Pursuing accessible aviation for all
Welcome to Rocket Girl Coaching
Rocket Girl Coaching is a UK based consultancy founded by Mary Doyle. My life and work is dedicated to personal and organisational development to improve inclusion and understanding in society through coaching, consultancy and disability equality training.
My clients include everyone from multinational corporations to charities, from individual executives to marginalised communities. I believe coaching should be accessible to all, including people from lower incomes, which often includes disabled people.
Find Out MoreCore Principles
My Values
No matter the client, I always work with the same core values, to help you in the best way I can.
My Expertise
What I Can Offer You
I have a wealth of experience from which I am able to offer my coaching and consultation services.
Disability Equality Training
I am a Disability Equality and Awareness course author and experienced trainer. I have decades of lived and direct corporate management experience, Level 4 Certificates in Inclusion and Diversity and Safeguarding.
Find Out MoreAccessible Aviation Consulting
I am an experienced traveller, aviation geek and I learnt to fly with a scholarship in 2012. I am an accessible aviation consultant, trainer and author of aviation articles published by industry leaders.
Find Out MoreOnline Executive Coaching
I will work as your coach to listen well, ask the powerful questions with compassion, be an accountability partner, and facilitate learning to empower. I take my work very seriously and I am also a big believer in playfulness and humour.
Find Out MoreTestimonials
What My Clients Say
See what my many awesome clients say about my work, click on them for more details.
For the Disability and Ableism in Coaching Guest Lecture. I had the opportunity to hear Mary speak when she was a guest lecturer on my MSc in Coaching Psychology. It was one of the very best sessions of the…
For the Serving Disabled People In Style Workshop (1 hour). What stood out to you most during the workshop? Mary’s enthusiasm was so infectious. And just how simple it is if we all treated each other as humans. Great authentic…
For the Serving Disabled People In Style Workshop (1 hour). What words describe the workshop? “Thought-provoking, informative, fun, interesting and sensible”. “It was really good to have an overview of disability, without going into details about any specific types”….
For the Disability and Ableism in Coaching Workshop. I would highly recommend Mary as a guest speaker at any event. The topic she addresses is incredibly important and Mary’s playful yet provocative style ensures anyone who hears her will…
For the Rocking Your Difference At Work Workshop. What words describe the workshop? “Inspiring, reflective, restorative, compassionate, uplifting, reviving, interesting, applicable.” 100% of attendees who provided feedback agree: They feel more confident about their disability and they are enough….
We had the privilege of working with Mary on the development of the ACCESS PRM lavatory. She was fantastic to work with – incredibly knowledgeable, a very fast learner and gave really useful, insightful feedback. Her suggestions helped shape…
Daniel Clucas – Senior Designer
(Acumen Design Associates)Mary provided several workshops for Disabled job seekers on an employment programme called CREATE, a new initiative from ILMI. Mary’s custom workshops were described by the attendees as empowering, motivating, progressive, thought-provoking, supportive and powerful. Mary was a sensational…
Independent Living Movement Ireland
(Independent Living Movement Ireland)Mary was a superstar speaker at our international Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace event, really helping people connect and understand her passion for equity. She is an absolute inspiration which resulted in everyone in the room fixated and…
Tobi Collett – Head of HR, EMEA
(Allegis Global Solutions)The Disability Equality Training for Aviation provides a new and fresh approach and is far beyond “tick the box” training. Provided by specialists with deep knowledge, lived experience and who have faced these challenges first hand, it shows staff…
Jane Middleton – Chair, Airlines UK
(Airlines UK)Mary is cheerful, informed and inspirational. She has listened attentively and been available when I have needed support in coming to terms with a disability and all that it entails. I am continuing to work with Mary because I…
E.C. University of Oxford
(University of Oxford)Mary is an engaging and thoughtful speaker who has the gift of being able to take the audience on a journey with her. It was a thought-provoking session and I’d recommend any company that needs to educate its team…
Tim Snell – Head of Performance
(Modulous Ltd)The Disability Equality Training for Aviation was very Informative, thought provoking, and encouraged challenge. Excellent course, I would recommend it.
Simon Wells – Flight Operations Standards Lead
(UK Civil Aviation Authority)Disability Equality Training for Aviation provides such a balance of disability equality and awareness for the aviation environment, which is also designed and delivered by specialists in accessibility and aviation – it’s fantastic.
Geraldine Lundy, MBE. Director
(Accessible Travel Consultancy Ltd)Your coaching and support changed me from a mouse into a lion.
AJ
(ACI Worldwide)Coaching with Mary was a great experience for me, as it helped me overcome some professional challenges and provided me with support throughout a new career journey.
