answers to any questions and requirements.
I felt over how Sabrina was emphasised her points that how you share your story can make a difference between the opportunity or missing out and how artificial intelligence can be used to improve your progress.

I asked Sabrina some questions
I explained to her as a neurodivergent there can be a stigma which can affect our brand and how to break that stigma.
Sabrina immediately admitted to me that she is a neurodivergent herself as a Dyslexic and the emphasis of using your superpower and to have a human approach and be authentic.

I also ask a question as a suggestion that creating a Q&A online information page can be a useful tool for others to understand you. She agreed .

Elliot Fern
The presentation began how being skeptical to artificial intelligence is similar like how people were cynical to electricity in the earliest 20th century. Elliott addressed how the wrong marketing approaches.
This includes how the two vertical approaches can cause more problems than its intentions. How adapting artificial intelligence technology is the most effective related to marketing, strategy and making decisions in business. Overall Elliot explains how there is a difference between old strategy and how artificial intelligence leads to improved opportunities. This is related to strategy systems a chains of approach in businesses and transformation.

Laura Burton, CEO of Brutal marketing
She focuses on how you can increase your sales and brand on LinkedIn.
This is related to how communicating is approaches and number of actions and procedures.

Analysis from Laura's presentation
As I didn't want to share the detailed suggestions in the presentation. So instead, I provide an overall analysis on some of the points Laura was mentioning and what kind of things everyone needs to pay attention to.
Overall I felt that it is not about stretching yourself or to switch and change because of what is popular. It is about being smarter. This includes about being clear about your objective and building steps to maximise the appeal, connectivity and business sales. At the same time being authentic with a strong message of what you're about and what you like other people to do.

My insight and analysis
I felt attending this event isn't just about insight from business leaders but also the approach on the overall development in businesses and enterprise. The event reminds everybody that artificial intelligence is the biggest change that will affect businesses and potentially communities and the rest of society.
Everyone will be falling behind if we if we do not embrace artificial intelligence. The time to embrace AI is now, as the clock is ticking and time is running out. After late 2026 it will be too late for any opportunities.

This article is linked with

Participating in Bristol with a Hip-Hop legend

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:39:29 GMT

Insight, participation and listening around the team with a Hip-Hop legend

I was invited to attend and participate in the live concert of the Hip-Hop legends Lord Finesse.

This was part of the 35th Anniversary of the album "Funky Technician" with live mixes from DJ Boggie Blind. Finesse went through his music journey of his key selection from his albums past & present.

Also he pays homage to other Hip-Hop legends who are no longer with us. In addition a number of live turnable sessions by DJ Boggie Blind.

As part of the build up the resident DJ linked with Bristol's Hip-Hop event "Sip the Juice" was in the mix for over 2 hours.

The night was a top quality of higher standards and it was great to see mahy hip-hop music lovers attending from different generations.

Participation
I supported my friend Pritt Kalsi to assist filming the Lord Finesse using his professional filming equipment.

Before the event
Myself and Pritt Kalsi have the honour to spend time with Lord Finesse and his team for a sound check rehearsal and to spend quality time with the crew. I have learned a lot about their insight on ambition, opportunities and the importance of not being taken advantage of.

Finally
Special thanks for Lord Finesse for making me and Pritt very welcome and for enable to spend time with them throughout the day in Bristol.

 This article is linked with the following categories

Birmingham Fashion Week 2025 launch night & art gallery

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:18:21 GMT

This article contains my experience of the opening party of the Birmingham Fashion week including an art show

This was my first ever experience visiting an event focusing on fashion and style.

With my background of creativity and awareness I wanted to connect with communities which I am not usually familiar with.

An event which gives an opportunity to network and connect with creative people related to the Fashion in the region and beyond.

Local designers, stylists and university students provide different examples of styles worn by a family of models throughout the event.

Art Exhibition
In addition an exhibition of illustration, photography and visual art was displayed. This includes aspects of clothing while others focus on visual stylistic interpretation of portraits, locations music and many more.

Networking
I have the opportunity to meet and network with a variety of people involved with the event or who is attending. I didn't know what to expect but I felt extremely welcome I was very interested in my environment with my background in creativity. awareness and dance.

Inspiring Models
One aspect that I was very pleased about is meeting with several models who are neurodivergent individuals and with invisible disabilities. Some were part of the Fashion week while some were attending to showing their support.

My Conclusion
Over the years I have attended events related to understanding design marketing transport health and diversity. This event was stepping out of my comfort zone.
Attending this event was worth the visit and I will consider visiting similar events related to Fashion in the future

Special thanks to the event organisers and to everyone involve for a great event and to make me extremely welcome throughout.

This article is linked with

Attended a nationwide housing particiation event

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:59:11 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Please Note: Due to confidentiality and privacy, I will not feature any names or the name of the housing organisation I am represented with.

I was invited to a housing conference on the importance of representation of voices as an housing resident.

I was joined by a member of the local scrutiny group and a participation staff member from a housing association

Event Information

National Tenants Scrutiny conference is a day long event, organised by the housing organisation "Tpas" (Tenant Participation Advisory Service) is a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving tenant engagement nationwide.

It took place at Holywell Park Conference Centre, located the science campus of the University of Loughborough with the attendance from housing residents from scrutiny groups from all regions of England including housing associations, charities and local authorities.

The event includes schedules of presentation talks and features with some of the schedules were optional.

General schedule
This part of the event for all the visitors of the event

Keynote panel scrutiny from all sides
A panelist discussions which enables to address ideas to specific matters and solutions which encourages residents to use as for the thinking ideas in their communities.

Jack Smith, Assistant Director Assessment and Tenant Engagement at the Regulator of Social Housing - a regulation body from the HM Government
Jack has developed and presented an information structure from a report related to standards and enables a tenant voice.
The guidelines from the reports should be used on engagement to make sure the standards are met.

Jack has also explained to audience the department's functions related to housing organisations and local authorities. This includes inspections, developing reports and analysis and assessing the tenancy standards In addition, discovering questions related to it working and how it benefits you.

Alicia Mortlock, an housing participant as developed a family of independent information and Solutions on tenant participation
Alicia has presented her insight how we must change from a situation with a tennant's voice are not always listened to taken into consideration. Also she addresses matters related to engagement with the whole truth isn't always realised. Emphasising more needs to be done to remove the barriers between the perception and reality.

Adrian Foster, independent councillor and scrutiny expert for Tpas
He addresses the kind of development he has done with this organisation Aspire Housing to improve tenants engagement.

Councillor Caritas Charles, Councillior for Portishead in North Somerset and
Policy and insight Manager Tpas
Emphasise the importance that tenancy should be a compliment not as a competition to the management and key decision-makers.

Specialised schedules
This was aspects of the event which was optional to attend for all delegate

No nonsense guide to scrutiny for newbies
During the first customised schedule it started with an interactive question and answer exploring different aspects of scrutiny.
Doing this presentation we explore different aspects of scrutiny including: Principal, Process & People.

This includes to ensure standards regulatory judgments. A review of engagement should happen every three years.
Also it covers areas such as building safety competency and standards it is related to real changes.

Top tips for effective scrutiny
With the second customised schedule, focuses on how we can engage the standards of scrutiny.
Throughout the event it addressed a number of questions for everyone to ideas within smaller groups.

Some examples covered including such as what does what are the good and bad aspects with the governance and transparency this also includes the good and bad areas of tenancy.

The overall conclusion leads to ideas including opportunities when issues are addressed and increasing opportunities for Communities to have their say including pop-up participation events in the community. Also some suggestions that any decisions and the structure of voices must be from tenants and not managerial lead. This it not only related to participation and scrutiny but also this related to decision making. In addition to this, not making the approach should be harmonized.

Showcase event
The event concludes with a special awards event with five finalists on representative of housing organisations and residents present their specific achievement or development within five minutes. The audience votes for the overall winner to win the scrutiny impact act trophy.
The winner was a housing organisation Anchor focusing on their strategy related to anti-social behaviour.

Final conclusion

The event is a starting point to enable engagement and postive development between the residents along with the housing providers, staff and management

This article is linked with

Neuroinclusion Conference: The event Highlights

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:29:12 GMT

I have visited Stoke on Trent to attend my first experience of the Neuroinclusive Conference. It took place at the University of Staffordshire, organised by the Neurodiversity Network.

The event includes presentation talks and exhibitions from a variety of organisations related to understanding, embracing and providing specific services.

Presentation Talks

I did not attend all of the presentations talks, here a summary of the examples which I did attend, watch and listened.

Dr Keri Betts from Neurodiversify explore building and working environments and the possibilities to improve inclusivity

Though the experiences of creativity and marketing, Tania Gerard presents how design can make a neurodivergent thrive with a series of practical frameworks.

How artificial intelligence can enable productivity for a neurodivergent, this is what Julia Rafferty was addressing in her presentation.

Ben Holmes presents how there is a right approach for a neurodivergent in the working environments.

The director of the Neurodiversity Network, Claire Kerry demonstrates examples of to be inclusive of a neurodivergent related to recruitment.

The main reason to attend is to support a good friend Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski. She was addressing examples how working differently can make a positive sense in business and in a working environment regardless of locations.

During the event I also met with different neurodivergent individuals along with individuals and organisations who are providing services.

Verdict

All the examples are important and essential to enable an inclusive workplace. The rest of society needs to pay greater attention and move away from generalisation and assumption. This event was vital make the positive progress possible.

 This article is linked with

Notice to editors

Not a medal of shame

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 21:03:01 GMT

For supporting Black History Month

INTRODUCTION
My personal experiences related to misinterpretation when myself and others are wearing a visual identifications.

BACKGROUND
Wearing specific visual identification (including sunflower lanyards) is designed for the general public and provider of different services at public places open spaces to be more accommodating. This is especially if a person's difficulties affect their ability to function when they are compromised to the pressures and intolerance against their difficulties.

Sadly, being a black and neurodivergent person, there are still closed minds and attitudes. I witnessed this myself when wearing a landyard across the streets and public spaces in Birmingham City Centre in August.

I faces three different prejudice attitudes within the same day. A young black woman rudely distracts me with do mockery hand gestures imply that I am mentally abnormal and while laughing at me.

A mature black man wrongly misinterpreted me how unperceived and was making threatening muttering remarks towards me. This is similar to the hatred threats and remarks. The misinterpretation was related to the man noticing I was walking slightly slower and normal without realising that I might be either tired or facing anxiety.

At a major supermarket a group of young black teenagers was distracting me with making exaggerated mockery on their interpretation of learning disability or mentally abnormal well laughing at me. Then they try to gaslight me by pretending to be friendly by saying "all right". I appear very intolerant against them by shaking my head while looking very unhappy. Because of my disapproval towards them, they reacted by being very threatening towards me and shouting at me "What's your problem". When I tried to report to a member of staff, the young people who caused the offence tried tosneak away and to escape to make it harder to be identified when reporting.
In this case the ableist offenders used the customer lift in the store to avoid accountability for their discrimatory behaviour.

THE CONSEQUENCES
There are harmful implications for the examples from how I have been mistreated. It could mean that some multicultural neurodivergent people could be made to not wear visible identifications at certain locations. This could lead to situations where a person is pressurised to mask their difficulties to a level where they could be psychologically and mostly compromise when pushed beyond their ability and coping mechanisms against their difficulties. This can lead the person to be demonised and ashamed further.

WHAT HAS TO CHANGE
The multicultural Communities need to change their interpretation when a person is wearing identification such as sunflower lanyards.

This includes being educated on the importance why it is used and should not be used to ashamed their existence.

The general community also needs to change their attitude and not assume that a multicultural neurodivergent is a threat or danger. Especially when they are psychologically and emotionally compromised when pushed beyond how they cope against their difficulties.

FINAL POINT
We must stop demonising and the shaming of a multicultural and neurodivergent when wearing visual identifications.

Written by Keith Mckenzie & developed with Plus Value Awareness

EXPLORE MORE

Click here the my awareness website Plus Value Awareness to explore different projects, features and information

Multicultural with Hidden Differences Focus

As part of them same website, explore the online features with awareness articles, and information focused on Multicultural people with Hidden Differences (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dsypraxia and Social Anxiety)

A RECOMMENDED BLOG ARTICLE

My area must improve attitudes
Expressing my experences my personal experence on prejudice attitudes in my area

 This article is linked with

 Visit the Awareness index to explore

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Positive Value project transformed

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 22:52:21 GMT

For my awareness initiative Plus Value Awareness

The Information Awareness Project, aimed at highlighting the value of individuals with hidden differences, has been redesigned to feature a fresh new look.

Background
Launched in 2021, the Positive Value project began exploring the importance of individuals with hidden differences beyond mere understanding. After four years online, an updated appearance was deemed necessary to maintain interest in the awareness information presented.

The updates include a new project identity and a revamped visual design system featuring a three-dimensional look, which enhances the message of awareness by adding depth to the presentation.

These changes are part of a broader effort to update a series of awareness projects showcased on the Plus Value Awareness website. The new design will also be reflected on social media, featuring excerpts from this online project.

Visit the Positive Value project via the Plus Value Awareness website

Visit the combined project page on the development of this project

This article is linked with the following articles

 Notice to editors

MotIon City 2025 Highlights

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 12:13:50 GMT

This article provides highlights of my experiences along with details of my involvement behind the scenes. Also a summary of my networking on my dancing awareness feature.

It is all changed, as this year's edition of one of the UK's largest Latin-related dancing festivals has moved to the new venue at the Eastside Rooms, located on the eastside of Birmingham city centre.
Motion City is a three-day event with a combination of dance classes, workshops, daytime dancing matinee, late-night parties and live dance performances from dancers from the UK and around the world.
It attracts visitors from different parts of the UK & abroad.

Select the photo gallery below

Classes
I have attended a variety of classes and workshops on different types of dancing.
Including Bachata (Fusion & steps to connection), tips on improving social dancing, an introduction to ChaChaCha and Manbo Con Son (focusing on the rhythm). I also attended a variation of salsa, which is different to the style I am used to. With teachers from John Barry, Gabriel Musulbas, All Tamba, Robert White & Elaine Grenwood.

Parties
I also attended the late-night parties on Saturday and Sunday. The social vibes were much lighter and the social experience was much better. Because of this, it is the most amount of dancing I've experienced since I started attending the event back in 2016. Not only that, I also received more dancing invites from women dancing partners than in any previous version of this event.

Participation
My involvement in this year's event is different from previous years.
The key part of my involvement was providing support behind the scenes. This includes monitoring to check everything is OK. When necessary, I would get involved on behalf of the event team members when specific situations occur. This includes providing guidance to a visitor, living with invisible disabilities related to how to approach dance workshops which does not causes risk to persons well-being.
In addition, I have assisted with packing with some of the equipment after the event has ended

Travel advisory guides

This year’s change of venue to the Eastside Rooms could pose challenges for visitors, especially those not travelling by car, due to road restrictions, pedestrianisation, and a complex public transport system in the city centre. Having attended the venue before, I'm aware of these challenges.

So I decided to provide assistance by creating a family of travel advisory guides to & from the Eastside Rooms. These incluldes detailing taxi options, public transport connections from Birmingham city centre railway stations (including the tram network) and bus services to the venue.

With permission from Latinmotion & Motion City, these guides were shared on social media and in a WhatsApp group for volunteers. Special thanks to Clerissa for sharing them within the local dancing community.
Printed versions were also displayed at the event's reception areas. Feedback from attendees was very positive, and many found the guides helpful.

Also special thanks to Mauricio and Brighon for permitting me to share my travel advisory guides

Read my article for details on developing the travel advisory guides

Sharing my dancing related to awareness developments
As well as attending & participating. I have done some networking to spread the word of Embrace Dancing, my dancing awareness feature to the event's key participants. Including Jean & Robert White from London's Manbo City, Moe Flex (Teacher and host of the live show at Motion City & NYE Fest and at different latin festivals around the world), Superdixion (Teacher and online radio host) and Davina, one half of the teaching dancing duo Merchant and Davina.
With the feedback, some people are interested in collaborating on some of the content I have developed for their dancing communities.

Find out by visiting my dancing awareness feature "Embrace dancing"

Conclusion
I felt the change of venue had brought the best out of everyone. Therefore, the social and dancing experience has been enhanced. To me, it fits in the objective of what should happen: meet people, dance and have a positive time. I've already shared my feedback
with the event leaders Mauricio, Jean, Robert & Zain.
Separately, I suggest to Mauricio that we need to find ways to transfer the positive experience at Motioncity to the Latinmotion's annual event, NYE Fest (The UK's largest Latin dancing New Year's event), which will take place at Birmingham's NEC.
Special thanks to everyone involved with this edition of MotionCity at its new home, The Eastside Rooms.

This article is linked with the follwoing categories

Find out about my dancing related involvement

by visiting the feature "Dancing Direction"

Notice to editors

Navigating Solutions

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 10:54:46 GMT

Developed for the event MotionCity (Latinmotion & Manbo City)

I have developed a family of travel guidance and information which enable seamless travel towards a location through a complexed transport system.

Background
For many years I have participated with the latin dancing convention Motion City. The most recent edition of this event has changed the venue The Eastside rooms.

Because of the change of venue for could be potentially challenging for some visitors and participants related to travelling towards the Eastside Rooms. This is especially for those who are not travelling by car, this is due to the road restrictions, pedestrianisation, trams through the City Centre and a complicated bus interchange system in the city centre. Also, because I have attended the Eastside Rooms previously I am aware that it can be a hurdle for some people to get to & from due to its location

Details
So I have the combination of research, my knowledge of the local transport network to develop a series of travel advisory guides to the Eastside Rooms. This includes specific Guides using Taxis, connecting transport from Birmingham City Centre railway terminals, direct connections from a City Centre bus interchange and other bus services which serve near the venue from neighbouring districts.

With permission from the team at Latinmotion & Motion City, these guides were available on social media on Motion City social media community pages. Also, it was shown to the encrypted WhatsApp group for volunteers. Special thanks to Clerissa for sharing these guides to the WhatsApp group for the local dancing community.

In addition, I provided the printed version of the connection guides, which were available on display throughout the event at the reception areas of the Eastside Rooms.

The feedback from the event visitors and participants was extremely positive and I found the guides extremely helpful.

Also special thanks to Mauricio and Brighon for permitting me to share my travel advisory guides

This article is linked with the following project catagories

Notice to editors

Birmingham Disability Festival 2025 Highlights

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:06:57 GMT

My visit to the second edition of the Birmingham Disability Festival which is part of the Disability Pride Month.

This year's event moves outdoors to the grounds of Aston University
The launch of this event included speeches from Aston University and the West Midlands Combined Authority including from the West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker. Also as part of the festival the combined Disability inclusivity manager Mark Fostbrook was part of the event and emphasis the importance of a long term strategy to make the West Midlands the exemplary region for disabled people.

The combined performances of singing, Comedy, poetry, freewheeling dance and live band from Queen Alexandra College and arial dance performance.

Select the photo gallery below

The exciting part of the festival includes procession around the ground of the festival by the local bhangra drums group which lead the procession.

There was over 60 exhibition stands from local and national organisations related to community, sports, clothing, support and many more.

The event also includes a human library and unique approach to understanding and inspiration.

The majority of the festival was outdoors and it was depending on the outlook of the weather. However due to the weather remaining dry the event was fully sustainable.

Despite the importance of this event in July, it is also to embrace disabilities all year round without stigma or closed minds.

This article is linked with

 Notice to editors

The Epic Story of Graffiti

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:12:03 GMT

A month long exhibition including special events through the lens of Henry Chalfant

Select the photo gallery below

This was developed and organised by Soul City Arts in conjunction with Birmingham Hippodrome presented a special exhibition at Birmingham's Bull Ring shopping mall. It was launched to the mark of the 10th anniversary of the B-sides Hip-Hop festival. Birmingham, is the only United Kingdom City to present this exhibition.

Select the photo gallery below

During the B-sides Hip-Hop festival, a special screening of "Style Wars", the legendary documentary of street art in New York in the 1970's and 1980's. The exhibition visualises different aspects of street art, a book was developed and was available to buy with extracts from the exhibition.

As well as a screening, a live Q&A discussion occurred. The discussion was led by Muhammad Ali Areosol, the Director of Soul City Arts with guests in person including Henry Chalfant & Carlos Mare.

I had the opportunity to ask a question to the panelists.

My question was

"How concerned with the potential threat on artificial intelligence (A.I) and how it could take away your authentic talent from the past"

Carlos responded and admitted he does embrace A.I with some of his recent work and projects. Because of my question did brought the discussion to a whole different level, there were many disagreements on how artificial intelligence and inspiration can be used related to street art. There was an overall viewpoint that unless you are able to know how to use artificial intelligence it could be a potential disadvantage for street artists.

Conclusion
This event was the largest exhibition I have seen and it was the best experience related to street art. Previously you would have similar exhibition with a small fraction and it was nowhere near the amount that was developed this time round.

Special thanks to Pritt Kalsi for his support which enable me to attend. Also special thanks to Soul City, Birmingham Hippodrome and for the B-sides Hip-Hop Festival for this event

This article is linked with

Notice to editors

I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022.

Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Birmingham Design Festival 2025 Highlights

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:44:12 GMT

Some highlights from the Birmingham Design Festival. This was my fourth visit since I attended in 2018 and previously in 2023 & 2024.

This event's theme was "Play" one of the key developments in developing high quality creative design.

Select the photo gallery below

"The Conference"
I attended the second day of the event which was the conference part of the festival at the city's Town Hall. The venue is known for hosting major events like music concerts, fashion shows and much more.

