Diversity with June Sarpong: why are people living with disabilities overlooked by business?

Synopsis

June Sarpong, author of Diversify, shares her personal experience of being disabled for four years after a car accident during her teenage years. She reflects on how people treated her differently, noting a 'dumbing down' in their reactions. This experience fuels her passion for advocating for the disabled community, emphasizing the need for leaders to champion disability inclusion in business. Sarpong critiques the current diversity and inclusion agenda, arguing against a hierarchy of inclusion that prioritizes gender and race over disability. She highlights the importance of having influential figures, like 500 Sheryl Sandbergs, advocating for disability rights. Erin Boyce, a registered blind apprentice at Alliance Learning, also shares her determination to live independently after college, illustrating the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Sarpong's insights challenge the notion of 'soft bigotry of low expectations' and call for a more inclusive approach to diversity in the workplace.