By Corey Schuler
Let’s tackle a tough one today, friends.
Ableism is defined by Dictionary.com as “the tendency to regard people with a disability as incomplete, diminished, or damaged, and to measure the quality of life with a disability against a nondisabled standard.”
As human beings, we all have a degree of bias, shaped by the infinite influences we absorb as we grow up. This isn’t ‘good’ or ‘bad’, this is simply how our brains work! However, where this can be harmful is not realizing these biases exist in our perception of the world, and not working to mitigate their influence on our lives.
There are countless studies documenting how diversely-abled people are deeply impacted by discrimination in the workplace, and that’s if they’re even afforded the opportunity to work! The ASCEND Collective is striving to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to work in a career they find fulfilling and financially rewarding.
We believe – no, we know – that there are a lot of missed opportunities in business because of unrealized ableism. We know our diversely-abled population has so much to offer, and we have tools to help candidates make those truths known in the workplace. When employers better understand and adopt a more flexible mindset, it opens the door to so many possibilities.
For our diversely-abled friends, if you’re struggling to aid employers see those dots connect, reach out to us and we can meet you where you’re at, to help get you where you want to be going. Employers, if you’re curious about those missed opportunities, we’d love to further empower your business.
Let’s talk.
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