Disability Employment Awareness Month- Let's chat!

Hello,

October is not only my birthday month, it is also a special month dedicated to advocating for disability employment awareness and the need to provide inclusive workspaces and sensitize employees on being patient and accommodating without prejudice and ableism practices. In short, this month is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment that values the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities. I don't think this is a coincidence, I believe I have been called to be a disability inclusion advocate.

15% of the global population has some form of disability, which makes about 220 million Africans with disabilities (World Bank). While there has been some progress, we are still far from fulfilling what we are all called to achieve by Goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which all focus on ensuring equal opportunity and reduced inequalities for all.

It is vital to reflect on ways we can enhance our employment strategies to create a more welcoming space for everyone. It is important to not think about disability inclusion from a charity perspective but rather from the proven facts of how effective and invaluable people with disabilities are. Below are some tips on being more inclusive and accommodating towards persons with disabilities while also highlighting the invaluable work of inABLE in advocating for disability inclusion.

1. Promote diverse hiring practices: Encourage diversity and inclusivity in hiring by actively seeking candidates with disabilities. Collaborate with local disability organizations or job placement agencies that specialize in assisting individuals with disabilities to find meaningful employment opportunities.

2. Provide reasonable accommodations: Recognize that individuals with disabilities may require reasonable accommodations to perform their job effectively. Engage in open dialogue to understand their needs and align these accommodations with your organization's resources. By doing so, you create an inclusive environment that fosters equal opportunities for everyone.

3. Educate and raise awareness: Education is key to fostering a more inclusive workplace. Offer regular training sessions that aim to raise awareness about disabilities, debunk stereotypes, and provide strategies for effective communication and collaboration. Encourage employees to ask questions and learn from one another's experiences.

4. Assess physical accessibility: Regularly assess your organization's physical space to ensure it meets the needs of employees with disabilities. Consider wheelchair ramps, accessible restrooms, well-marked pathways, and adjustable workstations. Accessibility benefits all employees, not just those with disabilities.

Now, let's take a moment to recognize the efforts of inABLE, a leading organization in advocating for disability inclusion. inABLE focuses on empowering African youth with disabilities by providing them with access to assistive technology and computer skills training. By equipping visually impaired individuals with the necessary tools and education, inABLE enables them to pursue their dreams and secure employment in various sectors.

Supporting organizations like inABLE allows us all to contribute to disability inclusion efforts. By championing workplace accessibility and promoting a diverse workforce, we can create an environment where each employee feels respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

As we observe Disability Employment Awareness Month, let's commit to ensuring that our workplace is inclusive and accommodating for all individuals. By implementing the recommendations outlined above and supporting organizations like inABLE, we can actively contribute to building a society where abilities triumph over disabilities.

Thank you for your continued commitment to promoting inclusivity within our organization. If you don't know where to start, please reach out. There is a space for everyone to do something towards a more inclusive Africa.

Esther Njeri Mwangi

Disability Inclusion Advocate