Organisational Strategies for Promoting Inclusive Environment for Differently-Abled

Organisational Strategies for promoting Inclusive Environment for Differently-abled

(Exploring Organizational Strategies for an Inclusive environment for

Differently-abled employees

to promote

Thought diversity and Innovation)

A Literature Review submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the

Master of Arts in Organizational Development, Change and Leadership

Deborpita Nandi - M2018OD012

Introduction

There are estimated to be about a billion people with disability throughout the world. They are usually provided for by government welfare but the level of support and understanding varies from country to country. It remains a challenge for the government to integrate such physically disabled into social life, and only a bare percentage of this group of the population have jobs.

The main problem is that communication between people with a disability and people without a disability is often hindered by stereotypes, prejudices and avoidance. Non-disabled people often don’t understand the wishes, needs and problems of people with a disability, because their lives are too dissimilar.

World Health Organization rightly relabelled Disabled to Differently-Abled, recognising the unpolished and unexplored talent pool the chunk of population contains. And case study analysis of Mirchi & Mime, Dialogue in the Dark, Lemon Tree Hotel chains, Uber/Ola has only reinforced this recognition. These organizations have utilized the digital revolution to include and employ differently-abled people into their organizations, and have come out with new innovative methods of creating a positive inclusive environment.

Disability or Differently-abled

The first thing that comes to mind when labelling someone as 'disabled' is the action itself. People aren't and shouldn't be labelled as anything, least of all disabled. When someone is diagnosed with a condition (like autism), they aren't autistic, they HAVE autism. Who they are as a person is not impacted by a medical condition and it surely doesn't contribute to their identity. While the labelling aspect is important to some, it isn't to most others. The term disabled has not been favoured in recent times with several alternatives cropping up. One of these is seeing more favour than others - 'differently abled'. This term is inclusive and offers an equal platform to those who fall under it.

People with mental or physical conditions are differently abled because they possess a unique set of abilities and perspectives. Everybody has ability and everybody matters, it's all about acknowledging it. 'Differently abled' doesn't hide the fact that your loved one has been diagnosed with a condition, but continues to empower them despite it. Oftentimes, differently abled people see what we can't, hear what we can't and think what we can't. This makes their ability different - not inferior, not superior - just different. The term differently abled recognises talent and value in everybody and treats them equally. While mental conditions like autism can affect certain everyday functions, it need not stop them from enjoying a fulfilling, enriched and loved life. Many differently people are known to flourish and rejoice in life with the right opportunity, support and love.