Sara
(Saïd Business School)Mary brings such a wealth of experience, empathy and good-humoured enthusiasm to every coaching session that it is impossible not to leave feeling better than when you started. Coaching with Mary is a subtle and rewarding experience. The first…
Rob – Senior Engineering Manager
(Air New Zealand)See Who I Have Worked With
My Clients
Video Transcript
Seth Miller APEX - Last week Maryann, we spent a good amount of time talking about the IATA Global Accessibility Symposium and a little bit about United Airlines making some changes to it's app that are focussed on it's visually impaired customers. And this week continuing that trend we've got Mary Doyle on the show as our guest, she's an accessible aviation consultant and disability equality trainer and also an accredited online coach.
Maryann Simson APEX - That's right, Mary is a lovely and very talented, accomplished lady, she was named one of Britain's most influential disabled people on the Disability Power 100 List in both 2018 and 2020. She is also a nominee for Positive Role Model for the National Diversity Awards for 2020, with lots of accomplishments under her belt. She has just launched a new aviation training course together with the Queen Elizabeth Foundation here in the UK and she's here to tell us a little bit more about that now. Hi Mary! Welcome to the show!
Mary Doyle - Hi Maryann, hi Seth!
Seth Miller APEX - Congratulations on that launch Mary! Tell us exactly what Disability Equity Training for Aviation is and why it really matters?
Mary Doyle - This is an online and instructor led course which is very interactive, it's full of chat, discussions, videos of very highly topical content. The content is created in line with the UK Disabled People’s Movement and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. At its core are the principles of securing equal rights for all disabled people. We recognise that the problem is one of social discrimination and we use insight from 100’s of passengers, that QEF have interviewed and surveyed regarding their journey by air to help affect our attendees behaviours and actions. Such courses must be designed by disabled people or people with lived experience, must be given and delivered by experienced disabled trainers and are very participatory and action oriented, which makes it a lot more interesting and it's not a lecture.
We are not about making non-disabled people feel guilty or giving any people a hard time. We seek to increase attendees' understanding of disabled people, our rights, and to comply with accessible aviation laws.
Maryann Simson APEX - You're working together with QEF (Queen Elizabeth Foundation) to deliver the course. What makes them such the perfect partner for you?
Mary Doyle - I've been planning on this course for many years, based on my knowledge and experience as a regular traveller, a disabled person and as an engineering manager in a worldwide corporate. I have approached this as a business problem and we believe our new course is part of the business solution for Accessible Aviation. It meets the needs of our colleagues and is also to support the economic recovery of aviation by creating confident customers. QEF have been at the forefront of accessible aviation for over a decade, and my colleagues at QEF, including Graham Race, are just awesome people and I'm super happy to be working with them. They have already created things like the MERU travel seat for disabled children which goes in the cabin, they already have the TRYB4UFLY cabin service where disabled people can trial being in the cabin before taking an actual flight and also have accredited courses professionals in aviation.
Seth Miller APEX - Can you give us some examples of what the course modules are and who might want to participate?
Mary Doyle - This online course is divided into 3 Modules.
Module 1, we define disability, share the history of disabled people and cover equality in aviation legislation.
In Module 2, after virtual in flight meal, we examine the Social Model of Disability, the barriers that disable people, from language to discrimination, and stereotypes.
In Module 3, we’ll discuss the impact of recent global events on disability equality, examine the main categories of impairment and will then work through them to give people on practice how best to interact at the airport or onboard.After the course we will send you 26 multiple choice questions to test your knowledge. And I can assure you that every student will be ready and smash that test!It is suitable for managers, supervisors, people in service planning/delivery and people who are customer facing, employees who work in aviation and need to be compliant. It is also suitable for those required to update their knowledge around disability equality in an ever changing environment. We assume participants do have operational knowledge.
Maryann Simson APEX - Great, it sounds like it's good for a lot of people. Mary, what would the learning outcomes from taking the course be? And if someone who took the course wanted to further their education could they do that as well?
Mary Doyle - Yes! There is always opportunity to learn more! The learning outcomes from this course are:
To understand disability from disabled people's perspective.
Make you aware of the equality laws and best practices in aviation in the UK, in Europe and beyond.
And to know why equality matters in aviation.
To recognise the barriers that people experience and more importantly the positive behaviours and actions people can take in removing and preventing barriers to ensure all disabled people can live, work and participate in life as equal citizens, which is super important to me.
And we also teach you additional customer service skills to totally give you an all round excellent experience for your customers.
Seth Miller APEX - Congrats again Mary, it sounds really news. What does this mean for you personally?
Mary Doyle - This has been a goal of mine for a long time as an aviation geek and to educate people to look at disability from different perspectives, and show them how they have the power themselves to make a very real difference in building a more inclusive world, fills my heart with joy and hope for the future especially in the current situation where we need it more than ever. Being a disability ally has never been more important. Thank you!
