The big 'D' in diversity, equity and inclusion

People with disabilities should be included in DE&I work, nonprofit COO says

What you probably already know: In the last five years, many companies have focused significant time, energy and money improving diversity, equity and inclusion. In fact, the global market for DE&I is expected to hit $15.6 billion by 2026. But one group continually gets left out of many DE&I discussions: People with disabilities. For Provail Chief Operating Officer Emily Cantrell, that’s unacceptable.

Why? Provail is a Seattle-based nonprofit that provides home care, technology, and other services for people with disabilities. “One in four Americans has a disability, yet there’s this huge stigma around it,” Cantrell said. Society was built around them, she says, and not for them. But she has some ideas on ways companies can better support employees with visible or invisible disabilities.

What it means: “Every organization should talk about it,” she says. “That’s the easiest thing to do: Just start the conversation.” That can help normalize having a disability and make people more comfortable asking for what they need to be successful at work. She also says flexible schedules and work-from-home options really helped people with disabilities during the pandemic. The employment rate for people with disabilities went up considerably at that time.

What happens now? Cantrell suggests leaders get educated on the issue, starting by reading “Demystifying Disability,” by Emily Ladau. She also suggests it’s important to ask questions. “I was a little nervous taking this role because I didn’t know how to communicate with someone who is nonverbal, so I’ve had to ask a lot of questions,” Cantrell said. She’s two years into the role and says she learns something every day. “Don’t be shy,” she says. “It’s OK to ask.”