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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Educate Employees
Disability Etiquette
Inclusion

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 .

12. 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

13. 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

14. Sources
Business Strategies that Work: A Framework for Disability Inclusion, Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labor
Leading Practices on Disability Inclusion, U.S. Business Leadership Network/U.S. Chamber of Commerce _DisabilityInclusion_final.pdf
Work Without Limits, The University of Massachusetts Medical School, An Accessible Workplace