Embrace Diversity! Strategies for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Workplace Janice Aspey, CPRP PR Training Solutions janice@prtrainingsolutions.com

This workshop is designed to help you: Incorporate “leading practices” for inclusion of people with disabilities into existing diversity training programs Educate employees about disability etiquette and inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace Create and promote an inclusive workplace culture for people with disabilities by demonstrating inclusion strategies in ALL workplace activities Learning Objectives

LEADING PRACTICES Include “disability” and “people with disabilities” in: agency’s diversity program and activities diversity policies and procedures equal opportunity policy statement diversity initiatives Facilitate the hiring of people with disabilities by evaluating: hiring policies/process- including accommodation policy qualifications and job descriptions (essential functions) job announcements- language and accessible Diversity Program Employee Handbook

LEADING PRACTICES Establish a Employee Resource Group: including employees with disabilities executives, managers, co-workers Commit and take action to recruit, employ, retain and advance people with disabilities. Participate in continuous improvement activities. Diversity Program Employee Handbook

Educate Employees Disability Etiquette Inclusion

Politically Correct People First Language Emphasize the person before the disability A person who…. A person with…. She has…. Language is more than just being Politically Correct

Instead of…. Say… Disabled Person with a disability Autistic Has autism Epileptic Has epilepsy Schizophrenic Person with schizophrenia Mentally Ill Person with… Diabetic Has diabetes Normal Person without disabilities Quadriplegic Person with a physical disability Mentally retarded Person with a cognitive disorder/intellectual disability

Avoid language that labels people in “groups” The disabled The mentally ill Special Needs Children Avoid language that implies tragedy “suffers from”, “afflicted with”, “victim of” BEST ADVICE Avoid any reference to the disability unless it is relevant to the conversation Language

Additional tips… Disability affects speech People who use wheelchairs Speak to the person, not a companion Be patient-do not finish sentences Ask person to repeat Do not pretend to understand Disability affects speech Conversations at eye level Do not touch or lean on chair Do not assume people need or want assistance People who use wheelchairs

Additional tips Service Animals People who are blind Do not correct or give commands Do not feed the animal, not even treats Address the person as you would anyone- do not ask about the animal Service Animals Greeting- Identify self and others Departing-Inform before leaving the room Don’t worry/embarrassed about saying common phrases “see you later” or “you look great” People who are blind

Additional tips People who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing General Find out how the person prefers to communicate Do not assume hearing aids correct hearing Do not yell or exaggerate words People who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Do not assume intellect Ask the person how to assist Use the person’s name General .

Inclusive Workplace Physical Technological Attitudinal Inferiority Accessible parking spaces Entrances/Exits Shared work spaces Stairwells Restrooms Cafeterias Technological Electronic communication Telecommunication products Online job applications Website Software/Operating systems Attitudinal Inferiority Pity Hero Worship Ignorance Spread Effect Stereotypes Backlash Denial Fear

Inclusion in ALL workplace Activities Hiring Process Providing necessary accommodations All workplace activities accessible (social events, etc) Monthly socials and educational activities Employee Resource Groups Work Culture of Inclusion- begins with leadership Inclusion in ALL workplace Activities

Sources Business Strategies that Work: A Framework for Disability Inclusion, Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labor https://www.dol.gov/odep/pdf/BusinessStrategiesThatWork.pdf Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion, U.S. Business Leadership Network/U.S. Chamber of Commerce https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/020709 _DisabilityInclusion_final.pdf Work Without Limits, The University of Massachusetts Medical School, An Accessible Workplace http://www.workwithoutlimits.org/employers/ra/workplace