Because of my circumstances, I was not able to view the entire day's schedule

Keli Anderson was presenting her variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design with a preview of her new publications to be launched during the autumn. Combining the philosophy behind science, history and play. Using unique and relatable concepts using two-dimensional and three-dimensional items which also includes static images and animation

A series of ground-breaking graphics design, branding, visual art and motion graphics presented by Liza Emebeis . This was presented within certain factors including freedom, structure, parameters, freedom, risks, & trust.

Although there is a digital age which is trying to replace the traditional news publications, the Guardian's Design editor Chris Clarke demonstrates how editorial design has the relevance and the power to open the reader's mind behind the story. During his presentation. Chris admitted he is a Dyslexic, as a neurodivergent I had a brief conversation on the importance of embracing neurodiversity in the design industry.

An inspiration which shows two life design stories into a combination to strengthen an influence to others on social media and beyond. This was presented by Malika Favre & George Wu

Design is not all about sharing concepts to inspire but it also provokes a point or matter, with some matters which enable everyone to think about how to think and judge on certain matters. Javier Jaén presented some examples of his powerful projects to make people think beyond appearance and perceptions.

Armin Vit & Bryony Gomez presented their examples of their developments including their world online publication "Under Consideration" also examples of their publication and projects in the communities.

There was additional presentation talks. However, I was unable to watch and sadly I had to leave the event earlier due to my other commitments

Select the photo gallery below

Personal Perspective
One of the reasons why this event is so special is the importance of authenticity and integrity. This makes the event very valuable when meeting and networking with participants and attendees. Because of this it makes the visitor experience very sincere and without barriers.

Special thanks to Daniel Alcorn & Luke Tonge and the entire team to make the event possible.

Previous editions
You can view & read article of my previous article on previous editions of the Birmingham Design Festival

 This article is linked with

Notice to editors

Disability consultation Publications, second edition

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:08:07 GMT

For the second time, I was involved in a major participation, related to planned changes to how disabilities access benefits towards employment. This is due to the proposed government bill by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which could not only affect the benefits they receive but also help more people with disabilities access employment.

My role is to make sure considerations are made towards neurodivergent (including Hidden Differences) and not face a generalised approach and procedures. This is made with an objective approach related to access disabilities in employment.

Consultation Documents
From the proposal documents by the Department for Work and Pensions, I have developed a series of publications with analysis.

The main person focuses on the response to the consultation questions.
On the solutions and factors documents provide additional information along with suggestions and solutions.

The personal version of the two documents also includes examples of my personal experiences.
After the documents were completed for the DWP after my contribution to the consultation, a general public version of the two analysis and response documents was made. (The public version includes very limited examples of my personal experiences).

Some of the suggestions include embracing disability and neurodiversity in the same way that other diverse members of Society are approached. A suggestion of stronger joined-up thinking to make sure all disabilities, including neurodiverse, are not a disadvantage when visible in Society.

Embracing ambitious people who are talented and have many positive qualities. Also, to widen the overall approach, including supporting disabilities to start businesses and to access education and training based on their talent.

The featured publications are now available to view via the publications page
Select the link below.

The previous time I have developed materials as part of a major consultation for the DWP was involved was in late 2023 when not only did I provide some documents linked with the consultation but also attended face-to-face consultation events in Birmingham's Eastside Rooms.

 This article is linked with the follwoing categories

Second Dancing related Awareness Special

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:51:08 GMT

The second edition of the annual themed Dancing Awareness Special was developed online to coincide with two awareness events in April (including autism dance day and International Dance Day)

This edition focused on the theme "Unify Dancing, not divide".
The webpage provides an information summary on the importance of not dividing and excluding people with neurological difficulties.

Background
As a Latin dancing participant and attendee (of classes, events & conventions), I have observed major social changes with more dividing attitudes and shrinking patient levels of dancers at most dancing environments I have attended. This is sadly dividing me and other neurodivergent dancers away from many environments which goes against my purpose of attending and participating.

Also, there has been a lot of negative stigma against me and autistic people due to a horrifying incident by an autistic criminal offender at a dancing environment in 2024. Unfortunately, the stigma had led to an increasing amount of disrespect and segregation to the level where hatcher reduced my dancing presence. This is why I created this themed awareness special to encourage everyone to look beyond perceptions, stigma, and not use a person's difficulties or perceptions to divide and exclude from dancing environments.

This online special appears on both this website and on my awareness website "Plus Value Awareness"

More to come
In addition to the summary information, this online special will also include some original articles
also provides direct links to specific projects and blog articles

New blog: Everyone in dancing must break the dividing environments (soon)
A reminder of information and insight to reduce divisions in dancing environments

New Blog: Barriers at a major Dancing convention
An insight into sharing my personal experiences at major Latin dancing conventions.

Coming soon
New: Video promotion of Embrace Dancing

Original blog articles

New blog: Everyone in dancing must break the dividing environments
A reminder of information and insight to reduce divisions in dancing environments

New Blog: Barriers at a major Dancing convention
An insight into sharing my personal experiences at major Latin dancing conventions.

Further Developments to be made with extracts from this special webpage to be represented as a special series of social media templates (full status posts and vertical image stories) and video presented as video reels

Further possibilities could be made if this project could reach more people and more dancing communities.

Keep updated by following my social media profile

Visit the online special "Unify dancing not divide"

Available until March 2026

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature to explore my dancing related awareness deevelopments

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value Awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity

Transforming an integrated Awareness Feature is complete

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:32:37 GMT

A transformation in developing an online integrated feature (which includes Understanding, statistics & customised projects) is complete

Within the past 18 months, a process has been made to combine two separate online features into the new Awareness Focus feature.

This involves integrating content previously appeared on the Understanding series feature, (focusing on Understanding information and statistics ) as part of the expanded Awareness Focus Feature (which focuses on customised projects, information & articles)

The feature includes:
Customised sections
A family of customised mini index sections which present projects, information and articles focusing on customised areas of specific difficulties and diversity

Understanding webpages
A family of understanding webpages focusing on the human aspects of certain difficulties related to hidden differences. Including ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety. It also contains understanding information for PDA and women with hidden differences.

Statistics
Containing facts & figures for the UK & worldwide for ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety

The process
Redesign the customised sections
This includes redesigning the customised mini index and incorporating the new visual language design system. This affects pages including Autism Focus, ADHD Focus, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia Focus and Social Anxiety Focus

In addition, the customised projects webpage has been modified to improve links with the customised mini index pages.

Transferring understanding & statistics
The understanding & statistics webpages have been redesigned and gradually transferred to the new Awareness Focus feature presented as "The Guide" & "Facts & Figures"

Linked customised articles
Customised insight articles which focus on specific difficulties now appear within the customised mini index pages.

Expanding customised sections
The customised mini index pages were expanded to include Neurodiversity and Multicultural with Hidden Differences.

Design presentation
As part of the big changes, the new integrated awareness feature was redesigned with a new unified design presentation. This includes a new design language system to distinguish different areas of hidden differences along with different aspects of diversity. This involves the removal of the colour coding system after negative feedback from Neurodivergent and Awareness experts. The new design presentation appears on all pages of the Combined Awareness Focus feature, along with social media templates and online projects linked with customised & diverse areas of hidden differences.

Next step
Further plans to expand the Awareness Focus feature with more customised index pages including Diversity & equality, invisible disabilities and All disability editions

Visit the new Awareness Focus Feature via the Plus Value Awareness website

 This article is linked with

 Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value Awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity

Evolved Awareness Presenation online

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:13:33 GMT

An additional layer of visual presentation has been added on my awareness website (Plus Value Awareness website) & on social media.

The new communication presentation style is aimed to strengthen the message from the awareness projects and features are used in two factors. The style is to be updated annually and will compliment how Plus Value Awareness is currently presented online and on social media.

The currently concept of a combination of three dimensional triangle pattern with visual blends and additional imagery.

This is an addition to the existing presentation for specific purposes.

1. Social media presentation
The style of presentation is used as post templates with extracts from projects & features. This appears on selected post templates, stories and reels.

2. Redesigning existing projects online
The concept is also used to update the visual presentation to selected online projects.
Currently it is used to update the online projects

Aim Higher (Completed redesign)
Aim higher and to move on from seeking acceptance and to improve standards and ability.

Valuing Hidden Differences (Redesigned Soon)
Exploring different aspects in detail to value hidden differences

Positive Value (Redesigned Soon)
A starting point to value and embrace hidden differences as citizens

(However the new communication presentation later is not planned to redesign to every project online)

Other developments
As part of the Differences Originals features, the online webpages of the Elements of Value project have been redesigned. The updated look is pasting new Differences Originals presentation which is being gradually rolled out

Further examples will be developed and updated will appear on this article on social media.

Find out more

More details on the improvements by visting the Transformation section of Plus Value Awareness website

This article is linked with

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value Awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity

Online changes in supporting Awareness events

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:56:47 GMT

The amount of awareness content for supporting events is now reduced and is now more selective on which events with supporting content. Also some major online changes to the online feature "Events+"

This is because, since autumn of 2024, I had to pause all online & social media content due to my personal priorities. This means It was not possible to support every awareness event all year round. Instead, my awareness website, "Plus Value Awareness" is now selective on certain events to develop supportive content online & social media.

Summary of changes:
Online Specials
A family of individual web pages presented as online specials for supporting events has come to an end.

Because of planning a major expansion of this awareness initiative to develop a series of video reels (and changing trends of social media audiences), it is no longer possible to continue with the online specials linked with specific events.

Since November 2024 onwards, the majority of online specials for supporting events are no longer available.

The "Embrace Dancing" feature will continue to appear online all year round to support the annual events in April "Autism Dance Day and International Dance Day"

Blog articles and exclusive projects
The original family of blog articles for supporting awareness events will continue online. However, on occasions, it is not always possible to develop content for every awareness event.

Also, occasionally, specially-made project pages exclusively for supporting events will continue when necessary.

Video reels & stories
Coming soon a new expansion of original content on social media with a unique series of video reels & stories. This will be accessed from the "Events+" feature linked with the video on the social media profiles on Facebook & Instagram.

Accessing content for supporting events
Due to the end of the online special pages, any future specialised content will be accessed from Events+ features. Some of the content is also linked from the specialised index pages of the Awareness Focus feature.

The archived article is to be accessed via the Previous Events pages of the "Events+" feature. Coming soon, an expanding collection of focused archived content will be available via the Events+ feature.

Some changes affect the Events+ feature.
As well the end of the online specials, the web page supporting events linked to the specific online specials will no longer continue.

The awareness calendar will continue online; however, the direct links to the online specials are now removed.

Social Media
Extracts from the original content of blog articles and exclusive projects. Also, appropriate extract features online will appear.

Coming soon, a new family of video reels & stories will be presented for supporting events as either new unique videos or as extracts from blog articles and online projects.

The reason for the new changes

"It is essential to adapt to how most people consume content", and "Hopefully the new changes will reach more people much easier "

Visit the Events+ Information page for the summary of changes online related to supporting events.

 This article is linked with

Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety that is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Participated in a disability webinar with the Combined Authority

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:11:14 GMT

I was invited to participate in a special webinar on a disability related strategy by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

It is called "Designing a Disabled Voice" and it is linked to a publication and strategy to make the West Midlands the exemplary region for Disabled people.

This started with the introduction by Mark Fostbrook, Senior Policy Manager on Health & Disability at the West Midlands Combined Authority. He addressed the strategy on how the disability voice is to be heard as part of the combined authority's long-term strategy.

The attendance ranges from different community groups organisations related to support, guidance and other focused services for disabilities.

Focused converstaions
As part of the webinar, some focused groups were developed

On the question of my thoughts on making the West Midlands
I emphasise that if they were people who need to play a key role, we'll stop; however, I felt this can only happen with a structure of representative voices with key connections.

On how this can be done
Being heard, seen, and valued is important, especially for those who are not connected with groups and forums.

Further developments to come on how the feedback of the participants of the webinar can help shape the strategy on the short, medium & long term.

Towards the end of the meeting, I made suggestions

"Participants need to be in touch with each other to start the process now"

The is article is linked with the following catagories

My Particpation at the Q&A event to the West Midlands Mayor

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:55:02 GMT

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands

I attended and have taken part in a special Q&A event for regional citizens. This was for the Mayor of the West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and took place in the Gas Hall at the Museum & Art Gallery in the centre of Birmingham. This event was part of a series of events which also have taken part in other key districts and cities in the west Midlands metropolitan area.

I asked questions directly to the Mayor
My question to Richard Parker is the following
"I'm a neurodivergent person (autistic spectrum) & participant in awareness & dancing, as well as a designer. My question is what can be done to improve representation and social attitudes in my city & region including listening to our lived experiences"

The mayor has partly answered question but he responded political policies which did not cover all the issues I wasn't trying to say.

So I sent a follow-up email to Mayor an emphasize additional factors including social attitudes and behavior which I felt has got worse through my observations. I also felt that due to the recent news coverage I've got visibility are not well represented due to misinterpretation.

I feel they need to be a cultural and social change neurodivergent to discourage ableist, discriminatory, bullying and hatred towards me and others regardless of the difficulties anyone live with

I feel they should be a greater representation of neurodivergent people which effect their place Society

The importance to support neurodivergent into opportunities in education employment and enterprise start up against discrimination.

The Mayor responded:
"I want to acknowledge the concerns you outlined in your follow-up message. The issues you’ve highlighted are deeply important and reflect challenges that many across the region are facing. I understand the frustration and urgency behind them, and I am grateful that you took the time to bring them forward."

My details were passed to relevant teams within the combined authority to enable my voice & insight are listened and heard.

This lead to me being involved in a webinar organised by the Policy Manager for Disability and Health at the Combined Authority.

Find out more on details on my participation of the combined authority event "Designing a disabled voice".

 This article is linked with

Select the links below for more of these and similar developments

Notice to editors:
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label projects King Of the Beats, including filming and behind-the-scenes preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand, Plus Value Awareness, along with Differences Originals. I am also involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

My dancing barriers and obstacles at conventions

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:33:36 GMT

My personal insight

This blog provides insight into my experiences at the events Motion City (Organised by Birmingham's LatinMotion & London's Motion City) & NYE Fest (organised by LatinMotion). The events are major Latin-related dancing event located in Birmingham.

On this article, I will explain the barriers I have faced against my presence.

Social and dancing barriers
Both events are well organised with a collection of amazing performers and DJs, and a great experience with the classes I attended.
Despite the positive examples, I do face many barriers in the social atmosphere when attending these events, which has led to a reduction in my presence. See below for details.

Background

Beyond my control, I had to attend many fewer classes and parties in the past recent years. Not only does it cause a negative side effect when attending parties at conventions but also it has affected my dancing motivation. Sadly, due to the increasingly competitive social environment, I felt discouraged from dancing with anyone on occasion.

When dancing at environments, there is an expectation for the leader, who is usually the male, to have an adequate number of dance steps to be able to dance with the follower (who is usually a female). Due to my reduced presence, it has affected my ability to dance with confidence in a very competitive social environment.

Social presence Q&A

Why do I avoid watching live shows on occasions at part of a party night?
This depends on my surroundings & social circle. Despite all the performers fantastic, several times in the past, when I was on my own watching live shows, it has drained my dancing motivation. Especially when I cannot socially engage with anyone.
So when I have no social circle I am not visually as I either relax at the nearby bar or have an outside (depending on location and safety). The only acceptance is when I am watching a live show is when I am supporting performer who knows, understands & socially appreciates me.

Why did I not stay in the evening continuously on New Year's Eve?
This was to reduce the risk of negative mistreatment I faced previously.
(See my blog article, Dancing and Ableism, for details.)

The envrionment can be extremely stressful. There is, unfortunately, no sympathy if you become very stressed or have any anxiety. Also, there is a danger of being completely marginalised when this occurs. This can happen in a situation where you can be made to feel you shouldn't be around in the first place (this is the worst kind of feeling when attending).
Why I had to reduce attending classes & parties within the past 18 months to 2 years?
Being seen alone without a social circle can be seen as a negative burden to other attendees and as projecting negative energy. I have personal experiences this no matter how positive I try to appear. Because of this, I would face a higher risk of rejection when socialising or when asking a person to dance with.

What kind of stigma can occour
One example did not help my situation. during the party hours of New Years Eve I was approaching one of the event's key participant members to greet Happy New Year, a woman next to him rudely disrespected my presence. Due to seeing on my own, I was recognised as one of the volunteers, I received belittling remarks, "You only work here". I felt this comment downgraded my presence, although I made an effort to dress up for New Year's Eve.
Even though I have volunteered at these conventions does not mean it improves my sense of belonging socially.

Why didn't I stay around the midnight celebrations
As the main room is full & packed with attendees from the three other rooms of the event for the midnight celebrations, there is a risk of facing negative anxiety and mental health problems after the event has ended. If I am seen with no circle, it can be a nightmare. This has happened to me, too many times previously. So because of this, I am not visible at midnight celebrations to prevent negative barriers against myself

What other barriers occur
I constantly have situations when strangers rudely divide me from people I am socially engaged with. This doesn't just occur during the parties but also in between the events within the venue. Once, with one example, a woman interrupted me while I was speaking to a teacher. I was disrupted by the person I was engaging with, who was shouting and pulling the teacher away from me. Another example is when the other person distracts the person I am engaging with. They do this by tapping on their shoulder, which usually leads to situations when the person I was engaging with reacts with excited emotions. So many times when this happens, I have been made to either walk away from the distracting person or the person I was communicating with walks away without noticing my existence. This can wrongly undervalue my presence which not only divides me but also drains my dancing motivation.

Have these challenges been a major problem in the past
No, this only seems to have occurred since the Pandemic.

Why do you think there are social & dancing barriers
This is a general societal matter and it is not exclusive to dancing environments. I have observed since the pandemic that many people's mindset has a reduced patience and tolerance level. Through my eyes, this includes meeting new people, socialising and dancing. Sadly, this can lead to unrealistic expectations. In addition, there is no room for adjustments if you are a neurodiverse like me or live with specific difficulties which affect coping in these types of environments.

Find out more about a special analysis document I've written about how life has affected independent adults with specific neurological difficulties since the pandemic.
Download and read the document by visiting my awareness website Plus Value Awareness.

What can I do to change this?

Since 2023, I have developed a series of dancing awareness projects and content to enable inclusive dancing environments regardless of abilities and difficulties. This is linked with the awareness feature 'Embrace Dancing".
I was told in early 2024 "Be part of the change". So, for the year ahead, I am planning to increase my role as an inclusive dancing influencer for dancing communities (including Latin-related Environments).
Details on my plans to appear online at a later date.

What is my objective
If I can encourage others to modify how we judge and treat dancers of varying abilities and difficulties, then I feel it is a step in the right direction.
Keep updated by visiting the "Embrace Dancing" feature for further developments and on social media.

Useful links

Embrace Dancing

My dancing related awareness feature

Unify Dancing, Not Divide

This article is linked with the themed special throughout the year

Available Unitil March 2026

Dancing Direction

The online feature related to dancing related developments

Plus Value Awareness

Visit the Plus Value Awareness website for discover a range of projects for my awareness initiative for selected difficulties related to neurodiversity

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie

Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats, including filming and behind-the-scenes preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand, Plus Value Awareness, along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Embrace Dancing

The online special feature appears both on my personal website and on my awareness website (Plus Value Awareness).

Presenting a family of dancing relatives, awareness projects information and activities. The feature was created in April 2023 and originally developed to support the two awareness events, autism dance and International Dance Day. After the response on social media and online the embrace dancing feature became a permanent feature and as a first point to explore projects & information.

(Content on the Plus Value Awareness website)

"Inclusive to dance", the inclusion information project,

Dancing Inclusive pledges: a family for tips and gudance to encourge inclisive dancing envionments.

(Content on my website)

Including the mini feature Dancing Direction related to my dancing projects and involvement, special information and Latin dancing anniversary surpise

(Content from both websites)

Dancing activities to support the dancing awareness events in April, Dancing Inclusivity publications. Online links to the marketing videos & promotional materials to spread the word about the Embrace Dancing feature.

Everyone in dancing must break the dividing environment

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 08:57:13 GMT

The following information is related to Latin-related partner dancing Environments (Salsa, Bachata and many more). Also this article includle some examples of of my experences and perspective.

INTRODUCTION
Since the worldwide pandemic, I have observed and experienced a major problem which is affecting different dancing environments.

BACKGROUND
Unfortunately, I have observed an increasing amount of judgmental attitudes which are dividing the dancing environments at parties & major events. I have myself experienced this with receiving negative mistreatment. This is sadly partly due to discrimination against my difficulties and how I am misperceived. Also, when I face the psychological side effects of ableism and against any competitive dancing environments, I am often being taken advantage of against my presence. With these of these factors, I have been made to be less visible. This includes not attending social parties too regularly and not participating in freestyle dancing after classes unless I am very confident from the classes I have learned.

MY OBSERVATIONS
Depending on a particular location, I have also seen an escalating amount of impatience from attendees at classes, including at parties and conventions

In addition, I have seen an increasing amount of dancing environments appear more competitive at parties and festivals. Because of this, it makes it harder to approach people to dance, and it can drain anyone's dancing confidence.

MY EXPERIENCES
At social dancing after classes and parties, I have experienced dancing exploitation. For example, if I don't get my timing right to approach a woman to dance I will end up standing around the dance floors alone. This often leads to being rejected when asking a woman to dance. (This also occurs at parties and conventions)

I have also faced exploitation when dancing with a partner. Usually, when this occurs, the person would deliberately attempt to interrupt my dancing. This is done by making a different dance the opposite of what I attempted to lead. This is very disruptive to my concentration, and it occurs when the partner is either bored or tries to set me up to demonise me and damage my dancing confidence.

Due to how my difficulties affect me, it takes me longer to be motivated to dance at parties and conventions while trying to memorise dance steps to lead a partner. Unfortunately, this can be wrongly interpreted as having low confidence, shyness and lack of self-esteem. Within recent years this has caused negative harm against my presence. An example includes being rejected to dance due to how my difficulties affect my perception and appear below the standards of expected confidence.

Also, I face too many situations when certain people deliberately lure away the people I am socially engaging with. Because of the division and exclusion, I have noticed I am frowned upon and have been made to feel discredited just because of the difficulties I live with and being seen on my own for too long. This has damaged my dancing confidence and self-esteem within the past 18 months. This has sadly forced me to be less visible and reduce my attendance at the number of dancing events.

DIVISIONS FROM OTHER VOICES
The barriers don't just apply to me and the difficulties I live with. After listening to many voices locally and elsewhere, the dividing dancing environments have become more apparent in recent years. Some are related to misperceptions based on perceptions and interpretations of confidence. Some of my friends have reduced attending events for the same reason.

DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION
This includes facing offensive accusations of weakness or a lower-level dancer. I am expected to adapt unrealistically to the competitive dance environment. This is impossible which is damaging my confidence in my dancing and presence.

These examples I have written can have harmful effects on me and other people with similar difficulties, including mental health stress and ongoing anxiety.

THE CONSEQUENCES
There is a serious danger that dancing environments could be limited in the future to fast learners and those who appear very confident. This means more people are at risk of having their dancing confidence and social presence harmed.
Also, it can mean more people, including those with difficulties, could be excluded and be forced out or be less visible from dancing environments.
Ultimately, we could lose a vibrant and colourful social experience for everyone.

WHAT HAS TO CHANGE
Everyone needs to change their attitudes in how we judge & treat each other in dancing environments.

All attendees have a responsibility to not use vanity and perception to divide and exclude others (including individuals with neurodivergent and invisible disabilities).
Be more respectful and not use assumptions to disrupt or undervalue other people's dancing confidence and social presence.

Teachers, teaching assistants, event organisers and experienced dancers can also help by encouraging inclusivity, discouraging divisions, and, when necessary, intervening. Also, become more supportive when learning is challenging or when dancing environments are impossible.

POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD
See a person, beyond how they have the perceived
Have an open mind and make it effort beyond people you are familiar and confident with
Offer help and support if needed when somebody is finding learning or dancing environments overwhelming. Sometimes, it is just about having encouragement.

FINAL POINT
Everyone can play their part to break the divisions and have a vibrant and inclusive dancing environment

Written by Keith Mckenzie
For Plus Value Awareness & Embrace Dancing

Discover more about me

USEFUL LINKS

Embrace Dancing

My Awareness online special which empowering the positivity of inclusive dancing regardless of abilities or difficulties

Unify Dancing, Not Divide

This article is linked with the themed special throughout the year

Available Unitil March 2026

Plus Value Awareness

Visit the Plus Value Awareness website for discover a range of projects to value neurodivergent indivuals specifically with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

2025 Round-up edition 2

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Tue, 06 May 2025 20:53:38 GMT

Below is a round-up of several developments during March and April 2025

Awareness

New style Showcase awareness specials have started

As part of the online changes on supporting events on my awareness website, a new style showcase specials were launched. This was to coincide with the neurodiversity celebration week in March.

This involves creating a distinctive pop-up indexed link with an emphasis on the images linked with the content. Each link wet to the specifically creative insight blogs or specialised projects for supporting a particular event.

It appears on my awareness website within specific sections including that online feature including appropriate elements of the online fratures "Awareness Focus" (On understanding and customised content) & "Events+".

This replaces the separate web pages for supporting awareness events. This decision was made because the online audience is more interested in direct links to specific content.

A second version was created for supporting autism awareness events in April & June including World Autism Acceptance Month and Autistic Pride Day.

Content for International Womens Day

For this years annual event I have develop trial video reel. It containt a reminder of different factors to value and embrace women with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety

You can view the trial video reel on Instagram

Content for Neurodiversity Celebration Week

On my awareness website, I have develop a family of different insight and alnalysis blog articles. This inclules: not to use Neurodiversity as a diversity trend, and hpow neurodiversity needs to be more far reaching. As part of the same event I share some of my special developments featured on this website

You can access these and similar content on the Neurodiversity Focus section of the awareness website

Content for World Autism Acceptance Month

A family of specially made awareness content was made for this website and on my aweareness website

On this website I written articles though my persopnal experences and perspective. This incluldes not society needs to be less reactive for myself and other autitsic people. Also I express the importance of the improvements of social attitides in my area and region.

On my awareness wbeiste and wordpress blog I have written insight and analysis articles inclulding changing from the negative narrative, to encourage embracing instead of demonising and the imbalance of autistic people at employment. Also I share some of my special developments featured on this website

You can access these and similar content on the Autistic Spectrum Focus section of the awareness website

Content for Autism Dance Day and International Dance Day

See under Embrace Dancing title for details

Embrace Dancing

For supporting the annual dancing events (Autism Dance Day & International Dance Day) I have developed the second themed dancing awareness special. This edition is titled "Unify Dancing, not Divide", with the importance not to divide or exclude people from dancing related to differing ability or perception.

More content to added for the next 12 months under the same theme.

You can view the dancing awareness special on the Embrace Dancing webpage

The previous awareness theme title "Dancing with an open mind" is being converted into a downloadable resources for anyone in the dancing community and to be available online soon

Futher updates soon on this website

Special awareness meeting and an online feature of me with Autism West Midlands

I was invited to a special meeting with Autism West Midlands and was interviewed for a special feature online & on social media during World Autism Acceptance Month.

It includes aspects of my life and provides advice and guidance that inspire autistic people in the West Midlands region.

Participation

Transport linking awareness and education (virtual/video)
I have participated in an education and awareness project for Transport for West Midlands and the West Midlands Travel Safety Partnership. It is called the Neurodivergent Project, and I have provided top tips for a neurodivergent with transport user to remain safe while navigating the network and for guidance for front-line staff on public transport to make the journey experience easier. Because it addresses some details of my personal experts this video is not available for the general public and it is shared with staff and travel safety teams within transport for the West Midlands.

In preparation for the meeting and video interview, I have developed a series of interview scripts for me to refer to during the filming, and I have also developed an interactive share organizer file focusing on my experience and suggestions on travel related to using public transport in the West Midlands.

Creative

More illustrations and visual designs for supporting awareness events

Visual art and illustrations have been added to support some of the different awareness events during April and March, including Neurodiversity Celebration Week and World Autism Acceptance Month. Some design examples are featured as part of some blog articles featured on the Plus value awareness insight blog on WordPress with specialised articles through my perspective are featured on this website on the KMC blog page

View these and similar design on a creative webpage focus on illutrations on awareness topics

 An updated collection of dance class marketing

From the beginning of this year, I updated the presentation style to the dance class marketing for Salsa with Pauline.

Further details soon

Active

Attending Naidex & Ventrefest

For the second year, I attended the disability expo Naidex at Birmingham's NEC during Neurodiversity Celebration Week and during the International Day of Happiness. Through my awareness projects, I have networked with businesses like Lloyds Banking Group. ITV plc and Virgin Media O2.

I also had a brief visit to the business and enterprise event venture fest organised by West Midlands Combined Authority.

Special Developments

A special city legacy event at Birmingham's New Street Station

I attended a special event on the legacy of community projects since Birmingham hosted the commonwealth games. As I was a featured community participant for showcasing art city since the games it was important for me to network and share my developments and insight.

Addressing the coverage of the planned welfare reform

With the recent news coverage of the welfare reform which affects a variety of disabilities including neurodivergent people and those with invisible disabilities, I have addressed my concern to my local member of parliament on the stigma calls by specific cabinet
ministers of government and parliament along with the way the coverage has been addressed on the depressed and media which wrongly portray the variety of disabilities who face barriers into employment. I felt the coverage had too much of a one-sided perspective with a hostile tone that wrongly disrespects and punishes a person for the difficulties they live with and the obstacles they face.

During my attendance at the disability expo event Naidex, I addressed my concerns with one of the leading influences of disability awareness in the UK

Keep updated via this website and on social media.

A special city legacy event

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 01 May 2025 23:45:19 GMT

I experienced an unexpected showcase event at Birmingham's New Street station

The event organised United by 2022 the special event called "The Next Chapter", which presents various stories and developments on the legacy of a variety of community projects since the Commonwealth Games took place in Birmingham.

The event includes several exhibition displays on different aspects of achieved projects and development. That was a special audio listening area to listen to a special podcast on Birmingham's legacy since the Commonwealth Games.

I wasn't aware of this event being promoted, However, it was important for me to attend as I was featured in a related campaign to celebrate the legacy of Birmingham since the Commonwealth Games. So my purpuse to attend is to network with the team explaining my background and my intentions through my awareness projects & participation in Latin dancing and my creativity.

You can watch the video campaign featuring me during 2022 by selecting the links to Birmingham City Council's YouTube channel

For more details of my environment of the video campaign and my creative competition entry to Showcase Birmingham, visit my special online feature Beyond Commonwealth

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Special Developments & the online catagory Active

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Visit the Active index to explore developments related to attending evenbts and many more

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United by 2022
An evolution of the community and cultural projects linked with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham during 2022. It continues to provide projects as a legacy beyond the Commonwealth Games

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Travel safety educational video involvement

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:55:17 GMT

I was invited to take part and be featured in a video education awareness project with Transport for West Midlands. It is called the neurodivergent Project which enables detailed insight into lived experience and guidance within the staff within Transport for West Midlands, including travel safety-related teams.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT I HAVE SHARED
I was asked to provide some top tips that will help other neurodivergent people. Also provides some steps that can help a neurodivergent person this is within locations such as bus stations on buses, trains, metro customer service staff or elsewhere

Also, I provided some suggestions, including when a neurodivergent is having a bad day, being prepared for any scenarios, asking for help, acting facilities and how to modify depending on the environment. This includes understanding life challenges when a neurodivergent is facing discrimination or intolerance and impatient attitudes at busier times.

Because this video includes some of my personal experiences, this will not be available for the general public to maintain my confidentiality.

This was arranged by Michael Sandland travel safety officer manager and Cerys O'Shea travel safety intern both based at the West Midlands Safety Travel Partnership at Transport for West Midlands,

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West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership

A joint initiative between Transport for West Midlands, West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and the public transport operators in the area.

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Attended two events during Neurodiversity Celebration Week

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:28:19 GMT

Highlights of two different events related to enteprise and disability awareness during Neurodiversity Celebration Week in March.

VentreFest

Firstly attended VentreFest, the business and enterprise expo. The event was organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority and it took place at The Eastside Rooms

Naidex
The second year I attended the disability expo event naidex. The two-day event takes place at the NEC near Birmingham and includes exhibitions, live presentation talks, and interviews focusing on accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity of disabilities.

During my attendance, I have networked with my awareness projects and developments to organisations and businesses such as Lloyds Banking group ITV plc and Virgin Media O2. Using my awareness projects I communicated in how
my insight and context awareness initiative can benefit their organizations along with their customers and audiences

I also attended the National Rail stand focusing on accessibility, where I caught up with James Foxtall, the accessibility manager at West Midlands Trains, to update them on my transport awareness development and to talk about future awareness development with James related to the train services linked with West Midlands Railway and London North Western services.

I watched a small number of presentation talks on their Insight.

During this event, I met with Lucy Edwards, Disability Activist & Broadcaster and Amy Pohl, Disability Activist & Content Creator and watched their presentation conversation, which was interviewed by Dr. Shani Dhanda, Broadcaster, social entrepreneur & expert in accessibility and disability inclusion.

My Qustions to Lucy Edwards & Amy Pohl

It was an honour to ask both guests a question about their pursuit towards happiness as it was on the same day as the International Day of Happiness. Both guests were glad I asked that question because there's a difference between external happiness and internal happiness inside. Some examples that are mentioned are about their life goals such as raising the family
and I've been in their own space, including having a break on occasions from the cyber world, including social media.

Posing with Lucy Edwards & Amy Pohl

Just like last year when I had a brief with Roman Kemp from last year's event, this year, both Lucy & Amy did not know about the International Day of Happiness.

Summary
I also caught up with some great people who I met from previous events. Because of overlapping events, which were going on at the same time, my time spent with this year's event was reduced compared to last year.

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 Notice to editors:

My area must improve attitudes

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:01:31 GMT

For Supporting World Autism Acceptance Month

This document cover examples on my personal experences and perspactive

I have been an awareness campaigner for 25 years, a Latin dancing participant for nearly a decade, and a creative designer. I have lived in the West Midlands region and Worcestershire for most of my life. My region has gone through many challenges, changes, and transformations to make the importance continue where I live .

Education

I have studied art & design with futher & higher education in Herfordshire & in Northampton and have studied interactive design & digital mrketing in Birmingham

During the past decades, I have stepped up to change public perceptions through my awareness projects, including developing Plus Value Awareness. It was a privilege to be featured in a community legacy campaign for Birmingham since hosting the Commonwealth Games representing the autistic spectrum and Neurodiversity for my city.

Becoming a Latin dancing participant

Since attending latin related dace classes I have become a particiant including a dance classs assistant and a particiant at latin dancing conventions in & around Birmingham. In addition, I have developed a series of projects and publications to help improve a more inclusive dancing environment with my online feature Embrace Dancing .

Within recent years, I have been involved in several awareness projects, meetings, and videos for Transport for West Midlands to address travel safety matters which affect autistic and neurodivergent individuals when using public transport in the West Midlands region & beyond.

I've been involved in some autism awareness projects with the University of Birmingham, with one of the leading lectures at the school of education.

Elsewhere I have also developed other projects with leading awareness influncers and organisations including Autism West Midlands, Anna Kennedy Online and been involved with virtual events with London-based A2ndvoice run by Vanessa Swaby

Background
Despite all my progress, there are still ignorant and closed minds who are misrepresenting me & others with similar and other difficulties.

I have observed an increasing amount of prejudice and negative attitudes in public places and open spaces in the West Midlands region (which includes the rural county areas such as Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Herefordshire)

Within recent years I have seen some examples of good projects in the local community to help change perceptions. However, we still have a long way to go.
In early 2020, I have contacted the public authorities in my region, including local authorities and the police, to address the increasing amount of mistreatment and how it became a burden to my daily life.

The response when speaking out was extremely disappointing. Some organisations made a generic response including there's nothing they could do. Also I have recieved an unhelpful lecture from a local politian, which implies that my place in society was insignificant, which meant my voice won't be heard. One response was extremely offensive with dehumanising my experience, which implies that my difficulties are at blame by referring to the matter as a health and social care matter rather than as it should be treating me as an equal citizen.

Prejudice during World Autism Acceptance Month
Despite the month of April being the World Autism Acceptance Month, I received some disrespectful and prejudiced attitudes in public places and open spaces during April.

During the month of writing this article and within 24 hours in Birmingham City Centre, I had to face many disrespectful and offensive attitudes against me. This incluldes faced nonverbal discrimination. One woman in their 20s kept making hands behind the back gestures to imply that I should be locked up due to their disapproval. Later on in the evenings, when a male & female couple notices me nearby, they keep making a persistent mockery, nonverbal exaggerated mockery associated with different examples of disabilities. This includes exaggerating shoulder march, bending their backs up and down and exaggerating swinging arms while laughing.

A few years ago, also during World Autistic Acceptance Month in Birmingham City Centre, I was rudely interrupted by a man nearby when I was being served at a major supermarket who disrespected and attacked my communication skills. Not only was this person rudely intruding on how I was communicating with a member of staff at the newsagent, but also rudely interrupted and accused me as a lower class and rudely suggested that I just have an elocution class.

Elsewhere at a rail station at Worcester two teenagers were trying to humiliate me at the platform but kept laughing at me and kept making launching noises continuously. This was a stigma judgement related to mental health stereotypes. Despite there being plenty to witness, evety turned a blind eye to this hurtful & ableist harassment.

I have seen many public campaigns in my city and region against different kinds of discrimination, including racism, sexual harassment, misogynist behaviour, and hatred against religous backgrounds and those with LGBT communities. However, I haven't seen a single campaign in my region against discrimination and hatred towards any type of disabilities or difficulties.

Stigma being black and autitsic

I often received negative suspicions linked with sterotypes of mental health and those with multicultural backgrounds.

The consequences
If we do not change attitudes people like me and others will always be made to feel that we should never be permitted to integrate because of laziness and ignorance. It will mean many people on the autistic spectrum would be forced to live with exclusion and separation.

These examples can damage any autistic person's livelihood and life opportunities in employment education, having positive and fulfilling relationships, being inclusive in Society and having positive and stable health and well-being.

What has to change
Communities and public authorities must stop seeing the autistic spectrum as an insignificant member of society.

Stop dehumanizing autistic people when addressing serious matters and value them as an equal citizen. This means taking an autistic person's voice seriously on matters that affect their lives must be acted on and not making fashioned excuses to face the division of majority and minority.

The solution
Voices of autistic people must be listened to and taken seriously with respect and compassion.

Stop using care separation & segregation as an approach.

Find sensible solutions to improve autistic places in Society

Develop campaigns and programs against discrimination and hatred in an equal way over diverse groups in Society.

Final point
We cannot continue the culture of broken hearts because of ignorance and typecasting casting. We have to do better by valuing autistic people in society.

This article is linked with

Visit the Awareness index to explore

Visit the Plus Value Awareness website for discover a range of projects for my awareness initiative

Coming Soon
An special online feature to mark 25th Anniversary of my awareness projects

Special article of me during World Autism Acceptance Month

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:54:45 GMT

As part of my 25th anniversary of developing awareness projects, I was invited to a special meeting at the headquarters of Autism West Midlands.

As part of the meeting, I was interviewed for a special article on myself as part of the charity's special feature for supporting the charity's World Autism Acceptance Week during early April.

The article covered different aspects of my life & awareness journey including my background, my education and my awareness projects.

The aim is to inspire Autistic people in the West Midlands region about possible life opportunities, regardless of their difficulties, age or background. This was promoted on Autism West Midlands online and on social media channels

You can view the special article of me via the Autism West Midlands website

Examples of support and my projects with Autism West Midlands
I have accessed Autism West Midlands since I was dignosed Asperger Syndrome and have access many services (including Outlook - the community support & Aspire - the employment scheme). The charity has support my awareness projects for many years including
The Asperger Syndrome Survey
Enhancing lived experenced voices in the region.

Brighter Future
My understanding visuao art projects was featured in a exhbition to promote the predesessor of world autism acceptance month with University of Birmingham
One of the designs from this project was feature as the cover designs for autism west midlands annual report.

Creative projects
I have developed a number of projects for Autism West Midlands including an employers certificate, greeting card for trainees of the employment scheme and greeting cards for the festive season on three consecutive occcasions.

Posing with Henry Webster, Operations Manager at Autism West Midlands

Special Thanks for Henry Webster and Joanne McConville for the including me for this awareness special on their website and social media channels.

 This article is linked with

Visit the Awareness index to explore

Visit the Plus Value Awareness website for discover a range of projects for my awareness initiative

Coming Soon
An special online feature to mark 25th Anniversary of my awareness projects

Notice to editors

Autism West Midlands
The region awareness charity for autistic people, family and communities thoughout the region The area the charity covers including Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire & Worcestershire.

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (incl uding Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year in Birmingham's for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Insight: Be wiser and avoid being reactive

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:54:29 GMT

For supporting

World Autism Acceptance Month

This article is part of the 25th Anniversary since the I have started awareness projects and activities back in 2000

In the past, there has been a lot of stigma for myself an an autistic and neurodivergent person with a multicultural background

MY EXPERIENCES
I have faced several challenges and obstacles which enable other people when other multicultural individuals to disclose and enable them to understand my difficulties. This also applies on occasions with general society.

EXAMPLE OF STIGMA IN MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES
Hiding Behind The Labels
One of the frequent examples includes being accused of hiding behind my difficulties or trying to be accused of hiding behind a label. This is a term that wrongly accused me of not taking responsibility.

Lacking pride or confidence
Some people will respond by disregarding my difficulties and patronising accusations that I lack any pride when it comes to disclosing or enabling others to understand me.
I have also been given some unhelpful responses to having some confidence in myself. This would happen if a person disregards my difficulties against any requirement that I would find impossible due to my difficulties.

Unrealistic Expectations
Another example is when other people make critical arguments with remarks that my difficulties are not an excuse for what may struggle with unrealistic pressures to have neurotypical thinking and abilities. This leads to situations in which I am accused of not trying hard enough against the difficulties I live with.

Disrespectful judgement of my difficulties whether I've disclosed or not
Regardless if I have disclosed my difficulties or not, one of the embarrassing and stigmatising problems is when a person notices how many struggle or responds differently to how the other person would face unnecessary criticism without understanding the difficulties I live with. Examples of this matter include being criticised for remembering people's names even though I live with sought to memory difficulties. Also, when networking at a major business event, a CEO wrongly disrespected my communication skills even though I had disclosed my difficulties from the outset.

However, through my observations, I have noticed this example is getting worse. I have faced unplanned intervening lecturing.

I have experienced this myself from strangers who don't know me making false perceptions and not aware of my difficulties and how other people misperceive me

Some of these examples are examples I have been treated over the years. Sadly this sort of disrespect for and perceptive judgment has now worsened.

