Disability Friendly

Introduction

Disability Friendly is bold, hip, clever, funny, edgy, and conversational; it differs somewhat from scholarly writings in that it's based in practicality, pragmatism, and proven practices. It requires a new way of thinking about the capabilities of people with disabilities to contribute at all levels of an enterprise, whether in a for‐profit organization, an NGO, or the public sector. It requires fundamental changes in the way nondisabled people regard people with all types of disabilities, and how we all work to increase substantially the currently dismal rate of labor force participation by people with disabilities.

There are many in the business community who have not yet fully incorporated disability into their diversity and inclusion strategies and practices and those who want to be better at it. These professionals span the C‐suite executives; diversity and inclusion officers; diversity, equity and inclusion officers; senior HR executives; and chief technology and/or information officers. This book will provide the background and context for what has occurred over the last 50 years in moving (inching, really) Disability Inclusion forward, and offer a blueprint for now and the future for all professionals as well as all the dedicated employees and entrepreneurs who want people with disabilities to be included in all aspects of corporate and societal life, where we rightfully belong!

With but a 1–2% increase in the labor force participation rate of people with ...