Disability Friendly

IWhat the World Is Missing When It Overlooks People with Disabilities

In Part I of Disability Friendly, I explore the concept of Disability Inclusion and the consequences society faces for not more fully including those of us with disabilities. Besides the unspeakable human toll it takes on a person's self‐esteem, self‐respect, and ability to contribute to “our more perfect Union,” people without disabilities miss enjoying and benefiting from our talents in the workplace, our love and guidance within our families, and our engagement in our communities to the fullest extent possible. What a loss, and it need not be that way!

This part of the book moves through how Disability Inclusion benefits everyone, especially in the workplace. The purpose of these inclusive principles is to serve as a guide as to how everyone, including people with disabilities, must be afforded equal opportunities.

From there, I will lean mightily into the power of disability entrepreneurship and its importance in our world today and the opportunities it affords people with disabilities. As business owners, people with disabilities can enjoy greater control and choices in their lives, earn a good living, and encourage other people with disabilities to pursue entrepreneurship as well. Employers who buy from disability‐diverse suppliers add immensely to the economic viability of entrepreneurship of people with disabilities.

For there to be a change in the workplace of today, there must be a much better understanding ...