EXAMPLES OF STIGMA IN GENERAL COMMUNITIES
When I am visible with general communities in public spaces and open spaces, it can be very embarrassing as a black male on the autistic. With being constantly made to feel ashamed regularly. For example, if I'm using my human rights to speak up against something that is not right, I'm automatically seen as awkward. If I am seen as upset I am automatically seen as aggressive or a danger. When I'm standing up for myself I'm automatically seen as an irritant. If my difficulties are noticed by others I'm automatically seen as either lazy or nuisance. When I am struggling or seeking help I am automatically seen as a leech.

THE CONSEQUENCES
If we do not intervene and change attitudes and social behaviour on this matter, it won't mean many multicultural people like me with autistic and neurodivergent-related differences will always become excluded from many opportunities and be excluded from certain parts of society. Also, the effects of constant mistreatment can harm a person's interpersonal abilities, social skills and confidence. It can also harm anyone's confidence and self-esteem.

WHAT HAS TO CHANGE
Cultural change must happen within the multicultural & general communities and stop reverting to old-fashioned perceptions that a person's difficulties are a form of embarrassment and a liability.
This means stopping demonising, disrespecting or disrupting a person for difficulties they live with. Move away from false assumptions through perception and typecasting.

Also, we must not stop pressurising multicultural people with hidden differences related to unrealistic expectations, as it could cause disruptive and harmful implications against instability and circumstances.

POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD
Have an open mind when you know someone who lives with specific difficulties, including when they have disclosed understanding information.

Think before you judge or interview anyone who doesn't understand.

FINAL POINT
Everyone in the all communities must stop shaming, be respectful, patient and value mine and other people on the autitsic spectrum's existence

Written by Keith Mckenzie

Find out more about me

RECOMMENDED PROJECTS
From the Plus Value Awareness website

Autistic Spectrum Focus
The online feature which contains customised information and projects

 Valuing Hidden Differences (Autistic Spectrum Version)
To improve understanding and to value an Autistic Person

 Autistic Achievers
A summary list of achievers and role models with the Autistic Person

 Positive Value
The starting point of valuing a dyslexic person and other hidden differences as citizens

 Higher Aspirations
The special introductory feature on the importance of looking beyond understanding and acceptance

 Advantage
The information project focuses on positive attributes and possibilities at work, education, and command of the rest of society.

Coming Soon
An special online feature to mark 25th Anniversary of my awareness projects

INFORMATION
Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious

This article is linked with

Visit the Awareness index to explore

Visit the Plus Value Awareness website for discover a range of projects for my awareness initiative

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Featured on a travel safety awareness video

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 23:15:57 GMT

I was invited to a special awareness video where I would get safer transport related to using public transport.

This was for a special campaign by Transport of the West Midlands and National Neurodiversity Training addressing different factors on how to improve safety when using public transport.

The video interview featuring me was for "National Neurodiversity Training" CEO, Iveta Pudilova at a special awareness event called "Time to talk" focusing on transport safety, organised by West Midlands safer transport partnership, Transport for West Midlands & "National Neurodiversity Training" at Birmingham's Snow Hill. The video also featured other voices on their public transport experiences at the University of Birmingham

You can view the video via the "Happy Autistic Lady" social media profile on Instagram

The video is produced by National Neurodiversity Training in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands and West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership

I am not responsible for the content of the content on the link provided.

Useful Links
Find out more on attending the "Time to talk" event at Snow Hill Station by visting my article Transport Awareness Developments.

This article is linked with

 Visit the Special Developments index with a selection of my specialised developments and involvements

Notice to editors

Transport Awareness Developments (Early 2025)

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:36:56 GMT

Updated 26th March 2025

You can view the video via the "Happy Autistic Lady" social media profile on Instagram

The video is produced by National Neurodiversity Training in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands and West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership

I am not responsible for the content of the content on the link provided.

This article show some transport-related developments which I have been involved with since the beginning of 2025.

It includes attending a transport safety event and speaking to two key leaders linked with a public transport authority between two departments.

Face-to-face with Paul Franks
A day after New Year's Day (2nd January 2025), I had a catch up meeting with the Transport for West Midlands Safety Manager Paul Franks. This was our first meeting in seven months since we last saw each other at a Transport Focus public meeting in Birmingham along with the Chief Executive Anne Shaw in May 2024

I was providing some updates on my previous developments including being in contact with the accessibility managers at National Express and West Midlands Trains. Also, I have provided an update on my contact with the Disability Policy Manager, Mark Fostbrook and my involvement in a disability hate crime research group in Birmingham.

"Time to talk" event
A special transport safety event is co-organised with Transport for West Midlands and the awareness organisation Happy Autistic Lady, which is a Community Interest Company.

During this event, I met several people on public transport and specifically travel safety aspects. The people I met during this event include: Paul Franks, the Travel Safety Manager at Transport for West Midlands; Cerys O'Shea from the West Midlands Safety Travel Partnership; Iveta Pudilova from Happy Autistic Lady CIC & National Neurodiversity Training; Steve McNutt the Stations Manager of West Midlands Trains and Mark Watkins Communications Officer at West Midlands Police.

In addition, Iveta invited me to participate in a video interview related to safety matters on public transport in the West Midlands region. It covers certain aspects of safety and the steps forward on what needs to be improved.

The awareness video featuring me will be featured online via Transport for West Midlands, Happy Autistic Lady & National Neurodiversity Training during March. (Further details soon)

In addition, I spoke with Paul Franks about the issues of passenger information and signage related to navigating passengers through Birmingham City Centre and the matter of navigating and connecting to different parts of the city centre to required destinations in the West Midlands. I demonstrate some different examples around Snow Hill Railway station and the Snow Hill Bus interchange nearby which is located near the Birmingham Cathedral. This leads to Paul passing my details to the signage manager to write a face-to-face meeting on this matter.

Awareness meeting with the signage team
In March I met with a person who has a very important role related to passenger information in the West Midlands meeting. A meeting was arranged with Craig Shipley, the manager for signage and passenger information at Transport for West Midlands. Joined by Craig's staff member, we discussed different factors at Birmingham Snow Hill station and nearby at the Snow Hill Bus interchange near Birmingham Cathedral. I cover different aspects, including connectivity, navigating from A to B, travel choices or preferences, and other factors.

Using my experience as a neurodivergent public transport user and my observation the overall objective is to make sure a passenger understands how to navigate to the right location to travel to a particular destination.

Connecting around
Birmingham City Centre has an interconnected family of public transport locations, including five different major bus interchanges with three major railway terminals and around six tram stops. I addressed some of the challenges on how some aspects can create barriers and also certain aspects of passenger information and mapping need to be embraced. I also address a concern about the removal of a major integrated public transport information point, which was a useful starting point tool to understand which location you need to go to the appropriate starting point in the city centre to travel to the required destination. This was taken down and replaced by the large animal sculpture of a bull, featured during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

Between myself and Craig, we addressed what are the possible ways forward. Also with some of the major changes to sign it with some of the bus stops in this city centre I said the suggestions to improve the connectivity between the different bus interchanges in the city centre.

The other aspects I addressed included expanding the passenger's choice and possibly passengers who are non-regular users locally and those who are visiting the city and region. My intention is to find ways to embrace this further to make it easier for everyone
to navigate the city centre and the region. I also communicated the importance of integrated signage between different travel modes from the same location

I will provide a follow-up by developing a suggestion publication for Craig and the team at Transport for West Midlands to develop some useful solutions and possibilities forward.

Neuro divergent project
I was invited to take part in a special transport awareness initiative by Transport for West Midlands. I had an initial virtual meeting with Cerys O'Shea from the West Midlands Safety Travel Partnership, Iveta Pudilova from Happy Autistic Lady CIC & National Neurodiversity Training along with Michael Sandland the Travel Safety Officer Manager at Transport for West Midlands. We were addressing factors in preparation for a fourthcoming video interview, which I will be participating. This is related to my personal experience as a neurodivergent public transport
user.

I will provide further updates online and on public transport at a later date.

Visit my awareness website Plus Value Awareness to discover my awareness proejcts for hidden differences 

 This is Linked with

 Notice to editors

Participated with a Hate Crime event

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:25:06 GMT

Please Note:
Because of a serious matter which occurred when participating, the organisation's name will not be mentioned in this article. Further details are near the bottom of this article.

I was invited to take part in a specialised focus group addressing issues and lived experiences related to hate crimes on public transport.

This occurred by a half-day event organised by a nationwide care provider.
During the day the provider presented their research findings with different examples of lived experience and expressions on this matter. In addition, they included in their research the statistics on disability hate crime reporting in England and Wales.

From the findings, the report numbers of disability hate crimes were reduced from the previous year. However, part of their questions only made a conclusion that this is not the same as my recent experiences on public transport.

Other examples they addressed include how buses are more frequent for disability hate crime than any other travel mode. How women experiences more crimes in comparassion to men, transgender or non-binary people. They also asked if the level of under reporting to the police is surprising and have addressed what are the main challenges.

As part of the research, it also includes the challenges when reporting to the police examples of lived experiences in different travel modes on trains, trams, underground as well as buses, along with suggestions that should be improved.

Analysis document
I will be presenting some of my experiences in a special insight and analysis document on this matter. This will be presented to transport operators and authorities when the publication is completed. A special version of this document is to be developed for everyone to view online. For confidential reasons, it will not include my personal experiences. Instead, this version of the document will focus more on my analysis and the bigger picture through my observations.

Watch out for further updates on this website and via social media

My involvement is linked with

 Visit my awareness website Plus Value Awareness to discover my awareness proejcts for hidden differences

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Despite taking part in the research group in Birmingham in November 2024, I had to discontinue my involvement due to the appropriate mistreatment by the provider. The organisation failed to treat me with dignity as the team associated with the research group has mistreated me inappropriately as unintelligent & a nuisance. Despite that I was very conscientious and considerate within a group environment when attending, I was wrongly shunned inappropriately for the wrong reasons. Also, I find the correspondence from one of the member of staff from the organisation was quite over-persistent and unnecessarily pressurising.

I was due to participate in the second part of the research group in January 2025, but the organisation deliberately excluded me without explanation. I conclude that the organisation and the team involved were discriminatory. Because of this, I made a complaint against the organisation and have notified the transport acessible manager who invited me to this event.

In conclusion, I expect very high standards when I contribute to an event. Especially when sharing my life experiences. I expect to be treated with dignity and valuing my human rights. I felt the organisation failed these important standards.

Since my complaint, I felt that the organisation had not listened to my voice enough and on the time on completing this article the organisation has failed to respond to my satisfactory. Therefore, I had no choice but to no longer participate with this organisation.

2025 Round-up edition 1

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:14:49 GMT

S everal developments during January & February 2025

Awareness
Further transformation progress of Awareness Focus
Further progress has been made in transforming the understanding and specialised online feature. Certain understanding information pages as being updated including pages for women with hidden differences and PDA pathological demand avoidance

Explore the new look information and understanding webpages on the Plus Value Awareness Website

Participation
Transport safety meeting & event
To start the new year, I attended transport-related meetings and events related to awareness and understanding the challenges of a neurodivergent related to safety on public transport.

"Time to Talk" event

I attended and participated with a transport safety event organised by Transport for West Midlands and Happy Autistic Lady C.I.C. I alaos particpated in a campign video addressing my summary insight on safety travel on using public transport in the region

Find out more by selcting the link below

Creative

Interactive Organiser

I have made an additional version of the interactive organiser (which I have designed), which enabled me to volunteer at the UK's largest Latin-related New Year event. Because of my expanded role, the organiser I created was expanded to include additional supervisory duties.

Find out more on the the interactive organiser

Marketing Video trial

I have produced a further series of video promotional trials. It was started in December 2024 when I developed a series of video reels to promote my festive online feature, which I present every year, along with a mini celebratory feature which marked 21 years since I started a special series of Creative designs for the festive season.

Then, I also developed a video promotional trial to encourage people to explore my dancing awareness feature, "Embrace Dancing".
This was shared on New Year's Day when attending the Latin dancing convention NYE Fest.

Further details soon

Creative, Awareness & Active
NYE Fest highlights
I attended and participated in the UK's largest Latin-related New Year event. My volunteering role was expanded to include supervisory duties.

Special

Awareness Representation publication

Started From late 2024, I have developed a specialised insight and analysis document. This relates to the issue of misrepresentation towards visible disabilities and neurodivergent individuals. This was made after I had taken action against stigmatising and offensive remarks by high-profile people, including cabinet politicians and a disgraced television persona lity.

The Representation document is available to view online

 Keep updated via this website and on social media

Some changes to the special awareness feature

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:47:11 GMT

Some changes are being developed with my online awareness feature linked with specialised and legacy projects since 2000.

The feature "Differences Originals" is evolving with improvement and with a new expansion.

New Look

As part of transforming the family of awareness projects, campaigns and features, the "Differences Originals" is receiving a new look, which includes a new flexible visual identity centred around the eclipse visual shape. This will be gradually rolled out to all Differences Originals projects and campaigns.

New Project

To coincide with the new look, a new information project is launched. It is titled " Smarter Understanding " to look beyond conventional aspects of understanding and to encourage to be smarter to enable a person with hidden differences to be valued and respected.

This project is now available to view via the Plus Value Awareness Website

(Opens in a new window)

Visit the Combined Projects page on the design presentation of the project

Coming soon
The " Differences Originals " feature will be expanding and evolving with a new expressive element. This will present projects and visual art with a greater emphasis on expressions.
This will appear on this website & the "Differences Originals" Facebook page . The existing "Differences Originals" feature on the Plus Value Awareness website will remain unchanged focusing on the projects with greater aspects of information.

Social media changes
The "Differences Originals" page on Facebook will become the exclusive home of legacy projects since 2000 along with an expressive angle from my perspective and observations of the general projects (including selected plus value awareness projects)

Summary
The changes aim to widen the approach to presenting information and projects and widen the awareness of the audience and those with an open mind. This is because some people prefer certain awareness aspects to be very simple without compromising attention.

More developments to come. In the meantime, watch out for further updates by following plus value awareness on Social Media via Facebook, Threads and Instagram.

Also, visit the transformation index of the Plus Value Awareness website to discover some of the improvements to the awareness initiative (including projects and features)

Visit the Differences Origianls index page on the Plus Value Awareness website to discover a collection of specialised awareness projects

Linked with

Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety that is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Differences Originals
My online feature (prevously known as Differences & Autism Challenge) contains a family of specialised projects with a different perspective compared to the general Plus Value Awareness projects. Also, Differences Originals presents a family of legacy projects created by Keith Mckenzie Since 2000 and was part of Plus Value Awareness in 2015.

 The article is an update from the orginal article on 28th August 2024

Welcome - My new online home with more to come

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 20:55:29 GMT

Welcome to the new online home for my main website!

Using the Duda website builder, this platform will feature fresh content and updates starting from January 2025, marking an exciting new chapter.

Previous Content & Updates
Rest assured, all prior content and updates will remain available on my previous website for the time being.

Transitioning Previous Content
I am in the process of gradually transferring previous content and updates to the new site. While it's a significant task, I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition.

Reasons for Change
I have decided to migrate from Weebly to Duda to overcome various challenges and barriers associated with content updates, enabling a more streamlined and efficient experience.

Improvements Overview
The creative and active section will see an expanded and redesigned photography gallery, providing a fresh visual experience.

Introducing the KMC Blog!

This integrated blog will merge seamlessly with the separate blog on my current site. Additionally, past content from KMC Update, KMC Life, Fever Extra, and Developments Blog will be incorporated here gradually.

Expressive Awareness (Coming soon)
In the new awareness section, I’m excited to launch a mini-feature showcasing a range of expressive awareness projects, reflecting my personal journey as a neurodivergent individual.

Awareness 25

I look forward to a special celebration in 2025, marking 25 years of my awareness initiatives. Watch out for special projects this year to mark this occasion.

Other changes to my online features
The changes include the feature "Combined Projects", which will also find their home here. The Visual Showcase feature will be phased out, and the creative portfolio will be integrated into a new creative index page along with a dedicated creative development webpage.

The features "Embrace Dancing", "Dancing Direction", & the new version of "Commonwealth Legacy" are now available on this new website.
Please note the feature Commonwealth Legacy is now rebranded as "Beyond Commonwealth".

Further details & updates
For more details on the new website, visit the special information page outlining these changes. This is also where I’ll keep you updated on the latest developments.

 Follow my social media channels for continuous updates as I bring this vision to life!

Round-up towards New Year's Day 2025

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 01:32:26 GMT

The following information below shows a summary of developments and projects during the remaining months of 2024 from October through to New Year's Day 2025.

Creative
A new style presentation design was developed for a new style information awareness Project "Smarter Understanding" This is part of redesigning the awareness feature differences originals
New details soon

December marked a special 21st anniversary since developing original and stylish creative Christmas designs. To coincide with this occasion, a special online special is developed to enable online visitors to explore different creative examples over the years. Also, a special creative montage to celebrate the 21st creative festive year.

As part of the same creative festive year, a new combined design was made, which is featured as part of the presentation of the festive online feature, which was available for December and into the New Year.

12 months after designing an interactive digital organiser for volunteering for Latinmotion NYE Fest , an updated version was developed. This document was expanded and involved; this coincides with my expanding role as a point of call role (a mini supervisory duty for all volunteers on the same timescale).

Find out about my volunteering organiser via visting the volunteering page

Awareness
I have started to redesign the awareness online feature Differences Originals as part of transforming my awareness website.
As part of the new changes a new information project became online.
See under Combined projects details of the new "Smarter Understanding" projects.

Major changes affecting the awareness feature for supporting events
Major changes have been made in developing content for supporting awareness events. Due to focusing more on connecting awareness matters with communities & society, I had to limit the number of events to support and be more selective in developing content for supporting events.

For the third year in a row, a special advisory feature was made for selected neurodivergent families friends and direct contacts during the festive season on the Plus value awareness website

When attending the UK's largest Latin dancing New Year's event, I shared a special "Embrace Dancing" awareness campaign video for dance teachers & key participants at Latinmotion NYE Fest. This was shown on New Year's Day. The was recieved with some positive feedback.

More details soon

Participation
Disability hate crime research group
I took part in a research group focusing on disability hate crimes on public transport. This was provided by the support provider United Response.

Latinmotion NYE Fest

I have volunteered for the UK's largest latin dancing new year event. My role was expanded with supervirosry duties.

See under the active heading for details of my environment of a special thank you salsa event

Active
I explored several events to either network or learn different insights.
SIC Conference
The day-long event to showcase Neurodiversity with career and enterprise aspirations

Benjamin Zephaniah Exhibition
Located outside the Art & Design (Parkside) campus of Birmingham City University, a presentation of large-scale displays on the life & aspects of a legendary poet & writer.

Social Economy Showcase
The special conference and seminar to showcase leaders and key people in social enterprise in Birmingham, West Midlands and beyond.

Birmingham Design Festival Christmas Social
The special networking and social event from the team at Birmingham Design Festival.

In October and November, I attended different events organised by the digital software Adobe.
Adobe Live focuses on designers who showcase their projects using the software Adobe Express.

Adobe Express marketing was a day-long workshop and presentation presented by professional designers and influencers on behalf of Adobe. My intenstions for attending is to find out to develop what can be possible using Adobe Express and also provide a series of workshops on how to use the software.
Both events took part at the Custard factory in Birmingham

Select/Combined projects
Marketing for the salsa thank you event
A special version of marketing materials for the community dancing class in which I participate. This was promoting a special evening to show thanks and appreciation to everybody who has shown their support for the community-based salsa classes with different classes across different communities in Birmingham since 2018.

A new information awareness Project as part of transforming the awareness feature Differences Originals. The "Smarter Understanding" presents a summary overview of challenging the conventional approach towards awareness and understanding along with my awareness developments. This replaces previous projects, "Moving Forward", and a sense of value.

More details soon

Special Developments
Following an article featured in The Telegraph newspaper in December 2024, I took action. The story headline wrongly stuck with ties every autistic man. This was regarding the disgraced television personality Greg Wallace, who made offensive remarks to think he's inappropriate behaviour with the autistic spectrum.

The action I took against the Telegraph newspaper is part of a wider problem with misrepresentation, especially for those with invisible disabilities, neurodiverse individuals and those living with anxiety. I wrote an insight analysis document on the representation of disabilities and difficulties related to public authorities, government, parliament and the media.

Read my article for details

In December I was developing a series of social media videos with trailing short video extracts & promos. Focusing on the content linked with my annual festive, specific greetings and promoting my awareness dancing feature Embrace Dancing. The Embrace Dancing video promo was shown to some of the key participants of the UK's largest latin dancing New year event (Latinmotion NYE Fest)

Read my article on the event NYE Fest

 Linked with

Special thank you salsa event

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 23:54:22 GMT

I was part of a special celebration event linked with the classes I have participated in.

The community dance classes "Salsa with Pauline" presents a special "Thank You" night in December 2024 at the Heartlands Social Club in Nechells, Birmingham to show special thanks and appreciation to everyone who has showed their support and appreciation since the classes began 6 years earlier in early 2018.

During the event, I assisted in teaching the newcomers and with dancers at the beginner level. As part of the night a specially extended social party and with special guests DJ's for the night.

This became the busiest gathering with large numbers of attendees.

As well as my participation, I also provided the marketing for the event with a special gold theme with celebratory visual effects. The layout of the posters with a new expansive concept to enable greater flexibility.

