Meet the Reader - Leyla Okhai

Leyla Okhai, Staff Disability Adviser (Equalities Unit) on her role and what she would do if she were editor of the staff newspaper Reporter

What are you doing in the picture?

I’m about to go to the Paralympics women’s wheelchair basketball quarter finals. I’m particularly interested in the Games as I support disabled staff at Imperial. The Paralympics are said to be sold out for the first time, so I was thrilled to get tickets.

What would you do if you were editor of Reporter for a day?

I would focus the issue on what disability encompasses, how disabled staff bring both skills and expertise to a job, as well as fresh perspectives due to their own personal journey and the way they see the world. For example, staff with mental health problems often have huge powers of empathy making them willing to go the extra mile in their jobs.

Who would be your cover star?

I’d feature alumna Alexandra Rickham (Environmental Policy 2006), a tetraplegic who just won bronze for sailing in the 2012 Paralympics – she is a great role model.

Want to be the next reader featured in Reporter? Send in a picture of yourself with a copy of Reporter in your location of choice to: reporter@imperial.ac.uk