The Darkness famously sang that “Love is only a feeling.” They were right. And I think it’s time we were just as honest about Belonging. Almost every workplace engagement survey has a question that goes something like: “Do you feel like you belong here?” It’s a warm question. It looks great on a slide deck. … Read more
Every few months, another survey lands in your inbox. “Tell us what you think.” “Help shape our next strategy.” “Share your experience.” You open it, sigh, and think: Didn’t I already do one of these? Welcome to survey fatigue — that moment when feedback stops feeling like a genuine opportunity and starts feeling like unpaid … Read more
But too often, they don’t deliver what they promise. I’ve seen plans that look polished, filled with good intentions, but don’t shift barriers. This edition of Making Inclusion Work is for anyone writing, reviewing, or refreshing a DAIP and wanting it to do more than sit in a folder. 🌱 Where Access and Inclusion Plans … Read more
Overcoming implicit bias requires rewiring the neural pathways in our brains, learning to recognise and challenge our unconscious prejudices By Justli Last month, as part of the DEI Bookclub discussion about the book ‘Blindspot’, with James Hare, I took the Harvard Implicit Association Test (IAT) on disability bias. My result? “You have a slight automatic … Read more
I seem to be an outlier regarding compulsory training, especially disability inclusion training. While many people groan at the thought of another mandatory session, I see the potential. Done well, training can be a powerful tool for change. Done poorly, it’s just another tick-box exercise no one remembers a week later. The reality is that … 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
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
It’s time for another round of my “10 things to know”… I was all set to write about another topic, but upon researching for that article, I came across a piece of content that highlighted a topic I had to address: inspiration porn. I’ve spoken about inspiration porn in the past. It’s those images you … Read more
Privilege is one of those discussions that seems to get people off-side very easily. People think because they are labelled “privileged”, it must mean they are well off and don’t face any problems. This is not the case. A person has privilege when they have an unearned advantage over other people. I have the privilege … Read more
Have you ever come across a poem that is so powerfully written that you feel completely overcome with emotion? Recently this poem was shared with me. Words so powerful, because I was reading something that echoed my own experiences. Words so powerful because I know I will never be in the way again, no longer … Read more
For some, having a disability can be exhausting enough because of the physical and mental toll it can take on the body. Although I have a physical disability, I’m fortunate it doesn’t impact me in that way. That’s not to say that it’s not exhausting; it’s just external things that I have to navigate as … Read more
