Disability: Part of the Equity Equation
“Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,”
Several years ago I was asked to speak at an event. When I got there I noticed there was no ramp to the stage. When I pointed this out to the host, their response was “We are not expecting anyone in a wheelchair.” The point of a ramp to the stage is about equity. One should not have to announce when they are planning to attend an event. This is one of the privileges I have as a person without a visible physical disability. I don’t have to call in advance to make sure I can access the room.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) it celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcases supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices. The theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Putting in a ramp at every event regardless of whether you think someone will need it, is how we make disability part of the equity equation. They had widened the door to meet ADA requirements but a ramp to the stage is inclusion and equity.
This month is a reminder of the work we need to do, so the default is equity and inclusion. My story about a ramp, speaks to the work we must do to be fully inclusive. Adding a ramp creates inclusion for everyone. When a ramp is not present, it limits participation.
My simple ask for each of us is to make accessibility the default. When you attend events, go to work, or dinners practice “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.”
Jason R. Thompson
Co-Founder of CAPE Inclusion
Jason R. Thompson is a 25+ year DE&I expert, coach, and author of Diversity and Inclusion Matters: Tactics and Tools to Inspire Equity and Game-Changing Performance. Jason built much of his career on developing award-winning DE&I programs from scratch. He has worked with companies of all sizes including large healthcare organizations with over 10,000 individuals as well as organizations like the US Olympic Committee and Techstars. Jason’s innovation and experience are the foundation of CAPE Inclusion.
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As May unfolds, we enter a time of reflection and celebration as we honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month. This year, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center proudly present the joint 2024 theme: “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.”