Additional information
by John D. Kemp (Author)
Create a true culture of inclusion
Although progress has been made around equality for many marginalized groups, people with disabilities are still massively underrepresented in organizations' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. People with disabilities make up at least 15% of the population, yet they are still too often overlooked. Many people with disabilities are highly motivated, create fantastic work, and add tremendous value to organizations.
Disability Friendly is a clarion call to businesses around the world to realize the opportunities presented by employing people with disabilities. It explains the potential of disabled employees, how to create a culture of inclusion, and, in the process, help people with disabilities become proud contributors.
In this book, you'll find:
- Concrete strategies for redesigning work and its processes to embrace all contributing citizens
- Ways to incorporate disability supports into a business' diversity and inclusion practices and initiatives
- Methods for reducing the massive cost associated with government disability support payments and repurpose these as investments in the human potential of people with disabilities
Ideal for executives, managers, and other business leaders, Disability Friendly will also earn a place in the libraries of Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources professionals seeking to make an impact on their company and on behalf of a marginalized group.
Front Jacket
In recent decades, tremendous progress has been made to establish equality for marginalized groups and communities defined by race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious belief, and other characteristics. It is now standard practice for business, nonprofit, and government employers to incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles and protocols in their organizations. Although 90% of organizations claim to prioritize diversity, the unfortunate reality is that only 4% consider disability in DEI initiatives. People with disabilities make up at least 15% of the population (more than 1 billion people worldwide) yet are too often overlooked.
In Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive, world-renowned disability activist and consultant John Kemp describes how employers can harness the untapped potential of disabled employees, make reasonable accommodations, and create cultures of dignity, respect, pride, and inclusion.
Drawing from his decades of experience helping thousands of leaders create disability-friendly organizations, the author identifies the roadblocks to understanding and engaging people with disabilities, offers proven approaches for overcoming the initial discomfort people may have working with disabled colleagues, and demonstrates how businesses, schools, government, churches, and other organizations can open up to the contributions and talents of people with disabilities.
The first book of its kind to explain the opportunity in hiring and accommodating the millions of Americans with disabilities, Disability Friendly is essential reading for DEI, human resources, information/technology professionals and leaders who care about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but have not yet fully incorporated people with disabilities into their strategies and practices.
Back Jacket
Praise for Disability Friendly
"Disability Friendly is a brilliant blueprint for disability inclusion that guides and emboldens us to drive change for the benefit of all. No one brings more credibility and insight to this subject than Kemp. Disability Friendly provides not only a compelling rationale for inclusion but also the tried-and-true tools to transform any organizational culture to be inclusive of people with disabilities. Inclusive leadership will simply win out over traditional practices. Get it and you'll see!"
--CARI M. DOMINGUEZ, Corporate Director and Chair, NACD Center for Inclusive Governance; Former Chair, U.S. EEOC
"I applaud my friend and mentor John Kemp for inspiring further inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. We know that when people view their disability as a strength, they can bring their authentic selves to work, which improves productivity, fosters innovation, and drives financial success."
--JILL D. HOUGHTON, President and CEO, Disability: In
"John is visionary, pragmatic, and charming and has had a phenomenal impact on our movement for decades. I am grateful for this book and for the generosity, passion, and value that John brings to the global effort to make disability inclusion more of an expected business competence."
--ANDY IMPARATO, former President and CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities; Executive Director, Disability Rights California
"Based on his lived experiences, John Kemp provides a unique perspective for any organization committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities. He brings his deep expertise to provide a practical guide for leaders who see disability inclusion as a competitive advantage for the success of their organizations. Written with candor and clarity, Disability Friendly is a must-read, must-have book for any twenty-first century leader."
--ROHINI ANAND, Former SVP Corporate Responsibility and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo; Board Member, Sanofi and Charter Communications DEI Advisory Boards
Author Biography
JOHN D. KEMP is widely respected as a leader in the disability movement for more than forty years. John currently serves as president and CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, an organization providing opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to lead healthy, active, independent lives. As a co-founder of the American Association of People with Disabilities and as an international speaker and disability rights leader, John serves as a catalyst for change and increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.
