Disability Pride Month 2023 is a time to accept and honour each person’s uniqueness and promote visibility and mainstream awareness. On July 26th, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. Each July Is celebrated as Disability Pride Month 2023 in commemoration of the historic moment.
Some people may see the month as a time to celebrate their individual success and accomplishments, whereas others may celebrate the feeling of pride about being disabled. No matter what the month means to individuals, the main focus is to be proud of being disabled and for people to be unapologetically themselves without having to fear making others uncomfortable or hiding for the comfort of others.
Making the Workplace Inclusive for Disabled Employees
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) are critical priorities that are racing up the corporate agenda. But are you getting them right to benefit your organisation?
One billion people in the world live with some form of disability but their value is often unfortunately routinely ignored by businesses. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs. When changing your work environment to accommodate all employees, it’s crucial to remember that not all conditions are physical or visible.
Consider practical options for employees with impairments in addition to modifying your workplace. Reasonable adjustments may include flexible working, A flexible workplace should support people with temporary or permanent disabilities, including anyone who might develop a disability. Disabled workers are more likely to want to work at home, a TUC report found Just over 90% of those who could work from home during the pandemic wanted to continue some form of home-based working in the future. There are definite benefits of home working for disabled workers. The TUC report found, 63% said it gave them greater control over their working lives, 47% had been able to change their work routine, and 40% said home working reduced fatigue and tiredness.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces
Lights, textures, sounds, and colours impact wellbeing. Sensory-friendly spaces aid those with sensory processing disorder in managing stimuli. Such spaces can be rooms or designated corners. Addressing workspace concerns could lower the 80% unemployment rate among autistic individuals.
Inclusive workplaces go beyond hiring disabled individuals. Leaders must understand disability, accessibility, and the business case for inclusion. Educate yourself on disability statistics and barriers they face. Disability Pride Month 2023 challenges stereotypes and raises awareness of disabilities, aiming for meaningful change.
What Can Leaders Do?
There are 14.6 million disabled people in the UK. That’s 1 in 5 people. Research highlights negative attitudes as significant barriers for disabled individuals. Managers should engage in conversations with each employee to understand their ideal work experience and support needs. Use ‘people first’ language when describing individuals with disabilities to avoid defining them by their disability. If uncertain, ask the person directly for preferred language. Address the person with the disability directly, respecting their privacy and avoiding unnecessary questions about their disability. Effective communication fosters employee retention and reduces isolation among disabled team members.
A supportive workplace culture empowers disabled and chronically ill workers. Start conversations and raise awareness within your organisation about disability issues and inclusion. Simple actions like sharing podcasts or discussing awareness months can enhance understanding and support for the disabled community at work. More awareness leads to better support and inclusivity for disabled colleagues.
How Can Wellity Support You This Disability Pride Month 2023?
We all come to work with the expectation that we are going to be treated appropriately – be shown respect, have our ideas and opinions listened to, be provided with the information we need to do our jobs and feel safe.
A Wellity training session ‘Inclusive Leadership’ will empower attendees with the awareness and knowledge to cooperate and communicate with respect, embrace differences, address concerns in a constructive way and help contribute towards a collective vision built on a collaborative, respectful, and harmonious work culture.
Objectives:
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- Envisaging what a positive and inclusive working environment looks like
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- Understand the benefits of fostering a positive and inclusive working environment and working relationships
For any information on this topic or others we offer, contact our team at hello@wellityglobal.com.
