Disability Is Diversity: A Call to Include People With Disabilities in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Abstract

Despite representing 25% of the US population and the largest minoritized group, people with disabilities (PWDs) are often excluded from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) discourse and initiatives. This lack of attention represents a critical gap given the stark employment disparities PWD continue to face since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits workplace discrimination based on disability status and mandates reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. This chapter outlines several recommendations and key considerations with regard to building a workplace culture that prioritizes disability equity and inclusion. Specifically, the authors call on organizations to normalize conversations surrounding disability and accessibility, adopt flexible workplace policies (e.g., remote work, flexible schedules), cultivate professional development opportunities and community (e.g., affinity groups, mentorship programs) for PWD, and incorporate targeted accessibility training into all DEI initiatives. The authors conclude by emphasizing that disability equity work must be rooted in a shift regarding how disability is perceived, such that disability is viewed as a critical dimension of human diversity rather than individual flaws that need to be accommodated. Ultimately, this chapter aims to promote a vision for an organizational culture that accepts PWD as who they are and empowers them to embrace their whole selves.