The choice of the ideal speaker for a conference on disability depends above all on the goal you are pursuing, and not solely on the topic being addressed. The key is to find the speaker whose background and vision will best resonate with the specific expectations of your audience. This guide offers a comparison of ten renowned speakers, highlighting their areas of expertise: strategy, management, operations, decision-making, human dimension, among others. Rather than a ranking, you will find here an analysis designed to best match your needs with a relevant profile. The aim is to help you make an informed, objective choice.
| Speaker | Overview | Angle | Objective | Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Virginie Delalande Français | Angle An embodiment of success despite deafness, she proves that anything is possible. Objective Boost confidence and boldness in the face of disability Target Managers, teams, large companies, inspirational seminars | An embodiment of success despite deafness, she proves that anything is possible. | Boost confidence and boldness in the face of disability | Managers, teams, large companies, inspirational seminars |
 Sébastien BICHON Français | Angle Former Paralympic athlete, he demonstrates how obstacles become a driving force for competitiveness. Objective Turning adversity into a lever for collective performance Target Executive committees, team-building seminars, companies undergoing transformation | Former Paralympic athlete, he demonstrates how obstacles become a driving force for competitiveness. | Turning adversity into a lever for collective performance | Executive committees, team-building seminars, companies undergoing transformation |
 Florence Alix-gravellier Français | Angle Double Paralympic medalist, she connects diversity, leadership, and collective success. Objective Unleashing the strength of the collective through diversity Target CODIR, HR, managers, events on diversity and inclusion | Double Paralympic medalist, she connects diversity, leadership, and collective success. | Unleashing the strength of the collective through diversity | CODIR, HR, managers, events on diversity and inclusion |
 Marine CHOSSON Français | Angle Manager faced with stroke, she shares a practical method for reintegrating and valuing vulnerable talents. Objective Support the return to and retention in employment after a life-changing event Target HR, managers, companies in the social or medico-social sector | Manager faced with stroke, she shares a practical method for reintegrating and valuing vulnerable talents. | Support the return to and retention in employment after a life-changing event | HR, managers, companies in the social or medico-social sector |
 Paul Fontaine Français | Angle An adventurer living with cystic fibrosis, he turns the illness into a driving force for surpassing limits and collective enthusiasm. Objective Inspiring optimism and resilience through adventure and sport Target Companies, conventions, sales teams, young audiences | An adventurer living with cystic fibrosis, he turns the illness into a driving force for surpassing limits and collective enthusiasm. | Inspiring optimism and resilience through adventure and sport | Companies, conventions, sales teams, young audiences |
 Lali Dugelay Français | Angle An autistic speaker, she sheds light on the reality of visible and invisible disabilities, especially psychological ones. Objective Raising awareness of the diversity of disabilities and inclusion in the workplace Target HR, managers, SMEs, awareness workshops, public sector | An autistic speaker, she sheds light on the reality of visible and invisible disabilities, especially psychological ones. | Raising awareness of the diversity of disabilities and inclusion in the workplace | HR, managers, SMEs, awareness workshops, public sector |
 Tiffany Mazars Français | Angle Expert in invisible disabilities, she shares her experience and offers suggestions for better integrating these realities in the workplace. Objective Raising awareness of the challenges of invisible disabilities Target Managers, HR, CSR-committed companies, diversity conferences | Expert in invisible disabilities, she shares her experience and offers suggestions for better integrating these realities in the workplace. | Raising awareness of the challenges of invisible disabilities | Managers, HR, CSR-committed companies, diversity conferences |
 Steves HOUNKPONOU Français | Angle Born entrepreneur with a motor disability, he highlights the power of commitment and self-surpassing. Objective Boost motivation and boldness in the face of difference Target Startups, sales teams, motivational events, young audiences | Born entrepreneur with a motor disability, he highlights the power of commitment and self-surpassing. | Boost motivation and boldness in the face of difference | Startups, sales teams, motivational events, young audiences |
 ERIC PAYAN Français | Angle A former senior executive who became visually impaired, he shares his keys to success despite losing his sight. Objective Inspire adaptation and acceptance of disability in the workplace Target Managers, large companies, inclusion forums, inspiring conferences | A former senior executive who became visually impaired, he shares his keys to success despite losing his sight. | Inspire adaptation and acceptance of disability in the workplace | Managers, large companies, inclusion forums, inspiring conferences |
 Nadalette La Fonta -Six Français | Angle A writer who became paraplegic, she explores resilience and the search for meaning after a life-changing accident. Objective Giving meaning to adversity and personal transformation Target Transformation seminars, resilience events, audiences in career transition | A writer who became paraplegic, she explores resilience and the search for meaning after a life-changing accident. | Giving meaning to adversity and personal transformation | Transformation seminars, resilience events, audiences in career transition |
Angles and Specificities of Each Speaker
Angle: Embodying success despite deafness, she proves that anything is possible.
For which audience / event: Managers, teams, large companies, inspirational seminars
Choose if… You want to inspire your teams to overcome limiting beliefs and celebrate differences.
Conference to watch: Give Up? Never!
Angle: A former Paralympic athlete, he demonstrates how obstacles can become a driving force for competitiveness.
For which audience/event: Executive committees, team-building seminars, companies undergoing transformation
Choose if… You want to raise awareness about resilience and performance during times of uncertainty.
Conference to watch: Turning obstacles into a competitive advantage
Angle: Double Paralympic medalist, she connects diversity, leadership, and collective success.
For which audience / event: Executive committees, HR, managers, events focused on diversity and inclusion
Choose if… You want to link collective performance and inclusion, with the perspective of a leader and athlete.
Conference to watch: REVERS GAGNANTS - Unleashing human potential to unlock collective performance.