Maryann Simson APEX - Amazing, thank you so much Mary, for those of you watching you can visit https://qef.org.uk/askfirst if you want to learn more about the course and we hope you will do that.
Around the Aviation World
Latest News
Check out the latest accessible aviation and equality news from around the world.
Mary is quoted in The Times about the new menopause guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Many thanks to Mariella Frostrop, I’m proud to have my voice heard as a disabled woman and Menopause Mandate Ambassador.
Read MoreMary Doyle speaks to Careering Into Motherhood about Disability, Accessibility & Women at work
For Galentines Day Jane Johnson hosted Mary to discuss the realities of disability in the workplace. And Mary mostly stayed on track!
Read MoreFor the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Mary Doyle shares her thoughts on joining the East West Rail Panel
Meet the co-chair of EWR’s pioneering Accessibility Advisory Panel, which aims to ensure the needs of disabled people are considered early in the design and construction stages of the…
Read MoreMary Doyle recognised in St Albans District Community Business Awards 2023
In the Business Leadership Award category Mary receives Highly Commended.
Read MoreThe first meeting of East West Rail’s accessibility panel held
The first meeting of East West Rail’s accessibility panel was held, blazing a new trail for Disabled people in the UK.
Read MoreUK regulator considers rating airlines on their support for PRMs
Mary Doyle writes for Runway Girl Network following the launch of a UK public consultation on Airline Accessibility Performance.
Read MoreAirport personal electric vehicle Geo aims to bring back PRM joy
Mary Doyle writes for Runway Girl Network to learn about GEO a new Personal Electric Vehicle.
Read MoreIATA launch new training – Accessible Travel – Ask FIRST
Super proud that this product I co-created has been endorsed by IATA.
Read MoreMary writes for HR Zone
How HR can help remove unconscious bias towards disabled employees.
Read MoreMary writes for EW Group and Challenge Consultancy
Disclosing Disabilities in the Workplace.
Read MoreMary writes for Aircraft Cabin Management Magazine
A new accessible onboard lavatory offers PRMs more space and dignity. Feature on pages 34-35.
Read MoreMary speaks to Nikki Fox on BBC Access All Podcast about the disability pay gap in 2022
Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal disabled employees are paid, on average, 13.8% less than their non-disabled peers.
Read MoreMary writes for Aircraft Cabin Management Magazine
Air 4 All – Innovation puts wheelchairs in the cabin with no loss of seats. Feature on pages 36-37.
Read MoreMary speaks to BBC News about new flexible employment proposals
Having a dedicated employee who is trusted from day one will only build a financially stronger, culturally richer, compassionate and happier company.
Read More#DefineYourself Podcast
Mary appears on the Chris Mitchell Podcast for September 2021, two Disabled people having a good old chat about work, life, geekery and everything in between. How to get what you want…
Read MoreLaunch of ASK FIRST – Disability Equality and Confidence Training in Aviation
ASK FIRST includes an interactive animated e-learning module, providing disability confidence for all staff, and a one-day CPD accredited, Disability Equality Training course to ensure organisations share a deeper…
Read MoreInternational Women’s Day 2021
As part of International Women’s Day 2021, Mary spoke on Radio Verulam in St Albans.
Read MoreUN International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020
One of our new ECC coaches, Mary Doyle, (Also an Accessible Aviation consultant and Disability Equality Trainer) shares an insightful piece on about Disability inclusion and what activities WE can…
Read MoreDesigning for the Pandemic With Inclusivity in Mind: How New Procedures Are Affecting Passengers With Disabilities
APEX Media talks COVID-19 with Mary Doyle, an accessible-aviation consultant and founder of Rocket Girl Coaching.
Read MoreAPEX Weekly Wrap Video: Accessible Aviation Training
Hosts Maryann Simson and Seth Miller chat to accessible aviation consultant Mary Doyle to find out more about how she helped to develop the Queen Elizabeth Foundation’s new Disability…
Read MoreQEF launches Disability Equality Training for the Aviation Sector – With Rocket Girl Coaching
The online and instructor-led course encourages attendees to fully participate and makes good use of exploratory discussions, videos, chat, online polls and recent news events, including COVID-19. The aim…
Read MoreMary Doyle is named one of the UK’s most influential Disabled people
The Shaw Trust Power 100, is an annual publication containing the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.
Read MorePRMs share their concerns as air travel restarts with new protocols
Mary Doyle speaks to Runway Girl Network following the survey results from PRMs and travelling in a COVID-19 world.
