Tag: education

How Businesses Can Include People with Disabilities

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment
This article was originally published on July 14, 2021, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

Invalids equal in rights in the balance with healthy people. Concept of social equality of disabled people in society

In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on social issues of diversity and inclusion, particularly in the workplace. This is especially apparent when discussing equality across boundaries of gender, race, and sexual orientation. However, disability is often neglected.

To understand disability, it’s important to first define it. According to the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a person with a disability is defined as a person who has “long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”

The World Bank estimates that around 15% of the population—more than one billion people worldwide—live with a disability. However, only a small percentage of businesses consider disability in their diversity initiatives. To be truly inclusive, businesses can increase their efforts in showing that they truly see the value in everyone.

One of the best ways to do so is to be open to more potential employees. This is especially apparent in the recruitment process, where potential employees with disabilities may be discouraged to even apply due to generic job descriptions—which may list physical tasks such as driving, typing, lifting, or the ability to sit for long periods of time. To be more inclusive, companies should be more considerate and should not include these generic descriptions, especially if the role does not actually demand them.

Another great way to increase diversity includes creating more accessible workplaces. For instance, workplaces should include both stairs and elevators. Assistive technology should also be readily available. People with disabilities need to feel included and comfortable, and the office design needs to take all of this into consideration.

There are many ways for a workplace to broaden accessibility and inclusivity. In doing so, businesses become a pillar of strength in the community by helping to prioritize diversity across the spectrum.

The Importance of Diversity in the Classroom

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment

This article was originally published on April 9, 2021, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

The world is having very important conversations regarding diversity right now, making it the perfect time to touch on social injustices, prejudices, and stereotyping in one of the most important places in our society—the classroom. Growing up as a first-generation Asian American, I didn’t always feel welcome in the classroom in elementary and middle school. This was partly due to the lack of lessons to help other students understand diversity.

There are so many opportunities for teachers to create lessons and activities that celebrate other cultures, religions, nationalities, and personal decisions, which will help create a comfortable and safe environment for everyone in the classroom. Most importantly, teachers will be able to nurture a more tolerant and understanding generation of students.

One of the best ways to break down prejudices and stereotypes is through literature. Students can benefit from being exposed to more books that touch upon tolerance, prejudices, racism, and stereotyping. Some popular choices include books such as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hate U Give, and Don’t Call Me Special.

Another great way to increase awareness of other cultures is to share and celebrate each other’s holiday traditions. Questions such as where the holiday originated from and why people celebrate it will help students gain a deeper understanding of a variety of nationalities, religions, and holidays.

However, the best way to nurture culturally sensitive and understanding students is by being a positive role model. By actively standing against racism and prejudices, teachers will introduce important concepts about identity, culture, and tradition to their students, which will then influence their behavior in the future.

How Diversity Leads to Greater Awareness, Understanding, and Acceptance

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment

This article was originally published on October 31, 2020, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

While diversity may not necessarily be an unfamiliar concept, especially for those of us who live in more liberal states or come from more openminded cultural backgrounds, it is still important to recognize the positive impact that it has on us in our day-to-day lives.

If I can only choose one take-away from the conversations surrounding diversity, it will definitely be the way diversity improves our ability to think outside of the box and communicate effectively.

Let’s take a look at schools, for instance.

Historically, culturally diverse academic campuses offer a more robust educational experience, since students have the opportunity to interact with peers and mentors that come from different backgrounds and upbringings. This is especially true for students who may have previously been raised amongst people of similar racial, cultural, or socioeconomic backgrounds.

A diverse academic environment allows these students to come into contact with peers that they haven’t interacted with before, which in turn can challenge and dispel predisposed stereotypes about certain races, ethnicities, cultures, or economic upbringing. These interactions will also allow them to be more collaborative and will also present students with the opportunity to view things from a different perspective, skills that are very crucial to future success, especially in the workforce.

Most notably, diversity helps us understand and accept differing beliefs and perspectives, which thereby encourages us to become more aware and empathetic.