Event Recap: Diversability Unplugged: Disability & Corporate Leadership
October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), observed annually to celebrate the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present and showcase supportive, inclusive employment policies and practices that benefit employers and employees. This year’s theme was "Advancing Access and Equity."
On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 7-8:30pm ET / 4-5:30pm PT, we hosted Diversability Unplugged: Corporate Leadership and Disability Inclusion, in partnership with Walmart’s #CreateSparks initiative, for a panel discussion on how we can foster a more disability-inclusive workplace in the corporate world and how that can be applied in other spaces as well. #CreateSparks is a community initiative imagined by Walmart to inspire emerging leaders to take action.
We discussed topics such as career trajectories, disability in the workplace, sponsorship, the importance of leadership and representation, and advice for the next generation of aspiring professionals.
Panelists included:
Claudia Gordon, Senior Accessibility Strategy Partner at T-Mobile
Dave Dame, Senior Director of Product Accessibility at Microsoft
Hillary Wool, Principal at Boston Consulting Group
Ashley C. Hall, Director, Sustainable Packaging at Walmart
This conversation was moderated by Zoya Rukh Awan, Director of Public Affairs at Walmart.
We began with introductions from our speakers:
Zoya Awan: Zoya works at Walmart and directs external partnerships with the disability community. She appreciates the power of connections over tea and values diversity and intersectionality in her work.
David Dame: David is the Senior Director of Product Accessibility at Microsoft. He has cerebral palsy and shared his journey from being underestimated as a child to becoming a leader at Microsoft.
Claudia Gordon: Claudia is a senior accessibility strategy partner at T-Mobile. She shared her experience of growing up in Jamaica, becoming deaf, and her journey to a career in accessibility and inclusion.
Ashley Hall: Ashley works at Walmart and is passionate about sustainability. She shared her health challenges, including primary adrenal insufficiency, and how Walmart supported her during her illness.
Hillary Wool: Hillary is a principal at the Boston Consulting Group, where she focuses on disability inclusion and public sector and healthcare practices. She acquired disabilities after an infection and is dedicated to improving healthcare services and workplace inclusion for people with disabilities.
The panelists then shared their experiences and insights related to disability and inclusion in the workplace. They talked about the importance of accommodations, the challenges faced by junior employees with disabilities, the need for inclusive office spaces, and the value of employee resource groups (ERGs) in driving change. Claudia mentioned the significance of listening sessions to gather feedback from employees with disabilities and influence change.
We then discussed sponsorship and mentorship in the context of career development, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Ashley talked about the importance of focusing on her abilities and career goals when discussing her disability with leadership. Zoya discussed the need for accessible spaces in the workplace. Hillary emphasized the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. Claudia mentioned her network of mentors both within and outside her company, as well as the need for inclusive leadership development programs. Hillary also mentioned the concept of a "kitchen cabinet" of trusted advisors and the need to design programs with disability in mind.
During the Q&A, the panel discussed strategies for protecting one's mental health while dealing with the added responsibility of educating employers and supporting oneself as a disabled employee. Claudia emphasized finding balance, taking personal time for mental well-being, and relying on a "kitchen cabinet" of trusted advisors. Dave suggested setting boundaries and remembering that work is just a part of one's life. Ashley mentioned using meditation, understanding physical reactions, and identifying core emotions. She also emphasized the importance of identifying sources of joy.
The panelists then discussed addressing accessibility issues in traditional career networking events. Ashley mentioned virtual networking events and two-minute random connects as potential solutions. Zoya suggested reviving and improving virtual networking opportunities, ensuring they are accessible and inclusive. Dave pointed out the newfound empathy that emerged during the pandemic, when non-disabled individuals had to adapt to remote work and different ways of networking. He encouraged the continued use of these remote networking options to support people with disabilities.
Zoya addressed a question about whether businesses support, promote, and purchase from other suppliers that employ people with disabilities and whether they create products benefiting the disability community. Zoya mentioned Walmart's supplier diversity team, which actively seeks to include diverse businesses, including those owned by people with disabilities, in their ecosystem. She emphasized the need for these businesses to be "Walmart ready" in terms of scale and scope. Zoya mentioned other options like the Walmart marketplace and expressed Walmart's commitment to empowering diverse businesses beyond traditional supplier relationships.
The final question was about seeking advice for disability advocates within a company when encountering leadership that insists on perfection in new initiatives and fears that a failed or unsuccessful initiative will discourage future efforts. The panel discussed this issue, with Claudia emphasizing the importance of allowing room for both success and failure to truly understand what is possible. She highlighted the need for disability inclusion to go beyond just hiring a few individuals and encompass a broad spectrum of specialties. Ashley shared an example of how informal innovations and improvements can benefit everyone, making the case that taking small steps to test and learn can lead to win-win situations.
The panelists shared their "why" and mantras as follows:
Zoya's "why" is loving God, and her mantra is "Always do your best."
Hillary's "why" is equity, and her mantra is "Just keep swimming."
Claudia's "why" is believing that "we are enough, and we are worthy," and her mantra is "Everything is possible."
Ashley's "why" is to help people feel comfortable using their voices, and her mantra is "Use your voice."
Dave's "why" is to help people with disabilities achieve more, and his mantra is "Imagine a different world, and work toward making that imagined world a reality."
Zoya closed by thanking everyone for participating and encouraging the audience to create sparks of inspiration as they continue their journeys.
Watch the full recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY4bRooBx7A