Over the weekend, I found myself in a conversation that hit on a growing cultural friction. Someone asked a question that has been echoing across social media lately: “Who gets to decide what’s racist?” (or ableist, or sexist). It’s a question often designed to find a loophole. It suggests that if we can’t agree on … Read more
And what it really takes to make inclusion work Ableism rarely shows up as something overt. It appears in systems that assume a “default” worker. In policies written for speed rather than equity. In decisions made without the people most affected in the room. Over time, these assumptions harden into culture. And that’s how exclusion … Read more
Leadership styles shape how decisions are made, how people are supported, and how work gets done. But even the most celebrated leadership approaches can contain blind spots when it comes to disability inclusion. Ableism doesn’t just live in individual attitudes—it can be embedded in the very style a leader adopts. And if those patterns go … Read more
Inclusion isn’t just a set of values on a poster. It shows up in the everyday decisions, behaviours, and reactions that shape workplace culture, especially when something goes wrong. When ableism surfaces in a workplace—whether through a harmful comment, a discriminatory decision, or a pattern of exclusion—how you respond matters more than what you say … Read more
Welcome to the latest edition of ‘Making Inclusion Work’. Taking part in a series of ESG webinars recently with GovernWith , I was reminded of the power of personal journeys. Therefore, I’m sharing some of my encounters with ableism as an employee in this edition. Some of these examples may sound familiar, highlighting how commonly … Read more
Inclusive cultures are paramount for organisational success in today’s ever-evolving workplace landscape. However, when it comes to addressing ableism — discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities — there is often a deafening silence. Let’s explore what happens to workplace culture when ableism is not openly discussed, contrasted with the transformative power of open dialogue and practical strategies to … Read more
Ableism, like sexism, racism, ageism and other forms of discrimination, is engrained in our culture. It permeates how we think, design and do things. It manifests itself in various forms in the workplace, influencing the implementation (or lack thereof) of policies and procedures and how they are followed, often going unnoticed or unaddressed. According to … Read more
This week is #SocialInclusionWeek2020 – a week raising awareness of an issue that is of great importance to me. As such, my weekly round-up of 10 things to know about disability is dedicated to social inclusion. People with disabilities face social exclusion on a daily basis, and it is usually the result of minor things … Read more
As we are coming to the end of Trans Awareness Week 2020 and coming closer to Transgender Remembrance Day on 20th of November 2020 where we remember those in the trans community that have died due to a world full of misunderstanding and hate, I wanted to discuss an important documentary on Netflix that is … Read more
Language matters. How we speak matters. It shapes our worlds. I was recently listening to an interview around diversity and inclusion, and someone used a phrase which we have all heard at one time or another. It was a common phrase and one that I’ve even used. At that moment, however, it dawned on me … Read more
It’s time for another weekly round of ’10 things to know about’ and this week it’s about the word ‘disability’. Let’s just jump straight to my list. 1. Disability is not a dirty word. 2. Disability is not a dirty word. 3. Disability is not a dirty word. 4. Disability is not a dirty word … Read more