Angle: A manager faced with a stroke, she shares a practical method for reintegrating and valuing employees who have become vulnerable.
For which audience / event: HR, managers, companies in the social or medico-social sector
Choose if… You’re looking for tools to manage acquired disabilities and support job retention.
Conference to watch: REACTive: the method to retain your talent after a life-changing accident.
Angle: Adventurer living with cystic fibrosis, he turns illness into a driving force for surpassing limits and collective enthusiasm.
For which audience / event: Companies, conventions, sales teams, young audiences
Choose if… You want an energizing talk on resilience and team spirit through the lens of sports.
Conference to watch: STEEL MINDSET – Boost Your Mindset, Energize Your Teams, Open Your Heart
Angle: As an autistic speaker, she sheds light on the reality of visible and invisible disabilities, especially psychological ones.
For which audience / event: HR, managers, SMEs, awareness workshops, public sector
Choose if… You want to understand the diversity of disability situations and improve inclusion in everyday life.
Conference to watch: DISABILITY IN ALL ITS DIVERSITY
Angle: As an expert on invisible disabilities, she shares her personal experience and offers insights on how to better integrate these realities within the workplace.
For which audience/event: Managers, HR professionals, CSR-committed companies, diversity conferences
Choose if… You want to break the taboos around invisible disabilities and promote an inclusive culture.
Conference to watch: Invisible Disability, Capable Differently
Angle: An entrepreneur born with a motor disability, he highlights the power of commitment and pushing beyond your limits.
For which audience/event: Startups, sales teams, motivational events, young audiences
Choose if… You want to boost initiative and showcase difference as an entrepreneurial asset.
Conference to watch: Perspective: Breaking Free from Others’ Judgments and Moving Forward
Angle: A former senior executive who became visually impaired, he shares his keys to success despite losing his sight.
For which audience/event: Managers, large companies, inclusion forums, inspiring conferences
Choose if… You’re looking for a testimonial about embracing disability and achieving lasting professional success.
Conference to watch: Adapting: The Challenge of a Lifetime!
Angle: A writer who became paraplegic, she addresses resilience and the search for meaning after a life-changing accident.
For which audience / event: Transformation seminars, events on resilience, audiences in transition
Choose if… You want to explore the existential dimension of disability and inspire personal rebuilding.
Talk to watch: Giving Meaning to the Ordeal, Giving Meaning to Your Life
How to Decide Quickly
To quickly choose the most suitable speaker for your event on disability, start by identifying your main objective or the key message you want to convey. Here’s how to guide your decision based on your specific needs:
- If you want to inspire your teams to overcome limiting beliefs and value difference → Virginie Delalande — embodiment of success despite deafness.
- If you want to raise awareness about resilience and performance in times of uncertainty → Sébastien Bichon — former Paralympic athlete, he turns obstacles into drivers of competitiveness.
- If you want to connect collective performance and inclusion, with the perspective of a leader and athlete → Florence Alix-gravellier — double Paralympic medalist, she links diversity, leadership, and collective success.
- If you’re looking for tools to manage acquired disabilities and job retention → Marine Chosson — manager who overcame a stroke, she shares a practical method for reintegrating vulnerable talent.
- If you want an energizing talk on resilience and team spirit through a sports example → Paul Fontaine — adventurer living with cystic fibrosis, he brings optimism and a drive to surpass oneself.
- If you want to understand the diversity of disability situations and improve daily inclusion → Lali Dugelay — autistic speaker, she sheds light on the reality of visible and invisible disabilities.
- If you want to break the taboos around invisible disabilities and foster an inclusive culture → Tiffany Mazars — expert on invisible disabilities, she offers concrete ways to support integration.
- If you’re looking to boost initiative and value difference as an entrepreneurial asset → Steves Hounkponou — entrepreneur born with a motor disability, he highlights commitment and self-transcendence.
- If you want a testimonial on accepting disability and achieving lasting professional success → Eric Payan — former executive who became visually impaired, he shares his keys to success despite vision loss.
- If you want to address the existential dimension of disability and inspire personal rebuilding → Nadalette La Fonta-Six — writer who became paraplegic, she explores resilience and the search for meaning.
FAQ
How do I determine which speaker best matches the objective of my conference on disability?
Start by clearly defining the message or impact you want: raising awareness, sharing experiences, or technical expertise. For example, if you want to inspire audiences about overcoming challenges, Virginie Delalande or Paul Fontaine are suitable choices, while for addressing workplace accessibility, Florence Alix-gravellier or Steves HOUNKPONOU may be a good fit.
How do I choose a speaker suited to my audience (students, employees, managers, etc.)?
Identify your audience’s expectations and level of knowledge. For example, for a younger audience, Marine CHOSSON will know how to captivate them, while for professionals, Eric PAYAN or Tiffany Mazars will provide concrete feedback and real-world experience.
What conference formats do speakers on disability generally offer?
Speakers can present in plenary sessions, interactive workshops, or round tables. Specify your preference when making contact: Lali Dugelay favors participatory exchanges, while Nadalette La Fonta-Six offers inspiring testimonials in a conference format.
How can I assess the technical level or specialization of a speaker on disability?
Review the speaker’s background and previous talks: some, like Sébastien BICHON, cover technical or legal aspects, while others, like Steves HOUNKPONOU, share their personal experiences and civic engagement.
What information should I provide to the speaker to help them prepare effectively?
Provide a detailed brief: audience profile, objectives, desired duration, and any specific expectations. Specialized platforms like Lespeakers can help you formalize this brief and facilitate communication with the speaker.
What’s next?
Once your angle is clarified, the simplest step is to formalize your brief (objective, audience, format, duration, constraints). We can help you match with the right speaker on disability.
For a detailed shortlist with biographies, also check out our selection of speakers on disability.