Worried about saying the wrong thing? Accidentally offending someone? You're not alone. The problem is that we can avoid the subject of disability altogether rather than risk using inappropriate terminology. The most important thing is intention. Intending to be supportive and accidentally using the wrong word is more likely to be forgiven if the positive … Continue reading Quick and dirty guide to inclusive terminology
Category: Attitudes Around Disability
Group of engineers in front of construction site Ros has worked in the rail sector for years and has always been a role model for gender diversity. Over time she’s also acquired a physical impairment, which has caused her to experience considerable barriers in the workplace. She has taken these challenges in her stride and … Continue reading Disabled women in engineering – Ros’s story
Won’t employing disabled people hold us back? Evidence shows that disabled people are, on average, just as productive as non-disabled people. We have less time off sick, fewer workplace accidents and stay in their jobs longer. Having a diversity of thought can challenge ‘group think’ and enable creativity and innovation. And having internal intelligence can … Continue reading Answers to the questions you really want to ask!
I got asked an interesting question this week: “How do disabled candidates feel about seeing employers publicising work relating to other areas of inclusion… say the race pay gap or work on LGBTQ?” The simple answer is that it depends on the individual. But it raises some interesting questions. Without working within an organisation, we … Continue reading “Sorry, we are ‘doing race’ this year…”
When you work for the NHS you are taught that you don’t matter. Patients come first. But what makes the NHS remarkable isn’t its size or the ethos of healthcare for all (although that’s hard to beat). It’s the people who work in it. They are remarkable. And it wasn’t until I left, that I … Continue reading Disability and the NHS – it isn’t just about the patients
L&Q has partnered with two leading not-for-profit organisations to ensure it is offering the best service to its disabled staff and residents. As part of their disability inclusion initiative, L&Q will work with Evenbreak, to reach and retain more talented disabled people. L&Q is also working with disability charity Scope to develop housing advice content for its … Continue reading Housing Association giant L&Q commits to disability inclusion with Evenbreak
I hear so many recruiters say they are looking for 'culture fit' when assessing candidates. Is this wise? In my experience, very rarely. Culture is defined as "the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs of a particular group of people at a particular time" in the Cambridge English Dictionary. Or, put more … Continue reading How wise is recruiting for ‘culture fit’?
A few years ago, if I had asked employers about their approach to diversity, most would have said it wasn't relevant to them. Business is about making profit, delivering products or services and getting the best people for the job. They weren't interested in inclusion or having a diverse workforce - they just wanted to … Continue reading Can you be ‘a little bit inclusive’?
I had a really interesting conversation with some disabled friends recently about inclusive language. The timing was interesting, as it was shortly after hearing of the sad death of Mike Oliver, who was instrumental in promoting a new way of thinking about disability in the 1980s, called the social model of disability. Up to this … Continue reading How important is language?
Naidex is Europe's largest disability event for trade, healthcare professionals and end-users. Taking place at Birmingham's NEC on the 26th & 27th March, Naidex gathers innovation, information, cutting edge suppliers, and the most inspirational speakers from around the world to one venue, over two unforgettable days It’s an important event in Evenbreak’s calendar, and we’re involved on … Continue reading We’re going to Naidex – are you?