Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are four insights on how to make workspaces more inclusive that go beyond the legal terms to create a dialogue around disability.

• How can philanthropy contribute toward prioritizing inclusiveness and expanding support for individuals with disabilities? How can open dialogues help? 

• Read about how to bridge the gap between people with disabilities and workforce opportunities. 

When the pandemic hit the globe in early 2020, many organizations and educational institutions were forced to shift to remote work and learning within a matter of weeks. Some managed to do this quite smoothly, while others are still figuring it out months later. This shift to flexible working is something disabled people know well. (I use the term “disabled people” intentionally to highlight the social model of disability. ”People with disabilities” is also widely used.) We frequently have to adjust and modify our work environments quickly, especially when workspaces are often not designed for us.

In July 2019, the Open Society Human Resources Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team brought me on board to fulfill their strategic theme of disability inclusion. What began with the launch of a Global Workplace Accommodations Policy (to ensure we are meeting national and international standards) has expanded to a more holistic approach of disability inclusion. The Human Resources DEI team has worked collaboratively with the Open Society Disability Inclusion Working Group, the Operations Management Group, and several programs across the network, such as the Human Rights Initiative, the Public Health Program, and the Open Society Justice Initiative, to refine our organizational approach to disability, and better support all staff as they seek to contribute their best work.

Here are four ways of working together that I think are necessary to create dialogue around disability beyond legal definitions, allowing us to work towards more inclusive workspaces.

  1. Accept that mistakes happen and use them to create space for open and honest dialogue.
  2. Invite stories.
  3. Normalize.
  4. It is about everyone.

Read the full article about creating inclusive workspaces by Sarah Napoli, at Presidents' Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy.