As we look toward the future the disability narrative will play a more crucial role in defining the ... [+]
The anthropologist Margaret Mead affirmed, "If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities…one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.” In this new era of work, the narrative of the disability experience provides a fresh perspective to help galvanize a new ethos that is redefining one’s relationship to how we engage in work and our ability to be more thoughtful about the employee's needs for the workplace of today and tomorrow.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, issues of workplace accommodations and accessibility were considered solely the domain of disability-specific issues. Yet, over the past couple of years, as business is beginning to chronicle a new story there is a radical shift happening in how people are engaging in the practice of work ranging from hybrid to remote models which are becoming more commonplace in this new work culture. With this new design of the labor force comes new challenges, and with new challenges comes opportunity.
In this contemporary working environment, companies are quickly beginning to evaluate what they need to be an employer of choice while gaining a competitive advantage. Executives and senior management need to see the power of the disability community as the key to unlocking the door that is the future of work. Molly Levitt, Director of the tech accelerator Remarkable Tech US probably said it best when she articulated that “Disabled people are creative masters of adaptation, embracing new technologies and spotting issues – whether or not they’re related to disability – that others might miss.” These remarks are indicative of a new spirit when it comes to the development of the Disability Economy, the idea that the disability narrative should be both a pathway towards more effective solutions for the future of work, as well as an essential ingredient in the cultural narrative of the digital economy of the 21st Century.
The Disability narrative has a moment to take center stage in helping to define the future of work. Drawing from the community’s experience will be an essential aspect of realizing a work culture that welcomes accessibility and accommodation as valued tools for the practice of business life rather than just an afterthought. At this moment when organizations are rethinking their own cultures, a key question is going to be how we look at the changing mechanics of work in this virtual world and translate the experiences of disability for practical usage.
We can use this time as we mark another National Disability Employment Awareness Month to try something new and offer a recalibration to change the power dynamic to accentuate persons with disabilities as true influencers in an evolving corporate culture. There has been a lot of time spent on reiterating the business case. While important, the disability community must look forward and highlight its value in these transformational moments.
Part of the growth of the Disability Economy is not just about the development of products and services, market potential, or even accessibility. It is about the intersection of shared values that provides an infusion to build a new cultural framework that will define the business ecosystem for years to come. This should be a clarion call for those across the disability community along with the entirety of the business milieu from corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and investors illustrating how each of these communities plays a critical role in the future of work. By assessing human variability, one creates an optimal atmosphere for both the employer and employee experience.
It is time to talk more about culture as a driving force for innovation and in the next Mindset Matters column, we will do just that. By taking a deeper dive into where this line of thinking is heading and how to initiate greater culture building around the disability narrative and other aspects of the future of work to provide an entry point for those participating in this new horizon.
