South London Careers Hub’s Post

Great to see this!👏 In a recent feature by Business in Vancouver, the spotlight is on the transformative power of inclusive and accessible workplaces. Education's role in making this common practice is huge! By creating equal opportunities for all it helps prime the next generation to create an environment where everyone, including individuals with disabilities, feels valued and included. 💪 This initiative is not just about meeting legal requirements; it's about unlocking a diverse talent pool and fostering a culture of inclusivity. Bravo for these efforts towards building more accessible work environments. #Inclusivity #Accessibility #WorkplaceCulture" https://lnkd.in/eT7iaZAg

What does accessibility look like at... Home? Within Your Friend Group? Inside the Classroom? At Work? Born deaf and found out at 20 that I am losing my vision, I was fortunate to have parents who went above and beyond to ensure my sister and I had the necessary access to thrive—a privilege not everyone enjoys. My commitment to fostering inclusion and empowering individuals to excel encompasses several key initiatives: - Motivating the next generation to embrace inclusivity from a young age. - Providing college students with the tools to champion accessibility in their future workplaces. - Assisting corporations via Employee Resource Groups to cultivate environments where every contribution is valued. Whether you're a board member, a startup founder, or a student leader, you play an important role in shaping an accessible future. This is your invitation to connect with me, and let's chat about how we can collaborate on building a world that welcomes everyone. #AccessibilityMatters #AccessAndInclusion

Join Art Possible Ohio for a new professional development workshop designed for museums and arts and culture organizations.  Hiring and Keeping: Tips for creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace for individuals with disabilities October 16, 10AM - 4PM at Columbus Museum of Art  Workshop Description:  Disability inclusion can only happen when we consider who is at the table, who isn't, how the table was built and why. To create a truly inclusive workplace, we must unlearn traditional workforce structures and practices and rewire the way we think and work. This means pausing and re-examining what we prioritize in our organizational values and workflow. From recruitment, to the interview process, to hiring and training practices, this interactive workshop will offer participants resources for: Examining workplace practices with an accessibility lens Practical tips to improve internal and workforce accessibility in workplace practices Empowering participants to create change in their workplace practices Resources to support their institution’s accessibility journey The workshop will include movement around the Museum, small group activities, and lots of conversation. We'll end the day with a panel featuring local Columbus artists, professionals, and business owners.  Cost & Registration:  $25 for individual registration $45 for organizations (up to three people) Click here to register and learn more about the speakers and panelists!  Questions? Contact [email protected] If cost is prohibitive to you or your team, please let me know. We can help support your fees. Fee free to send this along to any colleagues at other institutions, should you see fit. We currently have about 20 spots left! 

Ten days left until the Ontario Corporate Training Centre (OCTC) information session! Are you an employment service professional? Have you registered yet? The OCTC team is hosting an information session for employment service providers (ESPs) to learn more about the project. This is a learning opportunity to help you grow both your knowledge, and your relationships with businesses in your community! When: Thursday, April 4 — 11 a.m. Where: Virtual, on Zoom (link provided after you register) Register today: https://lnkd.in/ebAm-fTB Here’s what the session will cover: –You’ll learn about the OCTC –Gain an understanding of its scope, objectives and the impact the OCTC intends to make –Insights on how collaborating with the OCTC can strengthen your relationships with businesses in your community –How the OCTC is reshaping workplace inclusion across Ontario by fostering collaboration between businesses and ESPs –How this ultimately can help enhance employer access to the disability talent pool The OCTC team’s looking forward to seeing you on Zoom, on April 4! [Image description] A bright yellow, light blue and dark purple graphic with geometric shapes advertising the information session. A purple and black OCTC wordmark is at the upper left against bright yellow. Information Session is in capital letters in white text against a light blue band below that. At the middle right in an octagonal shape there’s a photo of a worker with a development disability using a tablet while another employee looks on. The session information, time and date of the event is at the bottom left in white text against purple background.

**Supporting Individuals with Special Needs: A Collective Responsibility** Inclusion isn’t just a word; it’s an action. As professionals, educators, or even neighbors, we all play a critical role in creating an environment where individuals with special needs feel supported, respected, and empowered. 🔹 **Understanding Unique Strengths:** Each individual brings something valuable to the table. It’s vital to recognize and nurture their strengths, rather than focusing solely on their challenges. 🔹 **Building Accessible Opportunities:** Whether in the workplace, schools, or communities, providing adaptive tools and creating accessible spaces enables individuals to thrive. 🔹 **Creating Empathy-Driven Support Systems:** It’s not just about policies—it’s about human connection. Let’s foster environments where understanding, patience, and empathy are at the core of our interactions. Together, we can build a world where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, no matter their abilities. #inclusion #specialneeds

