Create a true culture of inclusion

Although progress has been made around equality for many marginalized groups, people with disabilities are still massively underrepresented in organizations Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. People with disabilities make up at least 15% of the population, yet they are still too often overlooked. Many people with disabilities are highly motivated, create fantastic work, and add tremendous value to organizations.

Disability Friendly is a clarion call to businesses around the world to realize the opportunities presented by employing people with disabilities. It explains the potential of disabled employees, how to create a culture of inclusion, and, in the process, help people with disabilities become proud contributors.

In this book, youll find:Concrete strategies for redesigning work and its processes to embrace all contributing citizensWays to incorporate disability supports into a business diversity and inclusion practices and initiativesMethods for reducing the massive cost associated with government disability support payments and repurpose these as investments in the human potential of people with disabilities

Ideal for executives, managers, and other business leaders,Disability Friendly will also earn a place in the libraries of Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources professionals seeking to make an impact on their company and on behalf of a marginalized group.

JOHN D. KEMP is widely respected as a leader in the disability movement for more than forty years. John currently serves as president and CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, an organization providing opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to lead healthy, active, independent lives. As a co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities and as an international speaker and disability rights leader, John serves as a catalyst for change and increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction xxi

I What the World Is Missing When It Overlooks People with Disabilities 1

1 Disability Inclusion Benefits Everyone 3

2 The Power of Disability Entrepreneurship 15

3 Disability Is Essential to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Movement 43

4 Inclusive Design: Enabling Work by All 57

II What People with Disabilities Want Everyone else to Know 63

5 Getting to Equal by Erasing Fear 65

6 Overcome Ableism by Recognizing Our Common Humanity 75

7 You Dont Look Disabled 85

8 Personal Experiences That Shaped My Concepts of Disability Culture 93

III How to Become Disability Friendly: the Pillars of Disability Inclusion 105

9 Corporate Culture and Disability Culture 107

10 Talent Acquisition Through Outreach and Recruitment 133

11 Hiring and Retaining the Best Talent 145

12 Employers Slow Progress to Disability- Friendly Inclusion 157

13 Communicating the Organizations Policies and Practices 169

14 Accessible Information and Communications Technology for All 175

15 Blueprint for Disability- Friendly Workplaces of the Future: How to Create Inclusive, Safe, and Captivating Workplaces 185

Appendix: The Viscardi Centers Curriculum for Its National Center on Disability Entrepreneurship 203

References 207

About the Author 215

Index 217