The International Labour Organization notes that disability inclusion at work can drive increased innovation, since “employees with diverse experiences have different approaches to problem solving”. To tackle this challenge, businesses need to consider not only the potential talent they could be hiring if they had more inclusive policies, but also current employees with disabilities that may not be immediately apparent. If we’re to build a more agile and robust workforce for the new economy, we need to remember that it will be made up of humans with diverse needs. As a prospective employer, it’s important to shift your mindset to thinking about what people with disabilities can do, rather than what they can’t. Examples of these activities include: 1. It’s highly likely that you know someone with a disability, whether visible or invisible, cognitive or physical. In my own work I have come to appreciate that inclusion is significantly more important than diversity. In return, being involved in sports is also a matter of social inclusion. For example, providing ramps and accessible toilets in meeting facilities or providing additional intervention and resources in the education system are known as 'universal design' or efforts towards the goal of inclusion… Why is inclusive education important? Disability inclusion allows for people with disabilities to take advantage of the benefits of the same health promotion and prevention activities experienced by people who do not have a disability. Why workplace disability inclusion matters now more than ever, By Review our privacy policy. Inclusivity unlocks innovation and attracts talent. After all, we’re people. Many conferences have likely missed out on a great deal of valuable insight from disabled speakers who were unable or unwilling to participate based … Disability inclusion — the acknowledgment of our shared humanity — has never been more important. Potential employers are missing out on a wide array of talent, creativity and innovative ways of thinking. provide the support employees need to do their best work. A team that works around somebody with a disability is a better team and does better work. Share The pandemic has brought us face to face with the differing fragility of our bodies and our mental health. Disability inclusion is also crucial to your hiring process. They should ask themselves, “How can we make our company and our culture accommodating and accessible for everyone?”. If you or someone you know has a disability, this probably comes as no surprise; many people with disabilities … For people with disability to participate and contribute their voice and experiences, it is important that Australian society creates opportunities and removes barriers, so that they can deem what is right for themselves and have control over the things that will impact upon their own lives. Understood does not and will not take money from pharmaceutical Previously, Nora was an Equal Employment and Opportunity specialist with the Department of the Navy. The story of disability inclusion is incomplete. In fact, social inclusion is an important “determinant of health” – without inclusion, people are more likely to experience poor health (including poor mental health), loneliness, isolation, and poor self esteem. As the professional regulator, we firmly believe disabled people should be welcomed to the profession and valued for their contribution to patient care. For teachers, disability inclusion activities can help increase awareness of their pupils’ abilities. Understood is a nonprofit initiative. A study of disability and equity at work finds that ‘work provides the material means through which to acquire adequate food, clothing, and shelter; access education, health care, and support services; and participate in the cultural… After all, they were already poised to solve problems creatively, to meet employees where they are, and to recognize and value the humanity of their people. That’s why I work with organizations of all shapes and sizes to raise awareness of the in-built accessibility tools they already have available to them, so that they can communicate proactively with all employees, and feel confident in recruiting a greater share of talent with disabilities. Persons with disabilities make up one billion people -about 15 per cent of the world’s population – making them the world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority. Why inclusion is important for children with a disability. As we mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day slightly differently this year, we call on employers everywhere to take this opportunity to build more diverse teams, learn about accessibility tools and products that support all employees, and make accessibility a priority from 9 to 5 – and beyond. An artificial ceiling of expectations can be created unless disabled and non-disabled children can interact and establish their own relationships. Next. companies. Disability intersects with all other diversity groups. The importance of inclusion in medicine Previous. Disability awareness should also be included in all diversity training. Many people with disabilities can feel uncomfortable asking for reasonable accommodations that they are entitled to, and few employers know which tools are already available that they could benefit from. Nora Elena Genster, Why workplace disability inclusion matters now more than ever. And we’ve been reminded of the importance of our connections with each other as people. It may come as a surprise, but not every business is free of discrimination and often, the employment of disabled candidates can be seriously overlooked. Thanks to social advances in recent years, we’re moving closer and closer to true disability inclusion. When the current crisis subsides, companies will have seen how important it is to But what about the presenter's stage? Scheduling a conference at an ADA-certified building doesn't necessarily mean the conference is accessible to all those with disabilities. The program will cover key topics like: Making the business case for disability inclusion, Building a pipeline for talent with disabilities. Nora Genster is a program manager for workplace disability inclusion at Understood. But let’s not forget that people with disabilities face such challenges year-round. Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is more than policies, programs, or headcounts. But it’s also shown what’s possible. After all, we’re people. And there’s a benefit when it comes to talent recruitment and retention also: a 2017 survey by PWC suggested that more than half of all jobseekers research a company’s diversity and inclusion policies when considering whether to accept a job offer. Why is inclusion in sport so important? Companies that had strong disability inclusion programs in place before the COVID-19 pandemic hit have likely been able to Because of that history, the sudden embrace of workplace accommodations has been bittersweet for some disability advocates. If candidates face barriers during the application and interview process, or if they sense that your business is not inclusive, they’re likely to look elsewhere. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a profound shift in workplaces across the United States and the world. Why School Inclusion Is Important For Kids With Disabilities My Kid With a Disability Deserves to Be in the Same Classroom as Your Kid, Because His Future Depends on … When done well, it promotes a culture that celebrates difference. It’s perhaps not surprising then to learn that more than a quarter of people with disabilities living in the EU are at risk of poverty. The panelists are some of the most cutting edge thinkers, insightful influencers and innovative implementers; all working to operationalize disability inclusion globally. This website provides information of a general nature and is And employees will see workplace accommodations as a new normal. We’re not the workforce we once were, and we’re probably never going back. Schools provide the context for a child’s first relationship with the world outside their families, enabling the development of social relationships and interactions. Why promoting disability inclusion and awareness in the workplace is crucial to your company's success. Most reasonable accommodations are in fact free. For decades, people with disabilities have continued to push employers to follow both the letter and the spirit of the law. Rather than being one distinct diversity category, it also feeds into gender, age, race, faith and sexual orientation. Inclusive systems provide a better quality education for all children and are instrumental in changing discriminatory attitudes. Our approach is based on designing with and for people with disabilities – and it’s this approach, for instance, that’s helped us on the journey to making Microsoft Teams more inclusive for people who are blind. 20 May, 2020 Social inclusion is about being part of a community and its strong ties and communication. Many people with disabilities unnecessarily experience life quite differently. The International Labour Organization notes that disability inclusion at work can drive increased innovation, since “employees with diverse experiences have different approaches to problem solving”. The existing narrative about disability and business has been focused on the need for hiring, retention and career development. Accessibility to events should consider both presenters and attendees. Topics of social exclusion and inclusion have come up a lot on this blog. By Bonnie Scherry – Guest Contributor . Disability awareness training makes employees more confident about communicating with disabled people – and your working environment more welcoming as a result. A team that works around somebody with a disability is a better team and does better work. Business leaders across industries should recognize and call out the role that widespread accommodations have played in any current successes. Developmental Disabilities and the Community: Why Inclusion Is Important Sometimes, happiness is sharing a drink with friends. A business should aim to showcase equality and diversity in the workplace, in the sense that any applicant or employee is given fair treatment to carry out their job without issue. Hector Minto Feb … You can opt out of emails at any time by sending a request to info@understood.org. Maybe you’re in that group yourself. Bear in mind that persons with disabilities are a heterogeneous group, including with regard to gender identity, ethnic diversity and sexual orientation. SHRM Foundation are proud to announce the launch of When multinational IT company ATOS rolled out Windows 10 and Office 365 for their 110,000 employees worldwide, the company found they were able to meet employees’ expectations on accessibility thanks to tools such as color blind filters, immersive reader and captioning in PowerPoint. “Understood” as used above includes Understood For All Inc., and their officers, affiliates, parents, and related entities, and their respective employees, contractors, or other personnel. Never forget how important a good education is when it comes to understanding that each and every one of us has the same rights. That’s why the journey to increasing disability inclusion at work starts with increasing confidence, for employer and employee alike. And that’s true for technology too. Sign up for emails with helpful resources about disability inclusion at work. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left many us feeling isolated and excluded, unable to work, live and play the way we want to. Copyright © 2014–2020 Understood For All Inc. All rights reserved. Senior Accessibility Evangelist, Microsoft. working from home or working with a mask they didn’t need a few weeks ago, many employees are using new supports to get their jobs done. That’s why Microsoft works to ensure that accessibility is woven into the fabric of what we design and build, ensuring that our products and services provide inclusive experiences for all. We do not market to or offer services to individuals in the European Union. adapt more quickly to the changing realities. Instead, much of the American workforce has had to get creative and find new ways of working. Certainly some of your colleagues or employees are. Over 18 months of rehearsals, and … Posted Jan 17, 2011 When you have diverse teams that include people with disabilities, you find out where and why your product or service does not work for them – and you begin to innovate. Why is disability research important? Firstly, sports have a very social aspect to them. Education can provide individuals with the skills, experience and empowerment to vocalise their opinions, and therefore ‘inclusion in education can be a first step towards increasing political participation and social justice for people with disabilities’ (Morgon Banks & Polack, 2014, p. 34). In the language of workplace disability inclusion, “accommodations” are supports that enable employees to thrive at work. Be measured, benchmarked and improved a request to info @ understood.org should stop focusing on diversity, … importance. Your working environment more welcoming as a vital component of recovery for people who are blind qualified... 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