--- title: "Advocacy & Allyship: Harnessing Your Power | Insights from Parham Doustdar" description: Discover the power of advocacy and allyship in our webinar with Parham Doustdar, a blind programmer and Product Accessibility leader at Booking.com. Parham shares his inspiring career journey, the impact of working as a blind professional, and strategies for fostering inclusion and allyship in the workplace. Tune in now to gain insights into overcoming accessibility challenges and driving positive change. image: https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/Blog%20Image%20Template%20(19).png --- [![Tech Recruitment Services International Staffing Solutions](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Templeton%20Logo.png?width=150&height=60&name=Templeton%20Logo.png "Tech Recruitment Services International Staffing Solutions")](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com) # Advocacy & Allyship: Harnessing Your Power | Insights from Parham Doustdar Posted by [Templeton](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/author/templeton) on Wednesday, 29 May 2024 Blind programmer Parham Doustdar has a wealth of insights into inclusion and advocacy in the working world, in his position leading Product Accessibility at Booking.com, and his own experience seeing the world differently.    Parham shares:  - His personal **career journey** as a disabled tech professional working around the world  - How **working as a blind professional** informs his approach to Tech and Engineering  - The forgotten **accessibility and inclusion challenges** that most impact diverse and disabled professionals in the workplace  - The power of allyship: how allies have supported his career, and **how to become a true ally**.    **Tune in now!** Here's a recap of the insightful discussion and key takeaways from the podcast:   **Parham's Personal Journey**  Parham's career trajectory is as inspiring as it is illuminating. From teaching himself programming at the age of 14 to relocating from Iran to the Netherlands, his story is a testament to perseverance and passion. Initially starting as a backend engineer, Parham's transition into Cloud engineering and DevOps showcased his adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges.  In 2018, Parham assumed the role of co-chair of an Employee Resource Group at Booking.com, focusing on supporting individuals with physiological and neurological diversity. His personal experiences, particularly as a blind professional, fueled his commitment to advocating for accessibility and inclusion in the workplace.  **The Power of Allyship**  During the podcast, Parham shed light on the forgotten accessibility and inclusion challenges that disproportionately impact diverse and disabled professionals. He emphasized the transformative power of allyship, sharing how allies have supported his career and offering guidance on how others can become true allies.  **Advocacy and Self-Advocacy**  The insights into self-advocacy resonate deeply with professionals navigating diverse workplaces. He highlighted the importance of advocating for one's needs, balancing mental health with professional demands, and developing personal and professional resilience. Parham also provided practical strategies to prevent accessibility burnout and foster a culture of proactive engagement among colleagues.  **Seeking External Guidance**  Central to Parham's journey is the value of seeking external guidance and support. As a life coach for diverse individuals, he emphasized the role of coaching in exploring new perspectives and potential solutions. Cultivating a supportive social network, both within and outside the workplace, emerged as a crucial component of personal and professional growth.  **Check it out!** Our podcast offered invaluable insights into the power of advocacy, allyship, and self-advocacy in the tech industry. Parham’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for professionals facing similar challenges, reminding us of the importance of inclusivity and empowerment in fostering diverse and thriving workplaces.  At Templeton and Partners, we are committed to championing diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. We strive to create a more equitable and supportive environment for all professionals.  Join us in embracing the principles of advocacy and allyship to harness your power and drive positive change in the working world. Together, we can build a more inclusive future for all.    Topics: [Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/diversity-equity-inclusion-dei) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Thought Leadership (71)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/thought-leadership) - [Careers Advice (48)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/careers-advice) - [Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) (39)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/diversity-equity-inclusion-dei) - [Templeton Internal News (18)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/templeton-internal-news) - [Conversations with (3)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/conversations-with) - [Events (2)](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/tag/events) [See all](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/parham-doustdar#) ## You might also be interested in... ### [Advancing Accessibility in Tech: UserWay Accessibility Widget Now Live on Templeton & Partners' Website](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/advancing-accessibility-in-tech-userway-accessibility-widget-now-live-on-templeton-partners-website) Careers Advice ### [Practical Tips for IT Contractors: Networking, Contract Negotiation, Finances, and Remote Productivity](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/practical-tips-for-it-contractors-networking-contract-negotiation-finances-and-remote-productivity) Thought Leadership ### [Reinventing Recruitment in the Post-Pandemic Era](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/tech-news/reinventing-recruitment-in-the-post-pandemic-era) [![Facebook Icon](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/New%20Website%20Images/Facebook%20Icon.png) ](https://www.facebook.com/Templetonrecruitment) [![instagram_icon](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/instagram_icon.webp) ](https://www.instagram.com/templetonrecruitment/) [![linkedin](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/linkedin-1.png) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/122656/admin/) [![twitter](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/twitter.png) ](https://twitter.com/TempletonTech) [![youtube](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hubfs/youtube.png) ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH0vGq9h-7xjnM6moO_HUlw) **Employers – **[Find a Tech Professional](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/recruit-tech-teams) **Candidates – **[Find an IT Job](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/jobs) **Recruiters** – [Work for Us](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/recruitment-jobs-careers) [![Contact](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9426055/8d3f4b11-22f3-42d1-be42-f45a2b98249a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9426055/8d3f4b11-22f3-42d1-be42-f45a2b98249a) **[London](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                    **[+44 20 7074 6000](tel:+442070746000) **[Paris](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                 **       [+33 189 165 333](tel:+33189165333) **[Amsterdam](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)              **[+31 20 3030 000](tel:+31203030000) **[Munich](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                    [tel:+496931090052](tel:+496931090052)**[+49 69 310 900 52](tel:+496931090052) **[Zurich](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                    **   [+41 43 550 7615](tel:+41435507615) **[Warsaw](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                    [tel:+48221284872](tel:+48221284872)**[+48 22 128 48 72](tel:+48221284872) **[New York](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                  **[+1 212 461 3888](tel:+12124613888) **[Bangalore](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/contact-us)                 **[+91 807 127 9888](tel:+918071279888) [Candidate Portal](mailto:mail@templeton-recruitment.com) [Privacy Policy](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/terms/privacy-policy) [Terms of Use](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/terms/terms) [Remove My Details](mailto:dataprotection@templeton-recruitment.com) [![Cyber-Essentials-Logo](https://www.templeton-recruitment.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cyber-Essentials-Logo.png?width=129&height=31&name=Cyber-Essentials-Logo.png)](https://hubs.ly/Q02YcM7_0)   Copyright All rights reserved. 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