Read MoreBA autonomous wheelchair might change perception of PRMs
Mary Doyle speaks to Runway Girl Network following news that British Airways have begun trialling the use of autonomous wheelchairs at New York JFK to aid PRMs who fly on…
Read MoreThe amazing expanding aircraft lavatory that offers disabled passengers 40 per cent more space
An amazing expanding aircraft lavatory that offers those with reduced mobility 40 per cent more space has been revealed. It’s called Access and has been created by London-based Acumen Design…
Read MoreAPEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) – Aircraft Lavatory Concept Is Accessible to Passengers in Wheelchairs
Design Associates and ST Engineering have jointly developed ACCESS, which they describe as “the world’s first expanding aircraft lavatory,” to improve the flying experience on single-aisle aircraft for passengers…
Read MoreForbes: Expandable Airplane Bathroom Unveiled At Singapore Air Show Might Address Paralyzed U.S. Veterans’ Lawsuit
The ACCESS lavatory is featured in Forbes
Read MoreST Engineering and Acumen Design Associates launch ACCESS – the world’s first expanding PRM aircraft lavatory
ST Engineering, in partnership with Acumen Design Associates, today announces the launch of ACCESS – a new aircraft lavatory which, through the use of a moving wall, expands to offer…
Read MoreRunway Girl Network – Extendable lavatory brings comfort and dignity back to passengers
Dignity is coming back to the airline lavatory, which in recent years has been a source of growing complaints from passengers. At best they find newly slimmed-down lavatories on…
Read MoreMary Doyle appears on BBC Rip Off Britain Holiday Special January 2020
This episode focussed on disabled passengers who had a bad airline/travel agent experience and what can be done to ensure people have a better experience next time. When it…
Read MorePrevalis lift seeks to offer dignity and safety for PRMs and personnel
In a one-on-one interview with Prevalis PRM consultant Brian Roquas, wheelchair user and accessible aviation consultant Mary Doyle, learns about the new product, and why the Rotterdam-based company believes…
Read MoreIndustry reviews creative air travel accessibility solutions
Mary Doyle talks to Runway Girl Networks about the challenges faced by disabled passengers and passengers with restricted mobility (PRMs).
Read MoreThe Legal Future of Accessible Aviation For All
Mary Doyle discusses flying as a wheelchair user and what is required, with the Law Society.
Read MoreMaking airports accessible for all
As the demand for air travel continues to grow, Chloe Greenbank (with Rocket Girl Coach) explores how airports are catering for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility. Look at…
Read MoreRock your difference
Confidence is believing in yourself and knowing that you have the skills and ability to do what you set out to do. It’s being yourself and being completely comfortable…
Read MoreMary campaigns for Flying Disabled on live BBC TV and radio
Government announces new aviation passenger charter to improve flying experience for disabled people
Read MoreMary is named in Daily Mail Britain’s 50 most remarkable women
The most fabulous FEMAILS: To mark 50 years of Femail, a celebration of how Britain’s 50 most remarkable women made it big.
Read MoreMary holds a Guinness World Record for towing a Dreamliner
World record set as 100 people in wheelchairs pull British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner at Heathrow.
Read MoreSt Albans woman named in the Top 100 influential disabled people
Mary Doyle, from St Albans, Herts who is a Personal/Executive Coach, STEM/Accessible Aviation Advocate and CEO Rocket Girl Coaching was announced as one of the top 100 most influential…
Read MoreHeading Beyond Accessibility
British Airways Staff Magazine, Up To Speed, September 2018. The Heading Beyond Accessibility issue speaks to Rocket Girl Coach about the customer’s perspective of travelling by air as a…
Read MoreWheelchairs-in-the-cabin advocates optimistic about campaign progress
Recently invited to meet with EASA officials in Cologne to discuss the regulatory and certification considerations for allowing disabled passengers to remain in their wheelchairs in-flight, Flying Disabled founder…
Read MoreMyPlus is know yourself, own yourself, be yourself and help others do the same
Being a wheelchair user has given me the drive for disability to be normalised in business.
Read MoreWhy coaching is massively beneficial for disabled people
To some, the idea of coaching might seem daunting, unnecessary or even a little ‘hippy’. But it can be an incredibly useful tool to help you build your confidence…
Read MoreAPEX Experience Travelogue – Human First
From humanoid customer service bots to crewmember skills and tools of the trade, we bring you the December/January issue of APEX Experience magazine. In it you’ll find the ultimate…
Read MoreThe power of inclusion in travel, tech and life
Pressure is mounting for industry to do more to accommodate disabled passengers, including exploring the possibility of enabling them to stay in their own wheelchairs when they fly. Among…
Read MoreOp-Ed: Disabled passengers deserve better accommodation
Rocket Girl, aka coach Mary Doyle is spreading the word about a new UK campaign aimed at bringing equality to wheelchair users in aircraft cabins….
Read More