Context

Salsa with Pauline was created by developed Pauline Caffrey in 2018 with classes started in Perry Barr area of Birmingham at the Broadway Dance Centre. It began as a Saturday morning classes and exapnded to Sunday Mornings laterin the same year. Because of high number the Saturday classes moved to the Soho area at the Reminece Social Club. During the pandemic the Reminece Social Club closed down. During 2021 onwards Saturday classes returned to Broadway Dance Centre for a few months, then in the autumn the Saturday classes Moved to Lozells at the St. Pauls & St. Silas Church. In July 2023 the Friday Night Special was launched in Nechells at the Heartlands Social Club in Nechells. There was trial during the late autumn of 2023 for Wednesday classes at the Cape Hill area. In April 2024 the Saturday classes moved to Nechells for a few months. The in mid 2024 the classes focuses on Fridays night only. I participated with the majority of the venues (except the trial classes at Cape Hill)

It is an honour to be a regular patricipant to this commumity based dance classes since when the classes began

Find out more on my participation with Salsa with Pauline by selecting the links below

Visit the Participation page on my dance class assistant role

Visit the Creative pages on my marketing role for promoting the classes on social media

Additional features to explore

Visit the Dancing Direction features on a summary of my dancing related projects and dancing classes and events I participate with.

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature which presented a series of dancing awareness projects, information and activities to enable inclusive dancing regardless of abilities & difficulties

Linked with

Personal action: Telegraph Article

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 23:05:18 GMT

Some details about some actions I have taken against a major National news publisher.

It was regarding a news article headline featured in the Telegraph newspaper in December 2024.

A headline with a viewpoint from a disgraced television personality, Greg Wallace. He claimed to blame his autism for his inappropriate behaviour. This was regarding his bullying and sexual abuse when he was part of the television series MasterChef.

Mr Wallace was not diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, but I felt it was not an acceptable excuse to use the autistic spectrum as a factor for his behaviour. I felt that the story causes sweeping generalisation which causes a false generalisation which implies that all autistic men cannot be trusted near women I misperceived to abuse others.

Not only has it caused a negative stigma, but it could fuel discrimination and ableism against all autistic & neurodiverse men.

For the first time, I took personal action against the newspaper article through the publishing association IPSCO.

Because I felt it broke the code of conduct as the headline could wrongly discriminate against autistic men. However, the IPSCO and the Telegraph rejected my complaint when I received a response on the 24th December 2024.

I was very disappointed with the conclusions of my actions.

Context
My complaint against the Telegraph newspaper is the second time I had to take action within the past 12 months.
The previous time I took action was against cabinet ministers and the former Prime Minister of the previous government. This was regarding stigmatising and disrespectful remarks against disabilities and difficulties regarding their plans to reform the welfare system. This includes disregarding their difficulties and life challenges, including mental health and inappropriate, threatening remarks related to opportunities.
For more on my actions against the previous government read my blog article for details

Wider context
The actions I have taken is part of a wider problem which I feel has become worsen since the pandemic. I have observed a lot of Irresponsible comments by public figures and key people in leading positions which misrepresenting disabilities and difficulties without any responsibility for the implications of the negative stigma.

I have written an Insight analysis document on this matter of representation of disabilities and difficulties related to government, parliament, public authorities, and the media.

Insight Document on representation

I have written a special insight and analysis document on the challenges of representation of hidden related difficulties & disabilities related to government, public authorities and the media
This document is now available to download and read by visiting the publications page

 Visit my current website for find out about my other special developments

Linked with

NYE Fest into 2025

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 20:13:45 GMT

A summary of highlights & my involvement of the UK's largest latin dancing related New Year's event organised by Latinmotion

The Event
The event presents a variety of classes, workshops, social parties and live performances over three days. This incluldes the New Year's Eve Party and the New Year's Day Matinee which features a live band during the daytime social dances.

Due to extra time for volunteering planning it was not possible to attend the party on the first night of the event (Monday 30th December).

On New Year's Eve I limit my presence to the early part of the evening by attending one of the classes before the New Year's party.

Because of the extremely busy environment around the midnight celebrations I attended much later from 12.30am onwards
I captured the vibes with the late night party and took some images

On New Year's Day I was focusing more on catching up & hanging out with some of the salsa teachers & attendees. Also during the day checking out the live band who performed.

Because of some social and dancing barriers I did not dance, instead took photos & videos to capture the New Year's Day Matinee.

Prior to attending this year's event, I had to dramatically reduce my presence at classes and social parties within the past 12 months. Unfortunately this has led to many obstacles and have affected my social presence at this year's NYE Fest.
Watch out soon special blog insight and analysis for details.

 Volunteering & behind the scenes participant

Months before the event, I was actively providing suggestions to the team leader & volunteering on how to make sure the volunteering environment makes the event successful for visitors. This is what I did during Motion City in August 2024.

For this year's event my volunteering role has expanded as a point of contact role. This role has multiple responsibilities. Primary is to check all the volunteers on the same duties there are no problems. Also to provide reminders to teachers of all active classes at different rooms during 10 & 5 minutes before classes end. I also liaise volunteers to relocate to different locations. This prevents volunteers from feeling restricted and reduces the risk on the lack of team's motivation. This is one top of checking the event visitors to make sure they have the corrected wristbands. This reduced the risk for anyone from entering the events who did not pay for this event at particular times.

The role had a very frequent switch of responsibility at different timescales.

Volunteer Organiser

For the second time for this event I have used my specially developed interactive touch point organiser (displayed on a tablet device). To coincide my role changing to point of contact my volunteer organiser was expanded to include a Point of call section with different guidelines and procedure depending on the different circumstances. In addition I develop some printed support materials for live notes and any updates during my volunterring role.

Networking
On New Year's Day I was networking to key participants of this year's event and have shared an example of a trial video I have produced to promote my dancing awareness Feature "Embrace Dancing". I was develop to enable anyone involved with dancing to explore the online feature to enable dancing inclusivity regardless of ability and difficulties. I recived many postive feedback.

The blog presents the highlights of the event which took place. Also I write details of my volunteering and networking based on the facing awareness feature "Embrace Dancing". Additionally I have written about my personal experiences as there are some barriers which affect my presence during this year's event.

Watch out soon for the promotional video for my dancing Awarenness Feature "Embrace Dancing".

Useful Links

 Visit the Dancing Direction feature on a summary of my dancing related projects and dancing classes and events I participate with.

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature which presented a series of dancing awareness projects, information and activities to enable inclusive dancing regardless of abilities & difficulties

 Visit the Creative webpage for details in developing the interactive touch point organiser for Volunteering

Linked with

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music-related film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating at two major salsa dancing conventions in Birmingham

Insight: Be smarter in moving Forward

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 11:54:13 GMT

Supporting Black History Month
Linked with Plus Value Awareness

This is a special article with an insight through my observation and some of personal experences

Since developing awareness projects more than two decades ago, I've seen a lot of development and progress, which enable understanding and an open mind. This is important to make sure every multicultural person living with specific difficulties that
are not visible I'm not taking advantage of feels pressurized or ashamed.

Despite the positive progress we can't be complacent. There are still barriers and stigma and the number of ways.

For example there is still an exaggeration of false perception and engagement if a person is psychologically and they mostly compromise in a variety of ways.

Any kind of nature and consideration can be used against a person with difficulties because of the colour of their skin. Including staging situations to psychologically humiliate them because they're difficulties and to cause make them emotionally compromise then to cause maximum shame and embarrassment

Also there are still closed minds that deliberately demonise a person's existence because of their difficulties and colour of their skin.

This means some people are pressurised to hide their stigma can back fire when extreme situation goes against them.

This means a person can prevention seeking help or assistance especially when they face an unhelpful stigma that has a lot of early or face rejection when confiding in someone. In addition they can face an unhelpful response that will not help the situation including unhelpful suggestions of medical treatment or go to hospital. I have received this kind of response I have faced in a compromising situation.

A change of Mindset
The status quo towards Multicultural individuals living with hidden related difficulties has to change. This includes having an open mind, showing empathy, anti intervene less. If you are a family member a friend or any contact with hidden differences and you are going through a challenging time it is essential to recognise that they also might need some support and someone to listen to especially if they have no limited amount of contacts or surroundings to confined to. This is important which enables them to support you as well.

It is also important to listen without judgment to anyone who faces negative stigma on top of their compromising circumstances.

Written by Keith Mckenzie

Select the link below to discover more about me

Awareness Focus: Multicultural edition
A special awareness feature on the Plus Value Awareness website specifically related to multicultural adults with hidden differences with specialised articles and information awareness projects

(Opens in a new window)

Beyond Commonwealth: Q&A
A special Q&A information web page on my insight related to my developments and my ambitions and passion. Linked with the video I was featured for Birmingham City Council.

INFORMATION
Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious
Visit the information page of the Plus Value Awareness wesbite to explore

(Opens in a new window)

Linked with the

Awareness Projects category

and

Visit the website to explore

Note to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Unity Forward insight document updated

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:01:20 GMT

The insight & analysis document linked to the awareness feature of short messages and encouragement has been updated and is now widely available to download and read online.

The " Unity Forward " Document addresses topics and factors on how life has affected people with hidden differences. The document covers hidden differences & changes, the new normal, attitudes & mindset, post-pandemic and what has to change.

History
The document was published originally in June 2021 with limited availability to awareness organisations and influencers. In September 2022, the document was featured in an article for the autistic awareness audience via "Anna Kennedy Online".

A second version of this document to be developed in the future

A copy of this updated document was shared to major disability influencer for the West Midlands region as part of a meeting with Mark Fostbrook, Senior Policy Officer – Health and Disability at the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Read the article on details of this meeting

Read the document online
Visit the "Unity Forward" page via the Plus Value Awareness website to access the document to download & read online

Visit the Unity Forward feature
Explore the awareness information and encourement feature via visting online via the Plus Value Awareness website

Linked with

 Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions at Birmingham's NEC, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is my family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with hidden differences, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide in future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety that is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Motion City 2024: the Highlghts

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:05:09 GMT

After a two-year break, I attended, participated and volunteered for the return of Motion City, one of the UK's largest dancing conventions. It takes place at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham's NEC.

It is a three-day event with a combination of dance classes, workshops, live music, daytime dancing matinee, late-night parties and live dance performances from dancers from the UK and around the world.

It attracts visitors from different parts of the UK

Volunteering

My main role is to make sure visitors to the event have the appropriate wristband when entering the event area of the venue. Also, my role is to stop anyone who doesn't have an appropriate wristband and other Hilton visitors away from the events area. I had to provide extra support as there were some challenges at certain locations of the venue. For my volunteering role I used the interactive digital organiser for the event which contains, events information, guidelines and procedures. This is an expansion when it was developed for Latinmotion's NYE which happened in December and early January.

To find out more in developing an interactive organiser for volunteering, visit the creative page

Extra participant
This is my 6th time, I have participated in this event from when I started seven years ago. Because of my experience being part of this event, I have provided guidance and advice to the leader of the volunteering team, especially for the volunteering meeting on the opening day before the event begins. This is to make sure certain standards with the conduct and procedures by certain volunteers. During the event, I reported back to the volunteer leader if there were challenges with volunteers with visitors or if certain standards were not met during volunteering.

On the closing day of the event, I was required to be involved with a surprise "Baby Shower" party for teacher and professional dancer Jayne Emily Turpin with her baby soon-to-be-born. The surprise was arranged by professional dancer and teacher Sophie. During & after my volunteer duty I had to look after a surprise box of gifts and written greetings. Then I assisted Sophie in getting different items, including asking the Hilton bat staff to borrow the ceramic bowls for the party food. With an update with volunteer Ken, I can provide an update to party attendees when Jayne arrives at the venue and reminds everyone to get ready. The surprise went well.

My event experience

Because of planned commitments elsewhere, my experience as an attendee was limited to the late-night parties and the daytime classes on the third day (Sunday). The classes I attended featuring José, Sophie, Andree and Lavinia.

One Friday night I spend extra time with an attendee who was leaving the UK permanently and was a regular attendee in the local classes the past few months.
On Saturday and Sunday I attended the parties at the later hours. Additionally at a live band performance as party of the party hours on Sunday night.

In summary, a lot dancing vibes from all different backgrounds at one place and hopefully my involvement maintain visitors and crew members positive experiences during the event.

Explore further
Visit the "Dancing Direction" feature to discover my dancing related developments & involvement

Visit the online special "Embracing Dancing" and discover different projects and documents to downloads to improve inclusivity at dancing environments.
(Developed with my awareness website "Plus Value Awareness"

Useful Links
Visit the Active & Participation index pages for more of my involvement and when experencing events and places of interest

Visit the Dancing Direction index for my dancing related projects and developments

Linked with

Awareness Connectivity

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:02:16 GMT

A meeting was arranged with the key officials in disability awareness and policies in the West Midlands.

The meeting was with Mark Fostbrook, Senior Policy Officer – Health and Disability at the West Midlands Combined Authority.

It was arranged by Anne Shaw, Chief executive of Transport for West Midlands after meeting with her at the Transport Publiceeting several months earlier.

I shared the developments on the I have done with Transport for West Midlands, West Midlands Trains and National Express.

As we have met previously at several disability events, we have updated each other on our developments and matters on general disability topics.

Modified Unity Forward Document
This includes how I have observed how society's attitudes since the pandemic are more challenging and intolerant against all disabilities including neurological. I mentioned a special "Unity Forward" insight document I have written on this matter. The document, originally written in June 2021 also provided suggestions to make sure hidden differences are not a disadvantage. As I followed up on the meeting, I have recreated the document and shared with Mark a copy of a modified version of the "Unity Forward" document.
This document to be available to view and read online soon

Shared Other developments
Other developments which was shared including the two documents linked with the consultation for the Department for Work and Pensions on the proposed changes to the work capability assessment. Also, the Plus Value Awareness online project against bullying and hate crime is called "Zero Toxic".

Keep you posted on further updates and feeds.

The Document "Unity Forward" is now available via the Plus Value Awareness website.

 Linked with

Notice to editors

Birmingham Design Festival 2024

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:02:54 GMT

Some highlights from attending the Birmingham Design Festival. This was my third visit since the first one I attended in 2018, with the second being in 2023.

This events theme was "Process" with a variety of presentation talks over the three days at different locations.

Day 1

Some of the highlights include examples of vibrant and groundbreaking creativity and motion design by Dan Silverstone .
High quality with a strong value ethics from Johanna Drew . The power of teamwork with developed contrasting projects from David Moloney from Design Studio. Ground-breaking typography spanning many decades from Paul McNeil & Hamish Muir from MuirMcneil.

Combining humanity while embracing digital aspects of design with some of the major companies' work, including AI from Rachel Gogel .

Day 2

It started with attending a presentation on social media possibilities to maximise appeal and engagement. Distance from Lucy Street from Lugi Studio and an advocate for Adobe.

Enabling a flexible approach towards creativity and generating ideas and solutions with Tim Davidson & Amanda Gaskin from Seachange.

Presenting expressive illustrations and messages from Stephen Smith from the Neasden control centre.

Due to other commitments, my day at the festival ends with the development of a uniquely designed mobile device from Nothing phone from Angelisa Scalera , Lead UX & Product Designer.

Day 3

Because two booked events overlapped I started day three with a brief digest between both presentations. Daniel Eastock emphasises the point of humour with creativity. Followed by a detailed approach towards visual imagery for design & three-dimensional products from 3D designer Andrea Marshall.

The importance of written creativity and the emphasis on being flexible and adaptable is the subject by Neurodiverse creative Peggy Affriyie , senior writer from Ragged Edge.

Illustrator & artist Aurélla Durand presents a variety of eye-catching, expressive and vibrant without barriers.

Francisca Posada and Nick Eagleton from Saboteur presenting using creativity, breaking rules and creative barriers using different saboteur roles.

The closing part of the festival includes projects and insights from Christopher Doyle (from CD&Co), Sue Murphy (from the Coca-Cola Company) and Ren Rigby (from Pronto)

Portfilio surgery

Interactive Digital Portfilio

As part of the festival, anyone can share examples of their projects and work in a special appointment session. Because there was a gap in booked events, I decided to book a portfolio session at the festival. This was developed with the team at the creative design agency RBH . Using my specially designed interactive digital portfolio document, I shared different aspects of my creativity as well as the type of projects I have developed. Generally, the feedback was extremely positive.
This was the second time I've received positive feedback on my creativity at the Birmingham Design Festival in graphic design, visual art, and presentation. This was 12 months after sharing examples of my projects with the Design Council's Chief Design Officer, Cat Drew , in June 2023.

Find out about the interactive portfolio by selecting the link below

Birmingham City University
School of Art & Design degree shows

This annual event showcases the student projects from their courses. I had an exclusive tour during the Birmingham Design Festival, then visited the opening night a few days later. The Birmingham Design Festival team also attended and caught up with the Course Leader of Visual Communications, Jane Anderson .

My thoughts
I felt this year's event became much bigger and more vibrant than before. So there is no excuse for anyone to learn, be inspired and feel embraced for setting a positive examples in designing & creativity.

Special thanks to Dan & Luke from Birmingham Design Festival for their hard work in developing this year's festival. Also, special thanks to Jane Anderson from Birmingham City University for her support of my creative development for the second year in a row.

 Linked with

Hip-Hop Round-up

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:28:19 GMT

I attended different events related to Hip-Hop music and culture during the spring & Summer months.

Summary

It includes a festival on The Legacy of 50 years of Hip-Hop, live music from the legendary slum Village and the break dancing finals at B-side Hip-Hop festival. Also, a special hip-hop takeover event.

50 Years Of Hip-Hop Festival

A touring Festival which covers five different major UK cities organised by the legendary DJ 279
A day-long Festival with different events during the day. I attended the festival from the afternoon onwards.

DJ Pogo hosted a panel discussion on a different perspective on Hip-Hop culture. With different voices on how radio was developed and represented the music.
I asked an unusual question to apply this in context that in comparison to the United States, the UK sport arenas do not embrace Hip-Hop music past and present. Pogo responded that this opens up massive discussion on racism and sport in the UK but thought it was a very good question to ask.

Later, the legendary Hip-Hop emcee Funky DL led a discussion with the art of concepts and do's and don'ts for music artists along with responsibility.

Visual artists Sal Freckles & Jay the Creator from Creator of Art.

The evening session includes a live music mix and exclusive performances. It includes Birmingham-based Sanity also Mysdiggi and the legendary Blak Twang and many more. With mixes from, DJ 279 , DJ Pogo and much more

B-sides Hip-Hop festival (Break Mission Finals)

Due to other commitments, I attended the Sunday version of the B-sides Hip hop festival, focusing on the Break Mission break dancing finals. With contenders from around the world.
Due to the privacy, the images from the festival are limited to social media. Watch out for extracts soon.

The Terrace Takeover Birthday Jam

A special daytime event organised by my close friend and the award-winning music producer & filmmaker, Pritt Kalsi to celebrate his birthday. It took place at Hockley Social Club (the team behind the award-winning Digbeth Dining Club). It features mixes from some of the respected and legendary names from DJ Sparra , Andy Giggs , DJ Fade , Mr Higgs , Sean B , and Pritt Kalsi . Additionally, the local legend Casual T was in the mix (the DJ of the group M.S.I + Asylum). He mentioned he hasn't done a DJ mix session for many years.

Slum Village, in concert

I attended the concert of the legendary Hip-Hop group and Producers Slum Village . It took place at Birmingham's O2 Institute.
The night was hosted by the local beatboxer legend Madflow and a local legendary DJ E Double D . Additionally, the night was supported by the Brother & Sister Hip-Hop duo Abstract Mind State .
When Slum village performed, the vibes were electric and took everyone on their musical journey past & present.

 Linked with

Update on my personal action

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:11:44 GMT

An update on my action against the previous government on the remarks towards disabilities.

Back in May, my original complaint was made against three former conservative government ministers for disrespectful and offensive remarks towards disabilities related to welfare reform. Also how I was not informed of my previous involvement in their previous consultation in September and October of 2023 on changes to the Work Capability Assessment .

Since then, I received their reply in June 2024; however, I was not impressed by their responses. They showed no acknowledgement of the offence and the offence and stigma caused. I was provided an online to the previous government responses on the consultation of the Capability Assessment. Even though I published two documents on my responses and suggestions, all of my expressions and suggestions were completely rejected.

I was extremely disappointed that my voice was ignored, despite my efforts.

Complaint review
As I was not happy with the former government's response, I requested a complaint review in July 2024 as the former failed to acknowledge offensive remarks towards disabilities without context and any stigmatising implications.

I have provided some updates on this matter to my Local M.P's with a new Representation publication. I have also the team my further actions since the June 2024 response.

I felt very strongly that I feel that public figures and key people in government have constantly misrepresented people with invisible disabilities including neurological difficulties (including welfare recipients). I have published an insight document on different factors of lack of representation that leads to bad decisions which can harm the circumstances of a person with invisible disabilities including neurological difficulties. The document also addresses the stigma of invisible disabilities, including neurological difficulties, with the news articles in the press & media.

The M.P fully sympathetic to my further action and fully understand the issues discussed and addressed in my Representation publication

I am waiting for a reply to my complaint, which should be responded to during September or October 2024.

Watch out for further updates via this website and via social media.

Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions at Birmingham's NEC, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.

In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Visit the Special Developments index for similar achievements

Atteneded two transport events

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 10:28:35 GMT

I attended two events in May to July in Birmingham and Wolverhampton to represent Neurodiversity and to spread awareness on the transport-related experiences

Transport Focus Public Meeting

In May, I attended a public meeting by the transport regulator Transport Focus. It incorporates the organisation updates along with discussions and presentations. It included a presentation by Anne Shaw, Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands addressing the transport challenges in the West Midlands. Also, the event addresses anti-social behaviour, featuring Paul Franks, Security & Policing Manager from Transport for West Midlands , Anne Grant Station manager from Avanti West Coast , Natasha Grove from Transport Focus and Craig Stenning from Network Rail at Birmingham's New Station.

Additionally, the meeting addresses travel disruption and how everyone can be better informed with representatives from National Highways and Network Rail .

