Valuing Abilities

In today’s world with cost cutting initiatives, the demand is to do more in less time, often sacrificing quality for quantity to achieve quick profit over sustainable profit. In this environment, it is easy for some people to be pushed aside. Have you noticed this trend in your organization?  Unfortunately, pushing people aside, commonly happens, because it is the easy thing to do. Some decision-makers do not have knowledge about those put at risk by their actions. I'm not suggesting it's personal, but rather than taking time to truly understanding the differences, skills, and value each individual employees brings, some are routinely pushed aside in cost-cutting initiatives; their valuable skills and contributions are discounted by lack of knowledge and understanding.

One demographic facing such challenges, in my opinion, is people with disabilities. They are often seen only for being disabled, which overshadows the abilities, value, and skills they possess. I believe during these challenging times, it is even more critical to educate leaders and decision-makers, who do not understand the value of utilizing the differences in everybody. Why? Vast pools of talent, innovative advances, and significant profits will be lost when we need them most!

One challenge the disabled face is those needing to be educated about the abilities of the disabled, choose the easy way out. It does take a little extra effort. Educating themselves is not important enough to put out the effort to gain accurate assess an individuals value and level of skills. People with disabilities are seen only for their disability, which overshadows their abilities.

Some of my observations that work against valuing abilities:

• Inaccessible tools lead to job retention, attraction and promotional opportunity challenges.

• Lack of knowledge about assistive technology and how it works and interacts with technologies by individuals who might be trying to help.

• When you’re in the minority, your voice is often squelched out and disregarded as inaccurate by the majority.

• Fear of the unknown and working with people who are perceived to be different.

How can we overcome the discrepancy of full inclusion? Get to know people for the value and skills they bring. Build considerations for people with disabilities into cost-cutting initiatives. Demonstrate the importance of taking the time to accept and understand the differences in everyone as a benefit and not a hindrance.

Do you have any ideas of how to educate the people who do not have time or feel it is important?
Do you have any thoughts to help others value the abilities of the disabled and others who are perceived to be different?

We look forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas, success stories and best practices to help educate all to acknowledge and value the abilities in everyone.

Bill Tipton

Contributing Author

Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

Comments

[Dan Kaufman]

Well said. This is definitely a challenge. In our community we try to accomplish this by creating one job opportunity at a time for our disabled youth and young adults. More and more we're including our disabled into the community in visible ways that begins to lessen the immunity to acknowledging them as full members of our community.