Yesterday, we celebrated the inspiring launch of Pathways to Possibility, an SSI-led Community of Practice and groundbreaking report. This initiative is dedicated to identifying and overcoming the barriers to economic participation faced by people with disability, while spotlighting innovative solutions and actionable strategies. The event was an engaging gathering of political leaders, businesses, community organisations, and people with lived experience of disability. Together, they shared best practices, explored opportunities, and celebrated success stories that are reshaping the landscape of inclusion and empowerment. The call to action for businesses is clear: commit to these four transformative steps: ⚡ Put disability inclusion at the heart of your business. ⚡Become disability confident. ⚡Empower your leaders to drive change. ⚡Create a safe, supportive, and accommodating culture. We at Ignite are especially proud to see our former IgniteAbility clients and advocates, Dwayne Fernandes, Co-Founder of Minds at Play, and Téa Rundback, Disability Sector Activist & Consultant, share their insights on the panel. Their voices and experiences exemplify the impact of empowering people with disability to lead, innovate, and thrive. 💡 Find out more about the Pathways to Possibility report here: https://lnkd.in/gdd9dNJZ 🔗 Discover more about the IgniteAbility program: https://lnkd.in/eFYenAVc Together, let’s build a future where economic participation is truly inclusive. #pathwaystopossibility SSI

From Ramps to Respect: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Social Accessibility Much work has been done, and many battles have been won in addressing physical accessibility. Buildings are now equipped with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms, ensuring that physical barriers are minimised. However, social accessibility remains an area that is often overlooked and underexplored. It's time to shed light on this crucial aspect of inclusivity and take actionable steps towards creating a truly accessible society. Social Accessibility: The Next Frontier While physical accessibility addresses structural barriers, social accessibility focuses on breaking down attitudinal and societal barriers that prevent full participation and inclusion. This involves: • Inclusive Policies: Developing policies that promote equality and prevent discrimination in all aspects of life, from employment to education. • Awareness and Education: Conducting training sessions and awareness programs to educate individuals about the importance of inclusivity and the social model of disability. • Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation of individuals with disabilities in community activities and decision-making processes. • Support Systems: Providing necessary support services such as sign language interpreters, accessible communication tools, and assistive technologies. Why Social Accessibility Matters A space that is physically accessible but socially exclusive fails to be truly inclusive. Social accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels valued, respected, and included. It addresses the invisible barriers that physical modifications alone cannot solve. The AccessFirst Initiative: Leading the Way At the AccessFirst Initiative, we are committed to pioneering social accessibility. Our EA Certification goes beyond physical compliance, integrating inclusive policies, staff training, and community engagement to create environments where everyone can thrive. Inviting Thoughts and Experiences Your insights and experiences on advancing social accessibility can be incredibly valuable. How have you or your organisation addressed social accessibility? What challenges and successes have you encountered? #Accessibility #Inclusivity #SocialResponsibility #AccessFirst #EnhancedAccessibilty #SeeBeyond #InclusiveDesign #DiversityAndInclusion Feel free to share your experiences and ideas on how we can further advance social accessibility in our communities

As a seasoned activist in the field of accessibility and inclusion and the founder of Billion Strong, I couldn’t agree more with the need to rethink and innovate our approach to accessibility. The progress we have made in physical accessibility is commendable, but it’s evident that social accessibility remains a critical and often neglected frontier. Physical modifications such as ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms are essential, but they are only the first steps towards true inclusion. Social accessibility requires us to dismantle the attitudinal and societal barriers that hinder full participation. It’s about fostering environments where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels valued, respected, and included. Support services like sign language interpreters, accessible communication tools, and assistive technologies play a vital role in this endeavor. They bridge gaps that physical accessibility alone cannot fill, addressing the invisible barriers that many still face daily. I’m looking forward to learning more about your efforts at AccessFirst Initiative Limited. We all have a role to play in advancing social accessibility. By sharing our insights and experiences, we can learn from each other and develop more effective strategies. Let’s continue to push for a future where accessibility encompasses both physical and social realms, ensuring true inclusion for everyone. #Accessibility #Inclusivity #SocialResponsibility #AccessFirst #EnhancedAccessibility #SeeBeyond #InclusiveDesign #DiversityAndInclusion #WeAreBillionStrong #BillionStrong #SDGs #Inclusion #AXSChat #GreenDisability #SocialAccessibility

Accessibility: How to Foster Inclusivity in Your Work

Today is World Day of Social Justice. 🌎 An awareness day that reminds us to build a more equitable society for all. Accessibility is often framed as only relevant to people who identify as #Disabled or people who have a #disability. When in reality, regardless of ability status, we all have access needs. Read this blog by Janine Driver (JD), Marketing & Communications Coordinator at ETR, where they break down the importance of equitable access in relation to events and convening groups of people. Estimated read time: 5 minutes. “When we work to create intentional spaces for people to learn in community with one another, we can better support them in building the relationships and networks they need to thrive.” 🔵 Read the blog: https://hubs.la/Q02lGvMY0 #WorldDayofSocialJustice #HealthEquity #Blog #Equity #HumanCentered #Accessibility #Justice #Equality #Inclusion #Intersectionality