My Questions
At the transport focus meeting, I ask direct questions to the panellist on what plans to improve inclusivity & safety. Including being accommodating when accessing facilities and being aware of intolerant and discriminative behaviour.

This led to a meeting being arranged by Anne Shaw the Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands to arrange a meeting with the Senior Policy Manager of Health & Disability at the West Midlands Combined Authority. Watch out for further updates.

Keeping Rail simple event

n June, I was invited to a special showcase event organised by West Midlands Trains and Campaign for Better Transport . Originally, this was planned to take place in London, but due to the General Election, the event is located at the complex of the recently redeveloped Wolverhampton train station.

The event includes presentation talks for several representatives from both West Midlands Trains and Campaign for Better Transport . The talks include some of the developments of services, stations, facilities and trains on London North Western Railways & West Midlands Railways services. Additionally, there was information shared on different developments around the country including working in partnership in rural areas. Also, there was a tour of the refurbished Wolverhampton station.

Visit the Participation index for details of this and other involvements

Linked with

Railways Awareness Meeting

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 30 May 2024 10:35:50 GMT

A meeting was arranged with an accessibility Manager for the local railway network.

The meeting was made with James Foxtall, one of the accessibility managers at West Midlands Trains. The organisation provides local and commuter services including West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.

Before the meeting, I shared some examples of my personal experiences which had become challenging in recent years since the worldwide pandemic.

James wanted to meet with me to understand my background and my circumstances and to find ways and what forward steps could be made to improve awareness of Neurodiversity on the local railway and beyond.

After our meeting, I have developed and shared an information document which contains different examples of my experience on the railway along with my suggestions, not just only within the train operator but to the railway network as a whole along with public transport my this region

James has suggested some possibilities which could occur, including lived experences and many more.
Watch out for further updates and developments on this website and social media.

Explore other participation developments by selecting the link below

Linked with

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events, record label & project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also I have been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating in two major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including
Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Trialing a presented social media video reel

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 29 May 2024 18:59:55 GMT

I was trailing a presented video reel for social media.

This follows attending a short workshop back in March on developing social media reeks "Find a Voice" at the Specialist education facility the Steam House by Birmingham City University.

SUMMARY
The course was hosted by Musician and music studio educator Nicole Justice who provided a talk to complete a video reel using a popular video app for social media.

PERSONAL PERESPECTIVE
As the direction of social media is going it is evident that it is essential to use video to the social audience to capture and generate interest.
Because of facing negative personal prejudice on how I am judged and perceived I have avoided using any type of visibility on video cameras online to prevent harmful stigma.

FEATURES
The trail video reels appeared on my Instagram profile and my primary Facebook profile featured me presenting to the camera with examples of images I have captured on my mobile camera and video footage. It includes highlights of attending events & workshops within 5 days including the Dyslexia Show, Photography Show, and Naidex at the NEC. Also, the video reel including I attended a workshop with Birmingham City University and video footage of the Steam House to indicate attending the "Find your voice" course.

OUTCOME
Since the video reel appears on Instagram the video was played over 100 times within a five-day period.

My experiences were a learning curve. Despite the video trail was not 100% to my standards, it is a starting point and there are plans to make adjustments and changes to develop future video reels to maintain interest. Also, I realised without using videos the audience on social media and my websites will not maintain any interest. My plan is also to go beyond video reels but use horizontal video format to be shown on YouTube and LinkedIn.

The plan also expands beyond my developments but also my objective insight and extracts of projects and information appear on my awareness initiative Plus Value Awareness.

You can watch the trail video reel via my Instagram social media profile.

 Further video reels to be developed soon

Themed online special on Mental Health

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Wed, 29 May 2024 18:41:00 GMT

A year long especially themed awareness webpage has been created on Mental Health.

This was developed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week and the relaunch of my awareness project is mental health titled Don't Underestimate. Also, it was developed as a response to specific public figures and capitalist ministers of the government making appropriate remarks which undermine people who have experienced mental health.

A summary of written information includes, how mental health can affect basic skills and abilities, how it can worsen with closed minds and how experiencing mental health is not a lifestyle choice

Extracts from this special webpage will be used for a social media family of templates for post status and vertical stories

 Visit the online special via the Plus Value Awareness website

The special web page "We cannot simplify mental health" is available online until early May 2025 it will then be replaced by a new theme while the existing one will be converted into a blog article and digital documents which will be downloadable.

Linked with

Notice to editors
Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).
Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating in two major salsa dancing conventions in Birmingham

Insight: My personal action

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 20 May 2024 14:44:07 GMT

A personal insight by me on the formal complaint I've made against the previous government which lead by the Conservatives until July 2024.

My life Challanges
Over the past 20 years, I have developed a family of projects and activities to improve understanding reduce stigma and change perceptions and judgments towards different hidden related difficulties.

There have been a lot of boundaries & challenges to access and to maintain my sense of purpose to acces employment, enterprise start-up, become inclusive and a community participant. I feel the barriers is partly caused by prejudice and misrepresentation and false accusations which can affect a person with hidden differences when being visible in Society.

Background
With the important decision-makers which can affect all of society and who supposed to represent our nation, I do expect a certain level of standards and knowledge with insight from a variety of perspectives and lived experiences.

The offensive langauge by the government
I have recently been hearing too often voices from key cabinet ministers from the previous conservative government with a lot of inaccurate and offensive stereotyping perceptions in the past 12 months and beyond against specific difficulties that are hidden, neurological and people facing specific mental health challenges including anxiety.

This is especially those who have been prevented from accessing employment and opportunities for businesses. This is related to the previous government's plans to reform the welfare system.

These comments are being made carelessly without being aware of the perspective of lived experiences or context related to the boundaries and challenges. Too many viewpoints undermine the challenges of a person with disabilities and difficulties faces and instead make derogatory, dehumanising insults and disrespect against disabilities and difficulties who are excluded from employment opportunities.

I felt the stigmatising typecasting went too far in April 2024 and without naming names or making any political judgement, there were certain members of the previous conservative cabinet of the UK Government who went too far making one-sided misperceptions and stereotype comments and remarks.

The danger of inaccurate allegations
Words and language from public figures can influence discrimination bullying abuse and hatred. I personally noticed because 15 years ago when similar languages were used I had to face constant harassment physical abuse and intimidation which forced me not to integrate with the rest of society for my own safety.

My Complaint action
Therefore I had no choice but to make a formal complaint against the previous government for the first time.

In my complaint materials, I have explained why the resamrs was made was insulting and disrespectful which is personal as I faced boundaries for decades into opportunities but I have never given up maintaining my sense of purpose. I felt all Members of Parliament have a responsibility not to make a one-sided perception and not to stigmatise people with specific difficulties but to make them feel demonised and ashamed for the wrong reasons.

DWP Disability Consultation

As part of my complaint, the government and particularly the Department for Work & Pensions (PWP) has failed to provide updates, comments or feedback from when I participated in a major consultation event last autumn in Birmingham arranged by the DWP.

Select the link below to my article

Consulation Support document

As part of my involvement in the consultation, I have shared my viewpoints with objective insights and solutions. Not just this but also I have published two documents which provide objective suggestions and solutions in response to the official proposal documents

You can view these documents and download them online here

My Expectation
As a citizen, I do expect better standards that mine another people's voice should be heard considered and not be ignored by offensive type casting remarks. Overall I felt betrayed I felt, insulted and undervalued.

From a team of leaders supposed to be highly educated & knowledgeable, I do expect a better level of standards on issues and challenges that affect specific members of society. Also, I do expect to consider insights from lived experiences through their perspective.

This incluldes not create one-sided misperception so I do expect a balanced judgment and response without prejudice or to prevent or cause negative stigma.

Conclusion
No person with neurological difficulties, hidden disabilities, anxiety and those facing mental health challenges should be stigmatised for false interpretation for being made to feel shamed because they are not understood. I expect much better standards from the leaders and representation of our nation.

Read my update and the response to my complaint

 Notice to editors

Insight: Dancing & Ableism

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 15:35:18 GMT

A special dancing insight against prejudice & discrimination.

This article is linked with my dancing awareness feature "Embrace Dancing" and was orginally created for supporting Autism Dance Day and International Dance Day

Please note this article is written from my personal perspective. Although the information is mainly related to Latin dancing environments, some of the examples can apply to any dancing and music environments.

INTRODUCTION
Dancing is a positive, expressive and active environment which everyone should be able to do without barriers.

BACKGROUND
I have been dancing casually for a long time and have been active in Latin-related dancing as an activity for over a decade. Also, I became a participant in these environments for nearly a decade including being a volunteer and providing positive solutions for events like Motion City, Latinmotion NYE Fest. In addition, I also take part regularly in classes in the local community with "Salsa with Pauline", where I'm also in charge of marketing.

Back in 2022, I was honoured to be part of a community campaign for Birmingham City Council to celebrate the city's legacy since hosting the Commonwealth Games.

However, there is an unpleasant barrier which not only gets in the way not only for me but for others with hidden related difficulties. This is related to perceptive prejudice, ableism and discrimination.

This can occur during learning during classes or workshops. This also applies to taking part in social dancing, parties, festivals and dancing conventions.

As I am involved in latin dancing environments, I have observed, within recent years, a greater layer of unspoken expectations. Too many times I have seen too many times with an old-fashioned expectation that unless you are an average or a quicker learner, you are not only discredited but also a negative liability to others.

Though my experiences are unless you can progress your dancing through different dance levels within the average pace then you can be socially left behind. I have experienced this along with social separation which has affected my presence in these environments.

Some dancing steps and movements are harder than others regardless of what dancing levels you are at at classes and workshops. Also, for visual learners and those who suffer from short-term memory difficulties, it can be extra tough. This means a person needs extra time to master dance moves compared to an average person.

At parties, festivals and conventions
In these environments, it can be very competitive and very pressuring to survive the social environment. Especially if certain attendees are regarded as more desirable and appealing than others social as charisma, sense of humour as well and positive ratings for their dancing abilities

In a dancing environment which is made by leaders & followers, the pressure is on the men. Not only do they have to be able to lead well with a follower partner who is traditionally a woman, but they can memorise the dance steps, which might be harder for some with hidden differences if the pace of learning can be too fast with cramming too much on what is expected to learn. At parties, festivals and conventions, the pressures escalate for men to memorise a variety of dance moves, which must be impressive and not boring or predictable. As a tradition of men approaching women to dance, unless a man appears confident in dancing and socially, a man can be divided and excluded which can damage a person's motivation levels and presence

Changes since the pandemic
Since the worldwide pandemic, I have observed a massive change in the past few years in other people's attitudes and patient levels (except for the dancing environment in local communities). I have also noticed and experienced a change in society's mindset, which has affected the majority of the Latin dancing environment with negative implications.

At classes, if you are seen struggling in classes, then you are likely to be rejected not just for asking to dance but also socially.

Despite my involvement in Latin dancing as an activity for a decade, I have been given an unpleasant wake-up call recently with an increasing lack of acceptance in the past 12 to 18 months not just dancing and socially. I've experienced being socially divided and was forced to be socially engaged much less compared to other people. This has been due to the rejection of dancing requests at social parties and rejections. Rejection also applies when attempting to be socially engaged. This has disrupted my dancing motivation. This has forced me to leave parties and social dancing after classes much earlier. I felt that I was constantly pressured to be mentally quicker with my presence, including timing, approaching to request a woman to dance with and to socially engage with people. I would face marginalisation and low dancing motivation if I didn't follow my quicker mindset guidelines. This also occurs more often when I've been seeing on my own for too long and not able to form a social circle and when I face constant rejection.

In certain environments, I faced aggressive threats from male dancers who lacked spatial awareness and used up too much dance floor when dancing with a partner. What makes it worse is that I don't have to be too close to a particular dancing couple before receiving shouting threats from certain men in this matter. This example can damage anyone's dancing confidence.

My observation of the changing social climate has damaged my ability to dance in these social environments with confidence because of constantly being marginalised and excluded. However, this worsened at a New Year event into 2024 (at which I volunteered) when I received insulting ableist remarks against my intelligence at a dancing class. The situation worsened at the same event when I was constantly socially sidelined and alienated.

I feel the culture of ableism and one-sided perceptions and expectations in dancing have gone too far. People need to think carefully about the negative implications when we constantly divide others based on social vanity and perceptions of dancing environments.

THE CONSEQUENCES
If we do not pay attention to how we judge and treat others, then we could have a culture of discouraging individuals, including those with neurological difficulties (and those who experience anxiety), to dance less or not be viable in dancing environments. This means a person with difficulties is undervalued and is made to feel out of sight and out of mind.

WHAT HAS TO CHANGE
Attendees need to stop defining a person against their difficulties and stop making quick judgments about a person's ability. Also, event participants need to be responsive to prevent and reduce negative prejudice and ableism.

Don't be perceptive if you notice a person's difficulties, and do not exclude, marginalise, reject dancing and socialise with them.

Men Attendees
Don't take advantage of men with hidden difficulties by deliberately pulling a woman away they are engaging in.
Be spatial and more aware when dancing with a partner and never behave aggressively towards other men, related to dancing spaces.

Women attendees
Be more supportive and less judgemental when a male with hidden differences is present. This includes if they might be struggling in classes. Also, be less perceptive of a man's request to dance and try to be socially engaging.

All attendees
Some people may be more fortunate to have a social circle than others. This does not mean we should reject and exclude those who have a limited or no social circle. As mentioned, do not take advantage of their presence.

Teacher & event leaders
Be more supportive and discourage any type of discrimination and ableism. This means intervening when necessary and encouraging attendees to change how they judge a person if they live with specific difficulties.

STEPS FORWARD

Attendees
Be patient and encouraging at classes, workshops, and social parties.
See a person beyond their difficulties
Be welcoming and appreciating
Offer help if needed, especially if the person is struggling or a situation has occurred which forced a person to pull out of a class

Look out if an attendee has pulled out if they are made to pull out. It is very important not to divide a person if they are struggling to follow.

If the other attendee is struggling or is avoiding certain moves as it is too much never make any type of ableist or offensive remarks against their intelligence.

Teachers
Always Remind all students in classes to be supportive of some classes are struggling
Spend time with an attendee who may struggle

Everyone
Make sure to encourage others to approach to dance with those who might feel discouraged due to lack of a social circle or being made to dance much less.

FINAL POINT
A person with hidden differences along with other invisible disabilities should be able to dance equally without ableism, prejudice and rejection

Written by Keith Mckenzie
Click here to discover more about me

USEFUL LINKS

Embrace Dancing

The online special is available all year round with links to dancing-related projects, information and publications

Visit the Embrace Dancing feature below

Also available online via Plus Value Awareness website

INFORMATION
Hidden differences are used as a collective description of independent and articulate young people and adults who live with types of difficulties that are not visually obvious. Including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Social Anxiety.

Visit the Understanding series index of the Plus Value Awareness website to explore

Any type of absive or hatred remarks and comments will not be tolerated and action will taken if any inappoprate comments are made.

Developed by with Keith Mckenzie with Plus Value Awareness

Notice to editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people which live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including a mild form of autism through to, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD & Social Anxiety).

Photography & Video show 2024

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:49:08 GMT

I have visited "The Photography and Video show", the event which showcases photography and filming at Birmingham's NEC. In addition, it covers additional multimedia examples such as social media reels and influencer videos.

Select the image gallery below

As photography was part of my art and design background when I studied in Hereford and Northampton, I wanted to catch up on what I needed to know as I haven't done much camera photography since the pandemic.

Presentations

A presentation by Kim Grant on how she was developing a series of YouTube videos based on her passions including outdoor scenic and nature photography. Despite that she was not comfortable appearing on a video camera, she explained how her life had changed and became a major YouTube influencer within 7 years. Kim is encouraging anyone who is an introvert should not feel discouraged and should give it a go.

One major reason why I was attracted to attend was to do with a series of presentation talks on using images and video social media to improve influences.

I attended a presentation on this particular subject from Gavin Hoey assisted by model Chloe on transferring professional photography to video reels with tips and guidelines to increase social media engagement and audience by focusing on quality rather than Quantity.
Had a nice chat with both Gavin and Chloe before & after their presentations.

Meeting people
As well as attending the presentation and receiving some advice from the different stands, I also had an opportunity to meet some great people. One of the people was an inspiring person for Birmingham. Lattie Lovett-Dunn one of the models of the event. She is also a broadcaster and social media influencer and has followed her social media journeys and work along with her husband who is also a model.

I also met initially with Simone Stocks, an event Model who appeared throughout the day in a specially themed outfit in front of a flower garden display stand & studio. Had a brief chat and she advised me to embrace photography again.

Summary

The importance of Photography is still strong, even though many people fear the potential obstacles such as mobile photography and Artificial Intelligence. Living in the background of Art & Design, attending this event reminds me that I need to incorporate photography into my art & design projects and as filming and a lot more.

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Neurodiversity Celebrations Week Highlights

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 19:15:38 GMT

My involvement in supporting this year's neurodiversity celebration week combines projects and articles along with connecting with communities during the week and a few days earlier.

For this year a different approach was made by representing at selected events and being involved in a neurodiversity-related workshop.
"I felt it was important to evolve my support to Neurodiversity Celebration Week" beyond social media and online. When networking and meeting people there are still some people not aware of neurodiversity celebration week"

Select the image gallery below

It started a few days before the week began by attending the Dyslexia Show for the second time. This annual Dyslexia and Neurodiversity event takes place at Birmingham's NEC. As well as catching up with many people I've seen previously also met new people.

I watched presentations from Arron Smith along with a panellist discussion hosted by Keisha Adair-Swaby featuring Tumi Sotire, Steve Parke and Zoe Jane Littlewood.

During the middle of the neurodiversity celebration week, I returned to the NEC for the first time visit to the Disability Accessibility and Inclusion event Naidex . It includes an interview with Broadcaster & Mental Health campaigner Roman Kemp to address the importance of supporting people who are experiencing Mental Health. Also, a panel discussion hosted by Dr. Shari Dhanda with examples of effective campaigns on disability.

One of the people I have met with Rebecca Bailey, BBC Creative Diversity Assistant Content Producer.

I attended a specialised workshop to Mark neurodiversity celebration week hosted by the University of Birmingham titled " In Space: Feeling the Built Environment " addressing open spaces and how places at work and education become more accommodating towards neurodivergents. This event was developed by the University Neurodiversity Staff community and was hosted by Dorothy Buckard and Jeremy Kidwell.

The online special was available to support Neurodiversity Celebration Week. It includes an original blog for supporting this year's event. The article titled " A Connected World " reminds everybody to look beyond work and employment for a neurodivergent and widen opportunities including community participants relationships and many more.

Read the article via the Plus Value Awareness blog on WordPress 

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Awareness Beyond the Celebration Week
As part of transforming my awareness website a new mini-feature focusing on Neurodiversity related articles and related projects is developed, titled " Neurodiversity Focus ". This is part of the newly revamped feature awareness Focus which showcases diverse and focused areas of customised projects, articles and information. It will also feature the current online developments that supported this year's neurodiversity celebration week.

Visit this feature via the Plus Value Awareness website

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 Visit my awareness website "Plus Value Awareness" to discover of projects, campigns and information

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Notice to editors:
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions at Birmingham's NEC including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

My Interactions at events

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:55:01 GMT

I have made connections with the community during Neurodiversity Celebration Week I have made comments and questions when attending events and workshops.

Here are some examples:
My comments
During the Neurodiversity workshop "In Space: Feeling the Built Environment" at the University of Birmingham a task was given on our thoughts on we we related to build environment at the same time were given an example of expressive literature on environments.
I presented a viewpoint from a wider perspective. Play mentioned it does depend on certain factors including climate, how the environment is well understood, how easy is the information to navigate and how the types of people are in the same environment.
I also mentioned how open spaces do not accommodate anyone to take time out not only for relaxation but to auto regroup and organise themselves. This can cause disruptive effects for a neurodiverse or a person with hidden differences where on occasions when they are on the spot for too long any time to make adjustments and reorganise themselves. Not only it could risk bringing the worst out of them it can we lead to them facing disruptive ableism along with bullying discrimination and hatred. Having a certain timeout environment can affect how a person can be efficient for longer.

I also mentioned that environments that use automated equipment can lead to discrimination from nearby impatient customers.
I also mention how certain open places can cause indirect problems for example at New Street station they installed in 2023 and replication of the large decorated bull sculpture which was part of the opening families for the Commonwealth Games. This has attracted many people who photographed and filmed the sculpture from all items. This can cause a negative side effect for a person with hidden differences with a higher amount of people than normal and also it can be an embarrassment if they are stressed anxious or in emotional distress.

Asking Questions
As part of attending events such as conferences and seminars, I had an opportunity to ask some questions at different presentation talks.

Here are some examples:
Arron Smith
During The Dyslexia Show at the NEC
I asked Arron a question related to some of these plans to improve the representation of dyslexia and neurodiversity.
I asked how we improve representation when it has been married harder recently with the UK Government removing the department for the office of disability back in December 2023
He responded in similar words to focusing more on the communities

Roman Kemp
During Naidex at the NEC
I asked Roman a question after his live interview.
As Roman's appearance at the Naidex event was on International Day of Happiness and informed me of this awareness day and used this as a context to ask my question.
As society can be very perceptive and very judgemental, what you think needs to be improved against the stigma.
I mentioned this question was personal to my perspective and admitted I had shared less & strategised more for example when I have experienced mental health challenges.'
Roman responded to focus on the kids and feels it will be harder to convince anyone older.
He reacted in surprise and admitted he didn't know about the International Day of Happiness.

