Impactful Inclusion Toolkit

ACTIVITY 11Focus on Ability

“Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled.”

—Khang Kijarro Nguyen

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Company leaders are making progress in creating welcoming and positive work environments. As organizations struggle to find talent in many fields, individuals with disabilities are increasingly being recognized as a source of engaged, motivated employees. This focus is long overdue. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 19.1 percent of people with a disability were employed in 2021, up from 17.9 percent in 2020. As we empower people with disabilities to fully participate in a world not designed for them, everyone benefits from their contributions. Like the rest of us, they are unique with a wealth of knowledge, skills, and talents, which adds another dimension of diversity, resourcefulness, and creative energy to the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines an individual with a disability as one who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The fact that limitations exist, does not make them any less capable, or prevent them from delivering great work with the use of accessible tools and accommodations. Many have invested most of their lives in creating workarounds so they can comfortably exist and prosper. That vantage point brings fresh perspective and new opportunities. The Society of Human Research Management (SHRM) posted “according to the 2019 Disability Statistics Annual ...