For nearly a decade, MasterWord has been honored to support the ReelAbilities Film Festival, the largest festival dedicated to celebrating and transforming perceptions about individuals with disabilities through the arts. As part of the festival this year, MasterWord and ReelAbilities Houston cohosted the “ReelChange Panel Discussion: Shaping Accessible Workplaces,” moderated by Ludmila Golovine, MasterWord CEO and Founder. The panel discussion brought together accessibility experts to provide practical advice for fostering inclusive environments for employees with disabilities.
Here are key insights and takeaways from the discussion, aimed at helping business leaders, supervisors, and business owners embrace accessibility and inclusion, and benefit from a massive talent pool that is often underutilized.
Normalizing Disability in the Workplace
Angel Ponce, Director of the Houston Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, emphasized: “People with disabilities don’t want to be seen as victims and they don’t want to be seen as heroes.” This statement underscores the need to normalize disability, recognizing individuals’ capabilities rather than seeing them through the lens of their disability.
Understanding and Accommodating Diverse Needs
Jamie Paul Weiner, Manager of Disability Services and the Alexander Institute for Inclusion at Jewish Family Service (JFS) Houston, remarked on the importance of accommodating diverse needs: “Understanding and accommodating diverse needs are crucial to a genuinely inclusive workplace.” She advises employers to engage in conversations with employees to understand their specific needs, thus moving beyond compliance to true inclusivity.
The Spectrum of Disability
Participants discussed the broad spectrum of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, blind, and mental health disabilities, highlighting the importance of recognizing and accommodating this diversity in the workplace.
Fostering an Adaptable and Supportive Environment
Jeffrey Feinstein, co-creator of Walk and Roll for SCI, shared his experience adapting to a severe spinal cord injury (SPI), highlighting the necessity of workplaces being adaptable and supportive to allow individuals with disabilities to thrive. His narrative reinforces the importance of creating an environment where obstacles are removed, and every employee can grow and contribute.
Overcoming Stigma through Open Conversation
M. Cody Francisco, Director of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services and Business Development at MasterWord (and Certified Deaf Interpreter), spoke on the importance of open conversation: “Actively raising awareness through open conversation with coworkers helps to get past the negative perceptions of disability.” This approach is crucial for changing workplace culture and fostering understanding and acceptance.
Key Takeaways for Businesses
The panelists offered a wealth of actionable advice for businesses aiming to promote accessibility and inclusion:
- Prioritize Accessibility: Recognize accessibility as a critical aspect of your business operations, ensuring that everyone can access and use your facilities and services.
- Educate and Train: Provide education and training for your staff to raise awareness about disabilities and teach them how to create an inclusive environment.
- Engage in Open Conversations: Encourage dialogues around disabilities to normalize them in the workplace and to understand the specific needs of employees.
- Adapt and Support: Create an adaptable workplace that supports the growth and development of all employees, including those with disabilities.
- Foster a Culture of Inclusion: Ensure that inclusivity is woven into the fabric of your company culture, making it a natural part of how your organization operates.
Practical Steps for Implementing Change
- Assess Workplace Accessibility: Conduct regular reviews of your physical and digital environments to ensure they are accessible to everyone.
- Implement Universal Design Principles: Design your workplace and practices to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible.
- Respect Privacy and Autonomy: Engage with employees with disabilities to understand their needs without making assumptions or infringing on their privacy.
Leveraging Insights for Business Success
Businesses that embrace these insights and actively work towards creating more accessible and inclusive workplaces can reap significant benefits, including enhanced employee satisfaction, increased productivity, and a broader talent pool. The panelists’ experiences and recommendations serve as a valuable guide for organizations on their journey toward accessibility and inclusivity.
To learn more about ReelAbilities Houston, click here: https://www.reelabilitieshouston.org/