Nicole Steven
Creative Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Channel 4
During Naidex at the NEC
I asked Nicole a question after she presented the planned strategy to improve how disabilities are portrayed on and off screen under the "code of portrayal"
Because the broadcasters are inspiring her ideas at Channel 4.
So, I asked Rachel could this model could be replicated in other parts of society. I meant an example of Transport for London's report in 2024 to improve diversity and inclusion in the public transport system limiting the improvement for a newer diversity related to the design system when it comes to navigating through their transport network without any lived experiences from neurodiverse persons in the short term. Nicole simply responded that she understood.

Visit my mini-feature "Neurodiversity Focus", available via the Plus Value Awareness website.

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 Visit my awareness website "Plus Value Awareness" to discover of projects, campigns and information

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NYE Fest into 2024

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:55:50 GMT

Highlights of the annual occasion which stands out compared to any other new year celebrations.

The NYE Fest is the biggest and one the most recognised New Year salsa dancing events in the UK & Europe. The event took place from Saturday the 30th December through to many years day Monday 1st January at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the heart of the NEC organised by Latinmotion provides a family of workshops, classes, social dance and exclusive live performances. The event attracts attendees from around the UK and beyond.

As well as an attendee I was a volunteer and participant behind the scenes.

Volunteering
My volunteer incorporates many different roles including monitoring the appropriate response or when visitors and participants are entering the event area of the venue. Also, I assisted in setting up party items during the New Year's Eve celebrations and helping to dismantle the equipment and items after the event closed. Wrap my volunteering roles I was available to provide assistance or guidance facilities and to help direct visitors and participants to the appropriate locations of the event.
This was my fifth time volunteering but this event and I used my experience to say my suggestions several months beforehand to make sure the volunteering team had a coordinated and supportive working environment with respect throughout.

 Innovation during my volunteering
This year's team role was the most innovative and groundbreaking ever as I introduced using an interactive touch digital volunteering organiser. This was used on a custom use tablet device for this role. Enables me to be organised and resourced for all the important information of the events along with guidance and procedures depending on the information required or if a challenging situation occurred.
The digital interactive organiser was designed and developed by myself to find out more click on the following links below

Presenting surprise
This was not the end of the story because my role expanded One special involves surprising the founders of Latinmotion to acknowledge the achievement of more than 30 years since both founders started the organisation way back in 1993. Despite I made one minor error the audience approved and appreciated this special surprise moment.

Digital Signage trail
I offered to provide a unique solution after the venue hosts of the event organisers to access their large green digital signs to promote the event the programme and additional information. So before the event began I was developing prototype digital signage. This involves a lot of research and consultations with organisations that use digital signs regularly.

What I have developed is designed to help people welcome to the event and now all the essential information including the event map and the events schedule.

Sadly because of information that was not brought to our attention my specialty-designed digital signage was able to be used at this year's event. However but what I have developed there is a possibility that will have developed could be used in future events

My insight
As expected the event brought in some of the finest dances from all over the UK to put together one of the brightest New Year's events out there. But it doesn't stop there, I can become an innovative participant with an interactive organiser and the prototype digital signage for future events.

Towards Inclusivity
Within the past year, I have developed my dancing awareness Project inclusive to dance which provides information and guidance to enable inclusivity regardless of abilities. This was sad to the event leaders and some of the visitors and participants. Beyond the event I have decided that the detailed suggestion documents for embrace dancing environment and convinces is to be fully developed for everyone for the first time.
In the past it was limited to the team leaders of Latin Motion and London's Mambo City and in 2022 these documents were featured on the UK's most important awareness campaigners for Anna Kennedy OBE.

The dancing inclusivity documents are now available to view and download by visiting the "Embracing Direction" page

Party night and daytime matinee
The parties took place on Saturday the 30th of December, New Year's Eve and the daytime hours of New Year's Day.
Within the four different rooms, the dance floors were full of dancers throughout. Each day also presented exclusive dance performances from professional dancers. The countdown towards the midnight celebrations on New Year's Eve concludes with the midnight celebrations moment, combining the traditional cheers and hugs along with the energetic and vibrant dancing demonstrations.

The event concludes on New Year's Day (during daytime only) with classes, social dances and a bonus of a live band performing.

Visit the mini feature for details of my involvement in dancing projects & events

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Developing Interactive Organiser

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:37:40 GMT

This blog provides my insight on developing and trailing an interactive touchpoint organiser when I was volunteering for Latinmotion's annual dancing convention, the NYE Fest.

Background
For many years when I was volunteering for this salsa dancing convention, I was using a group of printed fold-out materials as my volunteering pack.
My role including monitoring oncoming visitors and participation is wearing the appropriate wristband when entering the events area of the venue. Also, it provides information and to access different elements of the event schedules including specific classes, workshops, presentations, live shows and different social parties between four different rooms. This can be extremely demanding as hundreds of visitors and participations pass through into the events areas every hour within a four-hour volunteering schedule.

So using an organiser as a tool & a reference to make sure my autistic difficulties do not compromise my role and requirements. This is especially because there is a lot of information and reminders to remember during the volunteering role.

Historical or previous context
Although these printed materials worked well most of the time it did not able for me to be adaptable which specific situations occur. Especially when it is not possible to access specific information and guidelines quickly with particular print materials and particular foldout areas of a document. This includes uncompromising visitors who have no or invalid wristbands and those who are hostile and disrespectful. Also, the printed documents made it harder to able to deal with the extreme and disruptive behaviour of visitors and crew members. Because it this I have experienced mental health and anxiety which affect my confidence to volunteer.

So I wanted to create a different way of being organised while increasing my ability to be flexible and adaptable.
Before developing a digital organiser I was creating interactive touch point documents including an art & design portfolio and and general showcase. This was used for networking related to awareness, creative and other opportunities.
Visit my article for more

Prototype material
This led to the development of prototype digital materials with interactivity. The documents are made of main and section index pages, information, maps reminders and guidance pages within sections. It incorporates the information previously used for printed organisers as a potential digital organiser. When it was initially created I shared the prototype digital documents with key members & leaders of Latinmotion the event organiser of NYE Fest. The team was fascinated by my developments and asked several questions and addressed a potential scenario on how I cope. It was becoming obvious the interactive organiser had able me to manage more and become more prepared.

Developments level
The next stage is to refine the information and prepare the rest of the information and content which enables to completion the materials. While this was found I was refining the graphics and presentation to make sure the material will maintain my attention when using the material during a four-hour volunteering duty. Regularly I had to test the materials and make updates, modifications & alterations to the information presentation and features. This continued until I was happy with the results. The design presentation combined vibrant & design features. The vibrant side is inspired by the graphics & design presentation used for US live sports broadcasts & networks which incorporate bold headline titles, three-dimensional visual effects, and colour blends. The typeface "Impact" was used as the document page titles to align the document to how the typeface is used on the official materials of the event. Meanwhile, the "Lato" typeface was used for paragraph text as it was easy for the eye to read the content quickly.

Meanwhile, the practical side incorporated colour coding to identify the sections of the organiser and used solid colour blocks of different sizes behind the certain written content related to communication protocols, guidelines and specific instructions.

Adding the quick shortcut links
There are at times certain information needs to be accessed quickly which goes beyond the main & section index pages.
So the quick & shortcut links were added to bridge the gap.
The quick links are displayed on detailed information pages. It is either used as an addition lino with the same or a different section of the document. Throughout the document family of quick links are used to get around the document at high speed when needed. This is displayed consistently on one side of the document pages.

The completion
The finalisation of the documents was made when the official programme was announced and the finalised details of the events map. This was because the room's location was changed. This led to the final test of the interactivity to make the documents work before making final alterations. For volunteering the digital organiser was used For a specific tablet device was used For display purposes only (which is different from general devices I used For personal purposes) this is for privacy & security reasons.

Using the digital organiser
From start to finish of each volunteering duty the use of the interactive volunteer has been a seamless experience. It has enabled me to remove all stress and pressures when unplanned situations occur. It not only enabled me to be versatile and adaptable when required I was also able expand my capabilities beyond what so can manage.

Review, decision and approach
The overall analysis is that we need to be creative and imaginative when it comes to developing materials tools and references which lead to enable to best out of others. It is not always about what's the following or creating trends or the next big Innovation. We need to think smartly to develop positive solutions within the resources and a vision.

Developing the interactive volunteer organiser was a vision inspired by news broadcasts when a journalist presented information from a large touchscreen. Especially when it is used on US election broadcasts on television and provides real-time results

The Final conclusion
So it's not about thinking ahead is about having a vision with smarter creativity & solutions

 View the project information page with more on the design aspects of the project by visiting the creative page

 Find out about my involvement in the NYE Fest by visiting the Dancing Direction webpage

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Note to editors
Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant

With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.

Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.

In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

Featured in "The Voice" Newspaper twice within 12 months

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 19:40:14 GMT

A short analysis article of being featured in the Voice Newspaper twice within 12 months

During February and December of 2023, it was an honour to be featured in one of the UK important cultural-related publications in the UK.

Beforehand I have attempted to request to be featured for many years with the news publications and publications related to the project I have to developed. I was excited and so happy that I was finally featured with one of the UK's most recognised culturally related publications.

February edition (2023)
The first time I was featured was related to a video campaign I was involved in as a featured participant to showcase Birmingham's Legacy since the city beyond the Commonwealth Games and what factors were needed to support disabilities from benefits to employment
Read my Article below to find out more

December edition (2023)
The second time when I was featured was related to my special participation role. This was related to being involved in an open consultation by the Department for Work and Pensions in changing their procedures to encourage more disabilities into employment. In addition, I have developed a special family of objective insight documents which present the aspects and solutions.

Read my article to find out more

Both articles were written by The Voice Midlands correspondent Veron Graham. It was well-written concise and written to the audience with greater context and insight.

So I would like to share a special thank you to Veron Graham and the team at Voice newspaper to feature my stories and developments in the past 12 months.

Notice to editors
The Voice
The monthly newspaper publications cover a variety of stories and topics related to UK-born people with the ethnicity of African-Caribbean backgrounds. In 2022 the paper celebrated its 40th Anniversary since then paper launched when it was a weekly publication to a monthly edition today in print and via a paywall subscription online.

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.
In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Featured in December's Voice Newspaper

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 19:27:57 GMT

For the second time within 12 months, I was featured but the voice newspaper for the second time during December 2023

The article is related to my insight on some major changes the Department for Work and Pensions is proposing which affect all disabilities towards employment

It was related to my involvement in the public consultation in central Birmingham arranged by the Department for Work and Pensions. This is regarding the planned changes with the work capability assessment.

As part of the story, I shared many different aspects which need to be considered to make sure a disability is supported into employment it's not a disadvantage. As part of my part of the places I also published two insight and analysis documents on different aspects and provided several solutions based on the bigger picture through the disability perspective. This was shared with the DWP as part of the consultation.

This edition of the voice newspaper featuring me was available at newsstands around the UK during December 2023. The Voice newspaper paywall subscribers can able to access the newspaper and the story featuring me online.

Notice to editors:
The Voice
The monthly newspaper publications cover a variety of stories and topics related to UK-born people with the ethnicity of African-Caribbean backgrounds. In 2022 the paper celebrated its 40th Anniversary since then paper launched when it was a weekly publication to a monthly edition today in print and via a paywall subscription online.

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.
In 2022, Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games

Dancing Inclusivity Publications

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:44:57 GMT

My dancing awareness and suggestions publication is now openly available to everyone

Since 2019 a family of publications was developed and created awareness understanding and provided suggestions to make sure that dancers with head dippers are not disappointed when attending classes workshops events and conventions.

The documents were originally limited to the leaders and key crew members of the Birmingham base salsa dancing organisation Latinmotion.

Then in 2022, these documents were updated to include volunteering suggestions for participating in dancing conventions living with hidden differences. This was initially shared to Birmingham’s Latinmotion and London’s Manbo City linked with the NEC summer convention MotionCity. Then in the same year, these were featured online for the autism awareness audiences on the website of one of the UK's most respected awareness campaigns with Anna Kennedy OBE.

Now being openly available for everyone for the first time the documents have been rewritten and updated. This was developed to make sure more people involved in dancing are aware of factors which every needs to consider to enable inclusivity. In addition, the updated documents are a response to the concerns of experiencing unpleasant amounts of discrimination and ableism.

The specially written publication provides insight on the challenges of an independent person with hidden differences in specific partner dancing environments like Salsa Bachata, Kizomba, Cuban Salsa and many more. The documents also provide a variety of solutions and suggestions to make sure a person with hidden can able to maintain a positive experience without compromising situation which can affect their presence

Why this was created
Despite the dancing environments having a variety of people with different backgrounds, I have observed and experienced many situations when some people with hidden differences can be at a disadvantage and in some cases become discouraged. Especially if there's little or no ground-level understanding provided. These documents are designed to enable and improve inclusive environments regardless of the specific difficulties, strengths and any ability and capacity limitations.

You can now view and download these documents by visiting the Embrace Dancing webpage

Discover more
To anyone involved in dancing if you need to benefit from this document and would like additional aspects to spread the word and could benefit your dancing community, organisation, convention & events, get in touch via my LinkedIn profile

Notice to editors
Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art and design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparation has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating in two major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC

Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and educate higher Aspirations. Eventually develop this awareness initiative to provide future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

Hidden differences are used to describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety that is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions (including
Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and social Anxiety).

Awareness rebrand is not just a makeover

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 21:02:27 GMT

An insight of an identity reband for my umbrella awareness initiative & website

The changes were made for many reasons.

Firstly a change to how the identity symbol was used for for Plus Value Awareness because a recent rebrand of the transport operator Eurostar looked similar to the previous awareness identity. Despite I developed the previous identity design in the spring of 2021, there could be a risk of potential legal action due to the similarities.

Secondly, due to an increasingly creative and competitive awareness environment, the energy and enthusiasm need to be added with a strong consistency. This led to the introduction of curved value shapes as a visual identity. This consists of a curved upside-down triangle interpreted and a curved "V" for value. This created flexibility and adaptability on different formats & layouts online, on social media (posts & stories) and for printed materials

After 8 years the main font used to be updated as the previous font "Open Sans" was becoming very predictable and was becoming a burden in strengthening and maintaining the appeal to audiences online & beyond. So the use of the font is changed to "Lato" which means to bring new energy and raise enthusiasm to the topics and points addressed. Also, a new collection on flexible use of different typefaces to be displayed with specific projects and blogs for the general public and focused audiences. This is important to gain the attention of a more variety of audiences without appearing patronising or lecturing.

The rebrand is not just for Awareness.
The new style presenting is gradually being rolled out to this website and the enterprise proposal identity. This demonstrates a unified family of projects and developments from myself.

This includes the focus projects from this website and with Aware+Vision.
This is important to gain confidence to community and for enterprise environments.
So in summary the changes to improve enthusiasm, energy while improve appeal & confidence

 Futher awareness rebranding is available on the Transformation pages of the Plus Value Awareness website

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Presentation Transformation for Awareness projects

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:26:16 GMT

I have started the process of rebranding and redesigning my awareness initiative (Plus Value Awareness).

This is not just a simple rebrand but also some changes to how certain projects and online features are presented.

The new look and some changes are starting to be rolled out on the Plus Value Awareness website, social media and online blogs. This includes a new identity and some online improvements & changes with a change of strategy.

New identity
A new change to the brand identity with new colours, a new typeface and a new style presentation style with a new family of visual imagery. The rollout of the new look will occur on a gradual basis.

A new awareness presentation is launched to coincide with the new look. It is titled "Higher Aspirations" and presented as a multi-purpose tagline an introductory mini-feature and marketing information. It was designed at the starting point to start changing how we perceived hidden differences to encourage an open mind, a supportive mindset and to value a person to achieve and thrive positively.
The new "Higher Aspirations" mini-feature is now available online
Click here to explore

Other changes
The home page is redesigned and simplified with some changes to some of the links displayed.

Online structure changes which replace the Primary Awareness features (Value all, Valued More and Value Icons) with project categories identified by new style pictorial icons with direct links from the project index and the home page

Further changes are to be made gradually to the existing awareness projects, campaigns and online features.

Also, there will be some changes in the type of social media posts that are made depending on the particular network. As well as social media post templates & family of stories templates are developed to widen the audience reach.

The rebranding and improvement are to bring energy and enthusiasm. An additional layer of flexibility of creativity to be added with customised projects & features for specific audiences

Keep updated with the awareness improvements and changes by visiting the transformation webpage on the Plus Value Awareness website .

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The new look is part of a unified look towards a social enterprise proposal. Details will be confirmed at a later date.

Find out more of Plus Value Awareness by selcting the links below

Linked with

Notice to editors:
Plus Value Awareness
The Plus Value awareness initiative is a family of projects, information & campaigns about challenges understanding and awareness for people with invisible difficulties, to see a more human rather than medical aspects and to promote and to educate a better sense of value. Eventually to develop this awareness initiative to provide in the future potential services, products and social mission activities as part of the umbrella identity Aware+Vision

The words hidden differences describe independent people who live with specific neurological difficulties or Anxiety which is not noticed. This is associated with moderate or mild psychological and learning-related conditions. (including a mild form of Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and social Anxiety).

Keith Mckenzie
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in the music film documentary, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations. Also has been involved with providing awareness projects, campaigns & information for nearly 20 years with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes and events including participating in major salsa dancing conventions at Birmingham NEC

Disability Participation in Government changes

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 10:16:07 GMT

I took part with my biggest ever participation, this was for the Department for Work & Pensions
This is related to planned changes to how his abilities access benefits towards employment.

I have attended a consultation meeting and have developed two publications providing guidance and suggestions.

This is due to the proposed government bill by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which could not only affect the benefit they receive but also access more people with disabilities into employment.

My role is to make sure considerations are made towards neurodivergent (including Hidden Differences) and not face a generalised approach and procedures. This is made with an objective approach related to access disabilities into employment.

My role is to represent neurodiversity including those with hidden differences.

Consultation meeting
I have attended a consultation meeting in Birmingham arranged by the Department for Work & Pensions. The proposal document was used to develop a group of discussion tables. My input was addressing the bigger picture including the challenges that boundaries and important points to consider without making this all variety of disabilities are not a disadvantage.

Response publications

From the proposal documents by the Department for Work and Pensions, I have developed a series of publications with analysis. The initial version which included personal experiences his were shared two the DWP team at the consultation meeting. Two versions were made including a general analysis from the easy read person of the proposal documents with the second document providing a direct response linked to the proposal document questions.

After suggestions from the DWP staff, a general public version of the two analysis and response documents was made. (The public version does not include my personal experiences).

Some of the suggestions include embracing disability and neurodiversity in the same way that other diverse members of Society are approached. A suggestion of stronger joined-up thinking to make sure all disabilities including neurodiverse are not a disadvantage when visible in Society. Embracing ambitious people who are talented and have many positive qualities. Also to widen the overall approach including supporting disabilities to start businesses and to access education and training based on their talent.

The featured publications are now available to view online
Select the link below.

Please note the personal verson of the consultation response documents is not available to the general public and is restricted to staff policies and leaders related to the government and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Click here for more on other participation projects

 Linked with

Interactive Digital Developments

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:21:02 GMT

My innovative way of displaying examples of projects and other developments has been created for face-to-face meetings and when networking.

This involves creating digital interactive documents which fit into a size of a 10-inch tablet device. The interactive interface was designed and developed by myself. The overall look is a combination of a PowerPoint presentation and a website-style interaction.

Despite I have developed similar digital documents in the past related to displaying examples of my projects and development I wanted to develop this much further.
I wanted to develop something and find a smart and efficient way of displaying my projects and developments when attending meetings or when networking at events.

The development

This was developed through lots of planning research and preparation. It was created through several stages including developing a structure on how to navigate through different information and content. The next stage was to develop a series of trial digital documents on how it would be presented overall. After the initial trial in developing the documents, I started to include interactivity and how it can function when navigating through different aspects of the document. The final stage is particularly modifying the documents after making research and guidance from various professional designers. No programming coding was used throughout instead using digital desktop publishing software customised for displaying documents on this door devices such as tablets and videos display.

It was inspired by watching news programmes when a presenter or a reporter is using an interactive touchscreen display to write down a particular point and to present different aspects of information images and quotes from different sources. Also, it was inspired by American news programmes during elections where a larger touchscreen wall is used to explore different results from an interactive map developed nationally and regionally with comprehensive detailed voting results into towns villages and cities. It is also known in America as the "magic wall".

Portfilio document page examples

Showcase page example

How it works

These documents are presented as if it was a website with an index page and interaction interface in which you can select a particular section. In addition, parts of the documents have a small section with an interactive focused index or galleries.

The document also features special related developments including anything I am featured in such as newspapers or video campaigns. Additionally, an online linked page that contains QR codes for the audience to scan with direct links to some of my web pages including my awareness website, my main website and the online commonwealth special.

On most pages, it features a series of interactive buttons which includes a standby button and main and section index. Also, additional interactive buttons are used to navigate to and from the focus index to particular content. If a particular content has multiple information or images a group outline and filled circles to indicate how far the multiple gallery or information are within a focused subject. Alongside the group of sir navigation circles an interactive mini right arrow to navigate through the multiple content.

Overall the document is presented in a minimal approach to focus on the content related to the information or image from a particular project.

Showcase Digital Documents

This document demonstrates projects & Developments at the fingertips. The examples include Creative & Awareness.

It displays a quick summary of the range of developments. This includes a summary of the project for my awareness initiative plus value awareness and along with a snapshot of creative projects.

Portfilio Digital Documents

This document presents a summary of the type of art of design projects I have developed and the kind of creativity I could potentially develop. This ranges from graphic design including marketing, promotion, visual presentation, digital art and branding.

The document is broken down we've been the specific categories including the main section of creative projects along with the focus section of creative projects for my awareness initiative plus value awareness and local community.

Presentation

The document sections feature a series of interactive image links which enable the viewer to access the particular project very quickly.

Overall aim

These documents are designed to enable flexibility in what and the amount I share depending on the audience networking with their subject area of experience, interest and occupation. This means I can be selective about what I share and become when networking.

Feedback

I have shared both my portfolio and showcase documents at meetings and when networking at events. The response has led to positive engagement. Also, face positive feedback much more and much more quickly than when I use conventional printed portfolios.

This family of documents is designed in a way that it could also be used as part of a PowerPoint presentation face-to-face or online.

Interactive Touch point Organiser

With the developments made, a specialised touch point organiser was created for when I was volunteering for Latinmotion's NYE Fest, the UK's biggest New Year latin dancing event and MotionCITY one of the UK's largest dancing conventions (a joint event with Latinmotion and London's Manbocity) both located at Birmingham's NEC

 Visit the Creative page to find out more

 Additional developments

Further editions of the interactive documents are to be created focusing on a particular topic or subject along with the social enterprise proposal for business.

Because of the positive response, these documents will now be the framework for how I will present the projects on my main website in the future. This will be done in stages firstly converting the creative pages of my website then converting a family of web pages which combines different category areas before completing the rest of the website.

Get in touch

If you are interested to arrange a meeting where I can display these interactive showcase & portfolio documents in the meeting, please fill in the form on the contacts pages of this website.

 In addition, you can also get in touch by connecting with me on my LinkedIn profile

Notice to editors

Its great up north: event highlights

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 21:32:06 GMT

A special one-off seminar event presented by Birmingham Design, (the team behind the Birmingham Design Festival) focusing on artists and designers based in the north of England.

The presentation I watch including from Sana Iqbal from Studio Sana who uses design to benefit communities. Caroline Dowsett shares her insight on illustration and visual art. Tom Heaton from PHMG shows a variety of branding and creative presentation work through different platforms.

Also, I saw a limited presentation from Ryan and Mark Edwards from DR.ME .

That was one of the professionals who were so projects to the audience. This is related to Tom Heaton expressing his concern about how his original work has led to other organizations great something similar to what he has developed. I had a brief conversation with Tom and his presentation and acknowledge his frustrations with creativity challenges I explained how I face similar problems where I have developed and then found other organisations developed similarly up to two years afterward.

It was an amazing discovery to see the amazing project by specific creatives from the North of England and for the team to spend a couple hours in the Midlands

 Linked with

Birmingham Design Festival 2023

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 21:28:04 GMT

An event that combines workshops, presentation, talks and panel discussions.

The festival was over a two-day duration at different venues within central Birmingham.

The first day of the festival was mainly located at the Parkside campus of Birmingham City University when where the School of Art and Design along with the furniture showroom Minima near Hockley. The brand master class is a combination of workshop and presentation by the legendary international designers Brian Collins and Astrid Stavro from the award-winning consultancy Collins. Sharing insight and experiences of how they developed their business and projects even through changing times with the worldwide pandemic. As well as showing some examples of the projects they also enable the entire audience to be involved in a fun and interactive workshop.

The Type Trends report presents a collection of examples of the current trends in typography. This was presented by Brian Garham and Emilos Theofanous from Monotype.

Later on the same day a palelist discussion addressing the issues of career opportunities in design. It was presented by Design Council's Chief Design Officer Cat Drew. With guests including artist and broadcaster Vanessa Scott, Phil Garnham from Monotype and Graphic lecturer Jane Anderson at the School of Art and Design at the University of Birmingham.

Asked a question during the Q&A session
During this event, I asked a question to the panelists on how they need to improve opportunities for neurodivergent. The responses includles an apprentice scheme for Neurodivergents.

BDF Social
The first day ended with a social event which was located nearby at the Hockley social club. The opportunity to network with someone of people involved with the Birmingham Design Festival. Thanks to the kind comments of Jane Anderson, I was invited to the Art & Design Degree Show.

The Conference
The second day was conference day with a total of eight different presentation talks. The event was presented by Venessa Scott alongside Matt & Luke from the Birmingham Design team. This was locatred at Birmingham's Repertory thratre better known at "The Rep". A perfect location as the surrounding area of Central Birmingham has gone through major redevelopment with near by contemporary architcture and up to date transport links. (Inc trams running nearby along Broad Street)

The conference kicked off with a presentation from Marya Cerdà Alimbau demonstrating her work and emphasising the importance of inspiration from calligraphy as an inspiring source for developing typography design. Addressing the importance of having the same union between image and type while not mistaking flexibility for communication. Marya what's one of several guests of this festival which embraces artificial intelligence {A.I) to generate creativity.

Lex Fefegha demonstrates creativity tech and interactivity linking community, culture and solutions in today's issues and topics. Areas such as using tech for a broadcast network to develop wide perspectives on topics such as knife crime, and digital interactivity for public authorities. Also, many examples of how tech can be integrated with different aspects such as music and health care. A project was developed to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop music including using art to develop poetry with a rap glove. The morning session concludes with a presentation talk by visual artist and author Oliver Jeffers. Is demonstrates his work including illustrations for several books I've ever written by himself or for others also he's working on a special animation film on the theme of the universe.

The conference continues with the afternoon session starting with a presentation talk from puppetry director and designer Toby Olié. Gaming design was the theme of the next presentation talk by Abbie Heppe Director of Live Service at Media Molescule. This incluldes developing an virtal gaming festival during the worldwide pandemic.

Focusing on the topic of the theme of play and how it is still relevant to all ages was the theme from a presentation from the global brand director at the Lego group Sonal Jhuj

Gemma O'Brien, a designer and artist came from Australia just for the Birmingham Design Festival. Not only she shared examples of work using the PowerPoint presentation she also brought a very personalised creative collection book that uses how she develops her creativity with a high level of quality and how this is used to embrace her work for clients. Not only Gemma supports artificial intelligence in generating creative ideas but also in using A.I for generating writing using Chat GBT.

The event concluded with design and creative legend Brian Collins (Global Director of Collins) returning for the second day with his insight and perspective along with some sharing of his projects from his team at Collins. Brian emphasise of developing unintentional ideas to generate creativity and design. Despite the worldwide controversy with artificial intelligence, Brian emphasised A.I will not take over us humans. The emphasizes that artificial intelligence needs to be embraced. Brian closes the final presentation of the festival with an interactive karaoke with one of the most recognisable musical films in the world. This involves selected members of the audience to join in.

Birrmingham City University's Art & Design Degree Show
Three days after the Birmimgham Design Festival has ended, I was invited to attend the latest Art & Design degree show which displays of projects from students from Fine Art, Architecture, Product Design, interiors, Fashion, Graphic Communication and Photography. This was locationed at Parkside campus of Birmingham City University. Key memebrs of the Birmingham Design Fetsival was there along some of the volunteers of the festival.

Final Point
Embracing deisgn is important, the festival and the quests has proved this.

 Linked with

Attended UK Black Business Show & see my icon

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 21:10:19 GMT

An event which includles special guest Sir Trevor McDonald OBE

Select the photo gallery below

This blog provides my personal experiences when attending UK Black Business Show at Birmingham's NEC and being able to participate in a Q&A with one of my icons

This is the first time I've attended a business-related event in 5 years. My aim was to network and seek specific advice. Unlike other events I have attended during the spring months there was a reduced amount of organisations and people that I would approach because of their relevance.

Throughout the event, I meet with Business leaders, Business support advisors, Media staff and management. Had a great conversation with a journalist from London-based Colourful Radio and covered different insights and perspectives. The main approach related to organisations is with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull business growth hub and the business advice service with the West Midlands combined authority.

This was not the only reason I attended this event but also a special interview with one of the most legendary names in Britain and a very respected journalism and broadcasting. A special conversion was with Sir Trevor McDonald OBE was interviewed by Shelly Biston, head of diversity equity and inclusion at News UK.

The interview shares Sir Trevor's insight since he started journalism and broadcasting when he was based in Trinidad. Also, how it led to different kinds of opportunities with coming to the UK first with the BBC then became a monumental icon with independent television news (ITN) and the ITV network.

He shared different examples of the importance to display variety in journalism and reporting. Many people may not know that Sir Trevor reported on the disputes happening in Northern Ireland. He talked about how he approaches reporting in different parts of the world. Alsd Sir Trevor Shared his experiences when interviewing key leaders around of the world including Nelson Mandela the first journalist in the world interview him since he was imprisoned for many decades. Also, his insight on other exclusive interviews with Saddam Hussein over the gulf war and with former US President George W Bush. During that interview Trevor's hard-hitting interview to the former US Presedent related to Iraq War lad the president to have a defensive reaction.

My Q&A Opportunity directly to Sir Trevor
This keynote conversation opened to the audience for a Q&A. I had the special honor to be able to ask a question.

However, because of the strict rules they only allow a person within a section of the audience so I had to take a risk to ask two questions because someone nearby also wanted to ask a question. However, I was very polite to them and mentions if they don't be cheecky but to ask two questions Trevor responded cheeky everybody laughed. Firstly off of an audience member nearby, I first ask if there are people you wished you had a chance to interview which it never got to do.

The second question was what I plan to ask originally. It was to do with the progress of equality and diversity. As Sir Trevor was groundbreaking as one of the first black people in the fear his field of journalism and broadcasting. I emphasize other examples of progress for black and ethnic backgrounds in opportunities with women and with LGBT. I then conclude by asking if is it now time to be more accepting of black and ethnic backgrounds with neurodiversity and how to make sure a person's difficulty should not hold them back. I emphasize sharing living with the autistic spectrum and linked with neurodiversity and I explained that I have to face obstacles and prejudice. My planned question was the only one that the studio audiences clap to. Sir Trevor responded that they should be acceptance and explained there is no excuse for discrimination. He used this as a context for how it doesn't understand why in Afghanistan they banned women from work and education.

After the event
This keynote interview was being filmed for the event so after the interview I went to the production team to find out if the Q&A section of the interview was also filmed. With how I questioned Sir Trevor, surprisingly the team thought that I was a journalist. I found that as an amazing compliment, I wasn't expecting.

I would be informed by the team at the UK black business show if my q&a question was filmed or not. I will keep you updated on this and if the video is available I will notify and share this with everyone online.

Words cannot describe my experience when attending the UK black business show. It was an honor and privilege to not only attend this event but to be able to ask a Q&A question to my icon and someone with I look up to extremely high for most of my life.

Sir Trevor McDonald MBE is featured as one of my icons on a special Q&A webpage which avilable my special feature "Beyond Commonwealth" Click on the link below to explore

Featured in "The Voice" newspaper

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 19:23:10 GMT

During February 2023 I am featured in an article for "The Voice" Newspaper

The story written by the paper's midlands journalist and contribor Veron Graham.

The story cover different aspects,my experences, my insight and aspirations.

It includes my personal experiences livong with Asperger Syndrome, the challenges. How I was nomonated for a regional mental health award back in 2017, my awareness projects and my involvement of the commonwealth related video campaign.

This edition of the voice newspaper featuring me is available at newsstands around the uk during February. The Voice newspapers subscribers can able to access the newspaper and the story featuring me online.

Further developments will appear here and on social media.

Notice to editors:

The Voice
The monthly newspaper publications cover a variety of stories and topics related to UK-born people with the ethnicity of African-Caribbean backgrounds. In 2022 the paper celebrated its 40th Anniversary since then paper launched when it was a weekly publication to a monthly edition today on print and via a paywall subscription online.

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000, he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also are involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant. Also have participated in major dancing conventions twice a year at Birmingham's NEC for Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity.
In 2022, Keith become a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the commonwealth games

The Queen, my tribute

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 21:37:58 GMT

As a feature Commonwealth-related community participant, I write a personal tribute to the Queen's life and commitment.

I've never met the queen personally so I do not have any personal experiences. But, going back in time when I was a child, I only experienced seeing the queen face to face during a street procession visit to Worcestershire and seeing the queen bring some sparkle and uplifting vibes that some people might remark as magical.

I'm sure this has been an effect on many people who meet the Queen face to face, virtually when they have received an award from the queen.

THE WORLD PICTURE
Her long life and her commitment to providing the nation and commonwealth for 70 years is remarkable with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. No one in living memory is likely to experience this level of achievement and commitment ever again.

MY CONTRIBUTION
During the Platinum jubilee year, I was honoured to be a featured community participant for Birmingham to showcase the legacy of my city (where I was born) beyond the host city of the commonwealth games.
Click here to find out more

However, w hen the announcement was made related to the sad loss of Queen Elizabeth II, I realised that I have a greater responsibility to represent the city through good and bad times and do more to improve the positive legacy to my city, the region of the Midlands, the UK and the Commonwealth. This goes beyond my role as an awareness campaigner, creative designer and salsa dancing participant.

CONCLUSIONS
Just like many people around the world, I am very sad the hear about the loss of the Queen. My sympathy is with the Royal family and anyone who has met Her Majesty throughout her life.

So I end my blog to thank you to the queen for her life long commitment to our nation, the commonwealth and the wider world.

I wish H.M King Charles III the best of luck and hope his majesty will continue the legacy of her Mum, H.M Queen Elizabeth II

Visit the special "Beyond Commonwealth" Feature on this website and an additional special project related to the host city of the Commonwealth Games.

Notice to editors

Be Bold, Be Birmingham creative insight

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 21:48:18 GMT

This blog provides personal insight on developing the design for the Be Bold Be Birmingham Creative competition.

This was a very challenging project with developing a concept very quickly and within a short amount of days. This was because I was only aware of the competition a few days before the entry deadline.

Background
However, I wanted to present something different from the standard techniques and styles used for bold marketing and promotion.

This led to creating visual concepts to be the focal point which will draw the audience.

Preparation
I need to explore what aspects are needed for the projects and the message behind the design. So I brainstorm visual elements around the city identity, visual elements and showcase effects.

The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape.

Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area.

Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area.

Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message.

In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council

The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape.

The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project.

The design visuals started with the visual environment which represents the showcase element. However, I wanted to be specific so I decided on visual effects around the abstract large letter b shape with visual elements inside the letter shape.

Secondly, I start to visualise the cultural identity including art, music, dancing, industries and innovation. Each example was created separately before adding each artwork to the main design area.

Secondary I develop the showcase aspects using a series of neon tube shapes and circle light bulbs in the main design area.

Finally, add visual images of selected landmarks and iconic places of the city. However, the I did must not be historic to emphasize the bold message.

In the complete design, the colours used were modified to specific colour guidelines. This is associated with the corporate colour scheme for the commonwealth games for Birmingham and the marketing initiatives by Birmingham City Council

The design is complete in a colour blend with the "Be Bold Be Birmingham" title displayed within the colour bend shape.

The overall aim is to emphasise a showcase world-class city with a strong and unique local identity. As result, the showcase is the visual interpretation of the boldness of this project.

Visit the special Beyond Commonwealth feature on this website related to my involvement in the showcasing the launch city of the commonwealth games

 To see this creative project in detail visit the link below

Linked with

Notice to editors

Be Bold video campaign my personal insight

keith_mckenzie@hotmail.com (Keith Mckenzie) — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 22:07:03 GMT

I was asked to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen a positive legacy for Birmingham.

Despite I have been featured on videos in the past, it is usually related to being featured or involved in projects by other people or organisations. This is the first time being featured in a film totally about me.

Background
This is for a digital campaign on social media. Titled "Be Your Personal Best' and featuring selected individuals who are making a positive difference in the community. My involvement is linked with the "Be Bold, Be Birmingham" the marketing initiative by Birmingham City Council to showcase the host city for the commonwealth games.

Preparation
This involves me being interviewed on video with many questions to answer. This took many weeks to prepare. What many people don't realise with preparing is to summarise and gathering lots of involvement and experiences in a simplified form is very intense and time-consuming. Even though I provided initial answers the production team replied with many simplified expressions. Converting into initial scripts any points I have expressed were taken out. This means it is not possible to include all the key areas I wanted to express. A narrative has to be effective with a limited time duration. After receiving the initial scripts I then revised them a few times before finalising filming. The confirmed scripts were then converted into a large display reference.

The next preparation of selected examples of my projects then converting each image example to high-quality output. This takes selecting examples and shortlisting images which would be effective. Also, two original showcases of creative projects were seveloped in time for the video interview.

During the preparation, I have been in regular contact with the production team. Due to my salsa involve they would like to feature my dancing salsa. So I discussed this with my friend Pauline who I assist regularly in dance classes the idea. This leads to a suggestion to use the venues used to dance classes.

The filming
This filming was located at Broadway Dance Centre, a dance Studio who have a major heritage and legacy for dance teaching for many generations.

It started with being filmed dancing salsa which included line demonstration and partner dance moves. As well as Pauline my friends Justin & Suzi join us with salsa and Bachata dancing.

The second part of the filming was an image profile of me standing looking at the filming camera with certain scenes with the camera zooming towards me.

The filming concludes with an interview, it was a very intense experience, especially with the large lighting close to me. However, the large script display I have to develop helped able to communicate my interview answers effectively.
Also due to references I created, the amount of refilming or retaking the interview was reduced. Because this also leads to the reductions of any filming breaks. The filming team was supportive and held my script display while filming.

Overall the experience was a combination of energy, intensity and a lot of adjustments to make sure the filming satisfying to the production team.

The production team was very impressed with the strong expression and the over messages, especially with the legacy direction which my city needs to consider.

So my verdict is on my fixtures and being filmed, this is extremely new for me being profiled in this way. When I told my friends and family about being featured all of them mentioned I was far too overdue. For most of my life, I have been low-key and focused on developing project content and don't put myself in the limelight because of a very competitive and perceptive society. However, there are occasions like this where I have to step up to the plate and deliver on the work I have done and my insight.

I know recognition doesn't come to me by accident, I have to work for it and this applies to everyone else. Don't expect anything positive to come to you quickly. It is about commitment & dedication in a respectful way and without toxic attitudes or resentment.

Special thanks to Birmingham City Council and the marketing agency Liquid to get involved with this unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Also special thanks to my friend Pauline also thanks to Justin and Suzi who have shown my support and appeared with me in the campaign video. Also thanks to the team of Liquid for their high level of proffesionalism and for Alison Roberts from Birmingham City Council for inviting me to get involved.

View the video campaign online featuring me via the
official Birmingham City Council social media channels

Visit the special "Beyond Commonwealth" Feature on this website and an additional special project related to the host city of the Commonwealth Games.

Linked with

Notice to editors

New Year celebrations with Fireworks

Sun, 08 Jan 2017 01:22:26 GMT

Article orginally created in January 2017

A Summary of mobile phone images from the outdoor New Year Celeberations to start 2017, outside the NEC near Birmingham grounds provided by the Resorts World Complex.

The celebrations features a spectactular fireworks display along with a drum band in a multicolour neon light display. All the is infront of lake setting in front of the Resorts World complex.

keithmckenzie

Specialised study on ambition

My dancing barriers by perception

My Dancing Navigations

The importance of respect & connections in dancing

Naidex 2026 - The Highlights

A special neurodiversity workplace event

My second visit to The Photography & Video Show

Transport accessibility Summit

Creative Summit Highlghts

Consultation Action Update

NYE Fest Highlights into 2026

My experence during Neurodiversity Celebration Week

﻿ Notice to Editors

More progress must be made

﻿ Notice to Editors

Salsa Marketing revamp

Developed enhanced dancing guides

My Dancing related developments for the New Year

A Festive Thank you

Transport participation to improve connected journeys

Transformation of Valuing Hidden Differences has started

My action since participating in a consultation

Special event representing the BBC in Birmingham

Highlights of two Social economic events

"Flagging the issue" a special design event

Special Salsa Marketing

Awareness panelist for a second time

Special transport awareness event on neurodiversity

Birmingham Tech Week 2025: The Festival Highlights

Festival of Enterprenurs 2025: This event highlights

Participating in Bristol with a Hip-Hop legend

Birmingham Fashion Week 2025 launch night & art gallery

Attended a nationwide housing particiation event

This is a subtitle for your new post

Neuroinclusion Conference: The event Highlights

Not a medal of shame

Positive Value project transformed

MotIon City 2025 Highlights

Navigating Solutions

Birmingham Disability Festival 2025 Highlights

The Epic Story of Graffiti

Birmingham Design Festival 2025 Highlights

Disability consultation Publications, second edition

Second Dancing related Awareness Special

Transforming an integrated Awareness Feature is complete

Evolved Awareness Presenation online

Online changes in supporting Awareness events

Participated in a disability webinar with the Combined Authority

My Particpation at the Q&A event to the West Midlands Mayor

My dancing barriers and obstacles at conventions

Everyone in dancing must break the dividing environment

2025 Round-up edition 2

A special city legacy event

Travel safety educational video involvement

Attended two events during Neurodiversity Celebration Week

My area must improve attitudes

Special article of me during World Autism Acceptance Month

Insight: Be wiser and avoid being reactive

Featured on a travel safety awareness video

Transport Awareness Developments (Early 2025)

Participated with a Hate Crime event

2025 Round-up edition 1

Some changes to the special awareness feature

Welcome - My new online home with more to come

Round-up towards New Year's Day 2025

Special thank you salsa event

I was part of a special celebration event linked with the classes I have participated in.

Personal action: Telegraph Article

Some details about some actions I have taken against a major National news publisher.

NYE Fest into 2025

A summary of highlights & my involvement of the UK's largest latin dancing related New Year's event organised by Latinmotion

Insight: Be smarter in moving Forward

Unity Forward insight document updated

Motion City 2024: the Highlghts

Awareness Connectivity

Birmingham Design Festival 2024

Hip-Hop Round-up

Update on my personal action

Atteneded two transport events

Notice to Editors

Notice to Editors