Corporate Growth and the New Disability Narrative
As a new decade dawns and companies everywhere consider their corporate strategy, inclusion and diversity rise to the fore as a critical growth factor throughout the organization. Strategies like the New Disability Narrative are proving to be a vital component in guiding the way forward.
Though it’s less of a framework and more of a story (it is a narrative, after all), the new disability narrative takes its cue from the daily experiences of disabled individuals.
The old narrative, while not terrible, focused mostly on providing jobs for disabled people, period. The new approach recognizes that there’s more to it than job creation. To ensure success from every standpoint, we need to go deeper, to truly understand the challenges faced by disabled persons before we assimilate and adapt these lessons into the corporate culture.
A New Take on Business Intelligence
Today’s companies have their hands full. Meeting technological challenges and other initiatives of a tactical nature get a lot of screen time, but culture is a primary concern as well.
The job market is highly competitive, so providing a desirable workplace is doubly important. Today, this means much more than a decent salary and benefits. Employers need to consider the needs of their workforce on the same level as those of the organization.
From both standpoints, diversity and inclusion are essential. A diverse team might include individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, different genders, sexual orientations, religions, and individuals with disabilities, each contributing a unique perspective that supports company growth and brand approval.
In fact, there are numerous studies to support the idea that diverse teams that include disabled persons tend to innovate more, have a higher net worth, and appeal to a broader audience segment.
Global strategists at Accenture found that companies they consider to be Disability Inclusion Champions perform better financially. Such companies have, according to their report, 28 percent higher revenues and 30 percent higher profit margins than other companies – a significant finding no matter how you look at it.
When you consider that almost one in five Americans currently live with a disability, putting the new narrative into action is a unique opportunity to connect with a consumer market that is ready to embrace companies that support their goals, ideals, and dreams.
How ILA Supports the New Disability Narrative
Independent Living Association’s person-centered services are dedicated to fostering increased independence and community integration while guiding and supporting families along a challenging path. We play an essential role in preparing Individuals for employment, supporting them with the tools and confidence they need to be productive at work and fulfilled in their daily lives.
Critical diversity and inclusion strategies like the New Disability Narrative are a vital component of corporate as well as personal growth, but taking an inclusive approach is just the beginning. With the new narrative as a catalyst, companies stand to gain much across multiple areas of an organization. Not the least of these is the ability to offer a life of dignity and meaning to disabled individuals in their employ.
If you would like to learn more about ILA and how you can support our Individuals preparing for future employment, visit us today!
