IN PRAISE OF
WORLD-RENOWNED DISABILITY ACTIVIST AND CONSULTANT, JOHN D. KEMP’S BOOK
For decades, I have been
involved in creating a better built environment for people with disabilities –
so they can more easily access jobs, education, recreation and daily activities
in their communities.
I also have long said
that corporate and civic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts fall flat if
they do not emphasize disability as a major aspect of DEI initiatives.
Now there is a book, a breezy read considering the wealth of outstanding information, statistics and anecdotes, that addresses the benefits of DEI through the lens of disability.
The book Disability
Friendly -- by John D. Kemp, Co-Founder of the American Association of
People with Disabilities – states the case for inclusion with spot-on statistics
plus easy-to-follow instructions for companies committed to disability
inclusion.
I agree with the press material
that states:
“Disability
Friendly shares why people with disabilities must not be left out of
America's work on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and explains how everyone
can harness the untapped potential of disabled employees, make reasonable
accommodations, and create cultures of dignity, respect, pride and inclusion."
Kemp also explains
Disability Culture from the perspective of a person with the lived disability
experience. and discusses the barriers and opportunities for accommodating the
millions of Americans with disabilities.
Published by Wiley, Kemp’s
book cuts to the bone with stats that must motivate a call to action:
“Although 90% of
organizations say they prioritize diversity, the unfortunate reality is that
only 4% consider disability in their DEI initiatives. People with disabilities
make up at least 15% of the population (more than 1 billion people worldwide)
yet are too often overlooked.
Saturday is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed worldwide and initiated by the United Nations.
Kemp's compact, compelling book was just published and it's a must-read for everyone who cares abut people with disabilities.
Kemp's clear prose makes it clear
that employing people with disabilities in an inclusive workplace is not simply
a benefit for wheelchair users and others with disabilities.
Inclusion benefits companies
in real dollars and helps fuel the economy via a more diverse workforce.
https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Disability+Friendly%3A+How+to+Move+from+Clueless+to+Inclusive-p-9781119830092
