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November 26, 2008
When You know You're Included
Jo Taliaferro, an eSight member, has said that you can usually tell if a company's culture is truly inclusive by the attitudes within the group.
I agree with Jo. A company can widen its doors, build ramps and provide adaptive technology, but, demonstrating accessibility is not as important as how people within that work group act. More often than not, those actions more accurately reflect the level of awareness those individuals possess. And that level of awareness influences attitudes.
Actions are more easily measured than attitudes. So, Thanksgiving week in the U.S. may be a good time to count the little (and big) ways that have helped us feel truly included -- surprising moments for which we are thankful.
Here are some examples of inclusion, based on the real-life experiences of eSight members:
"Your colleagues sometimes call you, even if they are out of the office at the time, just to check with you about how to solve sticky situations customers are having with your company's new software."Without reminding your boss's administrative assistant, you automatically receive customer care reports in a large print format at routine staff meetings.
"One of your colleagues tips you off that you've been standing very close to your supervisor whenever you chat with each other around the coffee machine. He says he realizes you're trying to read your boss's expressions, but he wonders if your supervisor feels like you're invading his personal space at times. He offers to help you with this matter any way he can.
"You screw up on a weekly report to your supervisor, and he calls you on it -- just like he does when other members of your team miss the mark.
"Your neighbors go out for a beer to a local dive and invite you to come along, even though they know one of them will need to guide you at times, especially in getting a seat at the crowded bar.
"You supervisor encourages you to participate in the local chapter of a national professional association you joined seven years ago. You're also on the rotation in your workgroup for taking turns at attending the association's national conference, which offers professional development opportunities.
"Your department has a "tailgate party" to celebrate the upcoming Super Bowl game. One of the activities is a ping pong tournament. You're able to participate, thanks to some interesting modifications to the game.
"Like other colleagues, you've received several promotions during the seven years, even though you have a visual impairment. You start out as a telephone receptionist and finally end up as an administration manager. " Josh, the self-appointed office prankster, temporarily hides your cane when you're about to go on break. You reach for it several times, finally realize Josh is up to his old tricks and start to laugh as you pretend to accidentally step on his toes. He hands the cane to you, and others in the room laugh with you.
"Your supervisor asks you to be on a committee to review the strategic plan for your department.
You probably have an example from your experience that helped you feel "part of the group." Please share it with us.
When have you felt included by others around you, despite your visual impairment?
Add your comments to this posting
Posted by Jim Hasse at November 26, 2008 10:08 AM
Comments
I have been working at Padre Conceicao College Of Engineering since August 1998. Initially I was working as a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, and than because of the seriousness of my visual impairment(due to retinitis pigmentosa), I was shifted to Library Admin. section in September 2007. In all my 9 years of service, I never felt I was visually impaired, for the people around me are so loving and caring. They guide me whenever I am in any sort of trouble, and many a time anticipate my problems. I am indeed very lucky to be in such a great environment, and I wish every visually impaired person gets such a great working environment. The address of my college is: Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Agnel Ashram, Verna, Salcete, Goa, India-403722
Posted by: Arun Torgal at November 26, 2008 11:52 PM
Something that immediately comes to mind here is Center for Independent Futures, the nonprofit organization at which I work part-time and have been involved with since about late 2002. Center for Independent Futures is an organization which seeks out living options for people with special needs, and assists them to live full and independent lives. We have remained a nonprofit due to the extreme lack of quality services for people with special needs offered by our state. Every time a potential new staff member is interviewed, everyone including the residents is involved in some way. Some residents may not be as involved as others in the hiring process, but the point I'm trying to make here is that our input is always requested in some way or another. This is something which is lacking in other agencies. One such agency that comes to mind is voc/rehab. Each state may handle VR services differently, but I can tell you all from experience that my state VR agency is lousy. They don't seek input from the so-called consumers, and I think that is something which needs to change. I feel we as consumers have the right to be involved in the decision-making process at all levels. In addition, we need to be notified of any personnel changes. I'm happy to report that at CIF, everybody is kept very well informed.
Posted by: Jake at December 3, 2008 10:56 PM
At a prior job I was feeling the noninclusive atitudes until someone decided to break away and invite me to a night of clubbing with co workers. I was comfortable being myself, enjoyed dancing, laughing and telling jokes. I had fun and suddenly I seemed more like everyone else to everyone else. I thanked the coworker that did the initial invite and asked what had prompted him to invite me when no one else had. The reply was you are so much fun at work I just knew you had to be more fun outside of work and this crowd needed some fun people to join it. Even though, I had been myself and not tried to put up some atitude or personality I just hadn't been able to break through to those other co workers. Before the invite, I had thought of strategies to create different environments for more interaction with those coworkers that might had worked, well at least I hoped they would; such as holding my birthday party at a local club, inviting some to go swimming in the summer or suggesting we put on a departmental program during a holiday.
Posted by: Rosie at July 6, 2009 04:35 PM